Markville Secondary School: Liter8 Program
International Business Article Presentation
Created by: B. Timm 2007 (with credit to C. Date: Nov. 12th, 2007
Sharp for the original rubric and general
guidelines that were modified / significantly
expanded to fit this course)
Liter8 Skills:
‘I’ – Increase Reading and Comprehension
Skills
‘T’ – Think and Respond Critically to
Informational Texts
‘E’ – Evolving Writing Skills
‘A’ – Applying Oral Communication Skills
Grade / Subject / Level:
BBB4M – grade 12
International Business
Unit:
Current Issues in Business
‘I’ – Increase Reading and Comprehension Skills
> highlighting key words, passages, quotes, elements in texts
> interpreting text forms
> organizing ideas from text: note-taking skills
> differentiating between most and least important ideas / information
> identifying main points, thesis, main arguments
‘T’ – Think and Respond Critically to Informational Texts
> asking questions
> making inferences
> using context to find meaning
> drawing conclusions
> making judgments
> identifying bias
> determining credible sources; analyzing validity of sources
‘E’ – Evolving Writing Skills
> writing for a purpose: report, reflection, synopsis, précis etc.
> supporting the main idea / argument with evidence
> adding details and explanation
‘A’ – Applying Oral Communication Skills
> communicating for a purpose and audience: whole- class discussions, oral presentations,
> questioning, listening and speaking
> articulating and communicating ideas critically
> communicating explicit and implicit messages, conclusions and inferences
> communicating effectively using visuals, graphics, texts or orally
Activity:
See
http://www.markville.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/teacher/business/business/12/BBB4M/BBBArticlePresentatio
nF07.htm
Resources / Handouts:
See attached file
Notes / Reflections:
Students really enjoyed this assignment and it lead to very productive class involvement and discussions. It
allowed students to choose a topic of interest to them and construct their own learning.
Grade 12 International Business – BBB4M
Business Article Presentation #1
A) Assignment Background and Overview:
Successful business leaders need be aware of current international economic, social,
political, scientific and geographical trends and issues!
In order to maximize your success in business studies courses, you should follow daily
news and business reports from television, radio, newspaper or magazine sources. Whether
you prefer your news delivered from the Internet or onto your front porch via the newspaper,
a key factor for success in business is current, insightful and accurate information about
new and emerging issues!
You will find an interesting, relevant and current article related to International Business
and present it to the class. The article must be current, i.e. no older than Jan. 2007 and
from a reputable source (see Notes I and II below). You will summarize the article, lead
the class in a short question/answer session and reflect on your learning in a written
format.
You will require some background information in order to be knowledgeable about the
subject(s) discussed in the article and be comfortable with the vocabulary and complex
ideas raised in your article. You will need to do some further investigation beyond the text
of your article! You will need to read/review at least three other sources (articles, wikis,
websites, videos) in order to have an in-depth understanding of the issue/article. Your
teacher, parents and colleagues would also be a great source of assistance in understanding
the issue at hand!
B) Assignment Expectations:
General Guidelines:
1. You cannot present the same article as someone else!
2. Articles must be at least one full page in length and approved by the teacher in advance.
3. You must include the date of the article, source, your name, date of your
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presentation, teacher’s name and your course code on the summary.
You must submit a hard copy of the full article to your teacher at least three days
prior to your presentation date for approval.
This ongoing assignment will occur on a daily basis throughout the semester. Be sure
you know your presentation schedule!
A presentation schedule will be posted in the classroom. The teacher must approve
changes. Failure to present on your scheduled date will result in a mark of zero.
You can use notes or “cue” cards to guide your thinking; however, marks will be
deducted if you are relying on them too much. The presentation must be well rehearsed!
8. Technology Usage: Note, PowerPoint presentations or other LCD projections are not
required. We will not always have access to the Internet, labs or LCD technology. Please
discuss any potential usage of technology with your teacher before the presentation!
Specific Requirements:
1. Article Selection/Approval: You must select and submit a hard copy of the article
three days before the presentation date for approval.
