Consumption vs. Conservation: Individual Research Report (IRR) and Group Presentation
Good job so far!
You have researched from different perspectives, written individual essays, and synthesized these viewpoints into a visually enhanced
group presentation. Though we will eventually do argumentative essays, to date, we have focused on expository and, with this new
assignment, compare/contrast.
This second round of research and reporting is geared to give you more control over the use of your skills while still helping you prepare
for the three rounds of AP Seminar tests that start in February. Unlike the wolf assignment, in this one you are allowed to choose the
three other people you will work with and a topic from the list below where you and your group will create a research question as well as
a thesis (refer to mini-lesson material). Each individual will also choose his/her unique perspective to research and write from (use the
list I gave you or see me if you want to use a different one).
Your communal thesis will need to incorporate both consumption and conservation aspects of your topic but your individual
research will only focus on one: two members will focus their unique perspectives on consumption and the other two will focus
their unique perspectives on conservation, giving the group four perspectives where two support consumption and two support
conservation. Your group will present these controversies (see graphic organizer).
Like the wolf assignment, you will write an individual research report (IRR) using a unique perspective that will be synthesized into a
group presentation (the AP Seminar final will have your group synthesize these essays into one big communal essay as well, but I am not
going to have you learn this just yet). This IRR will be 800 words (+/- 10%) and will use four sources. I will not supply the sources this
time. You will have to find four credible sources that support your perspective and help you answer your research question (refer to
mini-lesson material).
Topics (choose one and write down research question and thesis):
 Biodiversity
 Climate change
 Water
 Genetically modified food
 Health care issues
 Nuclear proliferation
 Projecting power (worldwide)
 Sustainable development
 World hunger
Perspectives (choose one per individual, four total for group; discuss which four would be the best to use):
 Feminist
 Queer
 Marxist
 Historical
 Deconstruction
 Archetypal/mythical
 Cultural
 Post-colonialism
 Modern/post-modernism
 Four credible sources for evidence
 Analysis of your evidence that
constantly refers back to your group’s
thesis
 Transitions between sources
 A conclusion that ties this perspective to
your group’s thesis
 Evidence supports thesis for both
controversies
 Analysis shows how evidence supports
consumption and conservation (aka
WARRANT in argumentation)
 Transitions are clever and clear
 Strong eye contact and voice levels
 Visuals that are perfectly edited and
enhance meaning
 Excellent poise and professionalism
 Conclusion needs to state why one side
is better than the other and give reasons
(related to a CALL TO ACTION used in
argumentation)
IRR requirements:
 Thesis for your essay (btw: this would
become a topic sentence for your group
synthesis essay)
 800 words (+/- 10%), the default
settings for your writing app
Group presentation requirements:
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10-15 minutes
Each member contributes equally
Introduction hooks viewers
Thesis is explicit and includes both
consumption and conservation
surrounding topic (aka CLAIM in
argumentation)
Names:
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Topic:
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Research question:
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Perspectives:
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Line of reasoning (see mini-lesson materials):
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Conclusion statement:
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Due date to be determined. All work will be turned in--essays via turnitin.com
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