AP Literature
One to the World: Contemporary Issues
For this final project in AP Literature, you will investigate a real-world problem related to an issue encountered
in one of the works we read this year. After researching the issue as it relates to contemporary life, you will
create an actionable solution to address (or begin to address) the contemporary issue. Finally, you will share
your research and solution with other students in AP Literature via online discussion, allowing for peer
feedback. You may work independently, with a partner, or in a trio—no groups larger than three.
Content Competencies:
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interpretation of a piece of literature that is based on a careful observation of textual details,
considering the work’s structure, style and themes.
interpretation of a piece of literature that is based on a careful observation of textual details,
considering the work’s social, cultural and/or historical values.
Part 1: Statement and Analysis of Problem—due May 16/17
Write a 1-2 page explanation of your problem, incorporating the following:
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What work(s) of literature your contemporary problem is found in;
How the issue is integral to the literary work (you may consider relevance to the author and/or time
period);
How/why the issue is still relevant;
Relevant research (such as statistics) related to your problem and why it is important to solve.
Part 2: The Product—posted online by May 30 (both A and B day classes)
Create a concrete, actionable solution to the problem. This could include a letter-writing campaign, a YouTube
video, a letter to the editor of a local or national newspaper, petition, pamphlet, fundraiser, work of fiction to
raise awareness, etc. This product must be available in electronic format (either attachment or an online link)
and will be shared with other sections of AP Literature via online forum. You must include a Works Cited page
to credit any outside sources you consulted or quoted.
Part 3: The Response—due by June 3 at 4 p.m.
Using the online forum, respond to the projects of 5 other students. Your response to each of the five projects
should be comprised of a well-constructed paragraph and include insightful and constructive feedback. This
can include additional information about the project’s topic, an insightful question, a suggestion for further
action, links to other works of literature that exemplify the problem, etc. Each individual student must reply to
five projects.
Grading (summative): 225 points
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Statement and Analysis of Problem: 50 points
Finished product: 100 points
Bibliography / Works Cited: 25 points
Responses to 5 posted projects: 50 points
Rubric for Finished Product
Connection to
Theme
Concrete,
Actionable
Insight / detail
Format
Above
Expectations
(25)
Finished product
contains an
explanation of the
problem, including
why it is a problem
and the impacts it
has or may have on
society if not
addressed, fully
contributing to
audience awareness
and engagement.
The finished product
should be a concrete
and actionable item
that audience can
act upon
immediately if
desired. The solution
should be relevant to
the problem.
The finished product
reflect independent
thought and
problem-solving that
delves beyond
obvious solutions
that already exist.
Themes that
emerged in the
literature are
apparent, even if
only implicitly.
Project makes full
use of chosen format
/ medium to raise
audience’s
awareness of the
issue and drive the
call to action. Project
is professional and
free of grammatical
and other errors.
Meets
Expectations
(20)
Finished product
contains an
explanation of the
problem, including
causes and possible
repercussions. At
times, audience
engagement falls
short.
Finished product
contains a solution
to the problem, but
it may not be within
the scope of
possibility. The
solution is relevant
to the problem, even
if only in theory.
The finished product
reflects independent
thought and
problem-solving to
provide a practical
solution to the
problem.
The project makes
use of the chosen
format / medium to
raise awareness of
the issue, but it does
not completely
utilize the potential
of the chosen
medium. One or
more errors may
mar the overall
quality.
Below
Expectations
(15 and
below)
The finished product
does not contain an
implicit or explicit
statement of the
problem; the
audience is left
guessing or
confused.
The finished product
is not concrete or
not actionable; the
lack of complete
information would
make it difficult or
impossible for an
audience to act upon
this issue.
The finished product
may address the
issue, but it does not
add significant
insight to the
problem or solution
other than what
already existed.
The project does not
make full use of the
chosen format or
medium. Though it
may raise
awareness, it falls
flat, leaving
audiences
disengaged. Several
errors detract from
the product.
AP Literature: One to the World Contemporary Problem
May 10/11: Three-Paragraph Journal: Consider the issues raised in three of the works that we have read this
year in AP Literature. Brainstorm three contemporary problems present in those works and briefly examine
how those problems are still visible or relevant in society today. Here is a list of what we have read:
The Things They Carried
Ethan Frome
Their Eyes Were Watching God
The Grapes of Wrath
Lie of Pi
Oedipus Rex
Othello
Death of a Salesman
Metamorphosis
“Greasy Lake”
“A&P”
“Harrison Bergeron”
“The One Who Walk Away from Omelas”
“Sweat”
“The Storm”
“Civil Peace”
“The Chrysanthemums”
“Young Goodman Brown”
“A Clean, Well-lighted Place”
“The Five-Forty-Eight”
“The Story of an Hour”
“Paul’s Case”
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Information for May 30/31: Posting to the Online Forum
Once your project is completed, you must post it to the online forum for the rest of the classes to examine. To
do this, you must be enrolled in Edmodo. Go to Edmodo.com, choose student, fill in all that is asked and the
code is arny32. Once that is completed it should take you to the page where you will post your projects and
reply to peers projects. Be sure to write down your user name and password for use as you continue.
1st - Where it says “Type Your Note Here” create a title that captures includes the title of the piece of
literature used and the type of issue your project is about.
2nd - Attach your 1-2 page Statement and Analysis of Problem.
3rd - Attach your product as an attachment, or link it.
4th – Under “send to” choose AP OTTW, then click send. (If you did everything properly, the title and
attachments/links should appear.)
To reply to a post, simply click on the post and click “reply.”
Remember, your five replies must be done individually, even if you worked in a group on the rest of your
project.