2. Written Summary of the Article: You must prepare a written précis (summary) of the
article in your own words and submit this to your teacher, at the latest, one day before
the presentation date. The précis will be written in full sentences. The suggested
length of the précis is 1-2 pages (double spaced, 12-point font) maximum. Include a
‘works cited’ list that clearly lists the three additional sources (min.) that you consulted
(include a hyperlink to the source, if applicable).
3. Business Vocabulary: You must include definitions of ‘new’ and/or ‘business’
vocabulary found in the article or associated with the discussion (suggestion 5-10
terms). Note, you must define as many terms as is required to help your audience fully
understand the topic discussed.
4. Copy the Summary for Class Members: You must give a copy of your article précis
(summary) to each member of the class. Note, you can single space and shrink the font
size (min. 8-point font) of the handout to minimize the handout photocopying costs.
5. Closing Questions: You must prepare three closing questions for class discussion.
The questions must be thought provoking in nature. Use the ICE Model (Ideas,
Connections and Extensions) for question preparation. The purpose of these
presentations is to generate class discussions. Do not use close-ended questions that
result in “yes or no” type responses.
In your closing questions, you will attempt to lead the class to connect this specific
business article/issue to larger business concepts, other topics discussed in class or
other courses/disciplines. You will also attempt to extend our understanding of the
issue and challenge us to form personal opinions, predict or hypothesize what impacts
this issue may have in the future or under other ‘unknown circumstances’. Note, if
you have trouble in motivating class participation, then you can share some of your own
answers/opinions in an attempt to build class discussion.
Sample ICE Model Question Design Suggestions:
You should start your questions using some of these suggestions!
Ideas
List the….
Identify the main ….
Give examples of ….
Who was ….?
When or where did ….?
According to _____ how
is ….?
What did ….?
Connections
What effect does ____ have on….?
Estimate ….
What alternative methods ….?
Of what value is ….?
Explain the relationship between
How is _____ like …..?
Compare….
Extensions
Predict how….
What are the implications of ….
In your opinion ….
What did you learn from ….
What will happen in the future?
Other unknowns or related
topics to consider?
Why did ….?
6. Closing Reflection (written response): Answer your closing questions in a written
format. In your written closing reflection, you will also offer your personal opinion about
the subject and explain what you learned from this article and the presentation. The
suggested length of the closing reflection is 1-2 pages (double-spaced, 12 point font).
7. Presentation Length: Presentations will be 7 - 12 minutes in length
8. Submission Requirements – two hard copies and a soft copy of all items submitted for
marking. More details to follow regarding soft copy submissions.
C) Assignment Checklist:
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Submit a hard copy of the article – three days prior to the presentation for approval
Submit your article summary – one day prior to the presentation
Copy of your article summary for each member of the class on the day of the
presentation
□
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of;
Three closing ‘thought provoking’ questions for class discussion
‘Assignment Package’ on the day of the presentation - two hard copies and a soft copy
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Rubric page attached
Article – one full (original) copy
Article summary - (double spaced, 12-point font, 1-2 pages max.)
Closing questions (three) - use the ICE model and suggestions above
Vocabulary listing – suggestion 5-10 terms (definitions/clarifying examples)
Reflection (double spaced, 12-point font, 1-2 pages max.)
D) Notes and Comments:
I. If you are unsure if your article is from a reputable source, please consult with your
teacher. In general, an article from a major media outlet is reputable; however, editorials
from blogs or other ‘online’ sources may not be reputable for the purposes of this class.
