Legend Research Paper/Presentation
Topic: Conspiracy theory, mystery, myth or urban legend.
We’ve been reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a story Washington Irving wrote combining both fact and
fiction. There are many other “legends” out there worthy of exploring, though. This research
paper/presentation will ask you to do just that.
During your research paper, you must not only present the background information on the “legend” but take a
position on the legend as well. Here you will be making a claim, presenting evidence you’ve compiled through
research, and refuting the opposition.
This project is worth a major project grade. It will be both an essay and a presentation. The paper will be
due the day after we read and take the final unit test on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Presentations will
also begin the day after the unit.
Research/Position Paper & Presentation Guidelines
CONTENT
With your final paper, you must hand in the following: Research notes, outline or rough draft, & works cited
FORMATTING AND LENGTH
The final paper is 4-6 pages. Your paper must be double spaced using a readable 11 – 12 point font (Times New
Roman, Calibri, Arial, etc.). You should put page numbers with your last name at the bottom right hand side of
the paper (Zeruth 2).
WORKS CITED
You will need 3 – 5 sources on your final works cited page. It must be in proper MLA format. WIKIPEDIA is NOT
PERMITTED.
ILLUSTRATIONS, ETC.
Illustrations, charts, graphs, cartoons, etc., may be used but will not count in the page count of text. They must
be cited in the proper MLA format.
CLAIM/THESIS
You cannot merely provide the background or history of your topic. You must attempt to prove something and
take a position on the legend (i.e. you must prove that your topic somehow happened or didn’t happen).
PRESENTATION
Along with the completion of your paper, you must also create a presentation giving both the background of
the legend as well as your position on the legend. You may use PowerPoint, Prezi, or another presentation
tool. The presentation should be 3 – 5 minutes in length, contain appropriate images, and include a works
cited page (the same one you used for your essay). Your presentation may follow the same outline as your
paper.
Presentation reminders:
 Keep your slides free of wordiness but elaborate on each slide (say more than what is on the slide).
 Utilize images to enhance what you are saying.
 Use a background and colors that are not distracting to the audience.
 Remember to talk to your audience and not read off of the screen.
 Be excited. Don’t act like you’d rather be somewhere else.
Essay Outline
Introduction:
a. Hook / attention getter
b. Give a very brief overview of you legend
c. Describe what theories are out there about your legend
d. State your position on your legend (what theory do you believe and preview the evidence
that will help you explain why you believe this)
Part II: Background of Legend:
a. Provide the necessary background information for your audience to understand your
legend. Write as though your audience hardly knows anything about your legend.
Part III: Alternate theories
a. Provide a summary of 1 – 2 other theories about this legend. You will be reading and
summarizing what others have written about the legend.
b. Explain why you think these theories are wrong. Why is the evidence for them not
relevant, reliable, accurate, etc.?
Part IV: Claim/Evidence: This is the most important part of your paper. You will be trying to prove why
your position on the legend is the right one. You must have reliable and logical evidence to
support your position.
a. State your claim
b. Introduce first piece of evidence
a. Explain first piece of evidence
c. Introduce second piece of evidence
a. Explain and elaborate on second piece of evidence
d. Introduce third piece of evidence
a. Explain and elaborate on second piece of evidence
Conclusion
a. Restate your thesis (position and evidence)
b. Briefly discuss alternate theories and why they were wrong
c. End with a “So What” (i.e. Why does this all matter?) that goes beyond the paper
SUGGESTED TOPICS
Following are some suggested topics for this assignment. It is your responsibility to carefully consider each
topic and anticipate any difficulties in locating sources for this project. Please make an educated choice in an
area that you have interest in studying. You may use a topic that is not on the list, but please run it by me first.
Possible Legend Topics
Jackalope
Walt Disney Cryogenically Frozen
Bigfoot
Hudson River Monster
Legend of Paul Revere
Betsy Ross and the First American Flag
George Washington and the Cherry Tree
Marilyn Monroe killed by the Kennedys
Area 51
Hidden symbols on the dollar bill
Pecos Bill
Lost Dutchman Mine
Area 51/ Antigravity
Lycoming county ghost stories
Roswell Crash
ESP
Death of Marilyn Monroe
Bigfoot
Assasination of JFK
The Nazca Lines
Cibola
The Crystal Skulls
Crop Circles
Borden murders in Fall River
Jack the Ripper- Who was he?
Is Elvis Dead?
The Bilderbergs
Men in Black
Who built the pyramids?
Freemason Society (Knights Templar)
Ancient Astronauts
The Holy Grail
Skinwalker
Moon Landing
The Chupacabra
CIA Mind Control (MKU Ultra)
Vampires
Secret Weaponry
Jersey Devil
Reverse engineering of alien technology
Montauk/ Philadelphia Experiment
CIA Psychic Research and Remote Viewing
Skull and Bones Society
Amelia Earhart
Bermuda Triangle
Stonehenge
Easter Island
Georgia Guidestones
Voynich Manuscript