II. Some Suggested Media Sources: (note, you can use other sources, and please share
other ‘good sources’ with your teacher and colleagues)
Markville Library’s ‘E-Resources’
http://www.markville.ss.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/teacher/library/eresouces.html
News Services/Broadcasters:
Reuters website - http://www.reuters.com/
CBC news website – www.cbc.ca
CBC radio podcasts - http://www.cbc.ca/podcasting/
CBC Archives website - http://archives.cbc.ca/index.asp?IDLan=1
CTV website - http://www.ctv.ca/
BBC website - www.bbc.co.uk/
CNN website - www.cnn.com/
Canadian Newspapers:
The Globe and Mail Newspaper (note, many articles are too short for this assignment)
www.theglobeandmail.com/
The National Post Newspaper (note, many articles are too short for this assignment)
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/index.html
The Toronto Star Newspaper (note, many articles are too short for this assignment)
http://www.thestar.com/
Business Magazines:
Economist Magazine - www.economist.com/index.html
Canadian Business http://www.canadianbusiness.com/index.jsp
Fortune Magazine http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/
News and Current Events Magazines:
Time Magazine - www.time.com/time/
Macleans Magazine - www.macleans.ca/
Science, Technology, Environment Magazines:
The Ecologist - http://www.theecologist.org/
Scientific American - www.sciam.com/
Popular Mechanics - www.popularmechanics.com/
Wired Magazine (how technology affects culture, the economy, and politics) – www.wired.com
National Geographic - www.nationalgeographic.com/
Canadian Geographic - http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/
Other – General-Interest / ‘Pop-culture’ / ‘Alternative’ Media Sources:
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The Walrus (general-interest with an international outlook)
http://www.walrusmagazine.com/about/
Harpers Magazine (general-interest monthly) - http://www.harpers.org/
Atlantic Monthly (literary/cultural) http://www.theatlantic.com/
Rolling Stone Magazine (music and ‘pop culture’) - http://www.rollingstone.com/
Utne Magazine (environmental and alternative ideas/trends) http://www.utne.com/
The New Yorker Magazine (variety of topics – culture, science, politics, business) http://www.newyorker.com/
Vanity Fair Magazine (culture, fashion, and politics) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_Fair_(magazine)
Adbusters Magazine (political and social causes) http://www.adbusters.org/the_magazine/
Mother Jones (independent nonprofit – focus on social justice)
http://www.motherjones.com/about/index.html
Article Presentation Rubric
Criteria
Oral
Presentation
Skills; Clear
expression of
ideas, eye
contact/body
language with
audience,
discussion forum,
not reading
summary notes
Level 4
Extremely clear
and effectively
communicates
main ideas:
effective, constant
eye contact with
audience, excellent
discussion style, no
reference made to
notes
Effective oral
summary of
article, use of
vocabulary, ICE
style discussion
questions
Vocabulary and
discussion
questions are
exceptional and
generate a highly
effective response
Overall audience
response to
presentation
Assignment
Package; All
required items;
e.g. sources,
summary of
article, vocabulary
listing, etc.
Written
Reflection
Answers to
closing questions,
opinion, learning
insights
Presentation
generated
exceptional interest
and response from
audience
Summary of article
and vocabulary is
exceptionally
formatted, highly
effective and error
free.
Written reflection is
exceptionally
formatted, highly
effective and error
free.
Total Marks Available:
Name: __________________
Level 3
Clearly and
effectively
communicates
main ideas:
somewhat
effective, eye
contact with
audience, good
form of discussion
style, an
occasional
reference made to
notes
Vocabulary and
discussion
questions are very
well done
generating an
effective response
Level 2
Moderately clear
and effectively
communicates
main ideas: limited
eye contact with
audience,
adequate
discussion style,
frequent references
made to notes
Level 1
Unclear and
ineffective
communication of
main ideas: little or
no eye contact with
audience, poor
discussion style,
constant reference
made to notes and
direct reading is
evident
Total
/10
Vocabulary and
discussion
questions are
moderately
successful,
generating a
somewhat effective
response
Presentation
Presentation
generated good
generated
interest and
moderate interest
response from
and response from
audience
audience
Summary of article Summary of article
and vocabulary is
and vocabulary has
formatted very well, a good format.
very effective with
Moderately
few errors.
effective several
errors.
Vocabulary and
discussion questions
are adequately
successful,
generating an
relatively ineffective
response
/10
Presentation
generated little or no
interest or response
from audience
/10
Summary of article
and vocabulary is
adequate to
ineffective. Many
errors and
formatting is lacking.
/10
Written reflection is
formatted very well,
very effective with
few errors.
Written reflection is
adequate to
ineffective. Many
errors and
formatting is lacking.
/10
Written reflection
has a good format.
Moderately
effective -several
errors.
/50
Comments:
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