Name:______________________________________________________
Block:_______
Due Date:________
The Multi-genre Research Project:
Personal Heroes
Introduction
The purpose of this project is to develop research skills, strengthen writing skills, learn how to document sources,
explore writing in different genres, and examine the life of one of your personal heroes. Rather than write a traditional
research paper, we will be writing in several genres which will cover the functional, informational, and literary text types.
This will include a series of written pieces which will showcase the information you have found on your hero. These
pieces will be formed into a “book” on your hero, which you will present to the class at the conclusion of this project.
Research Projects
You are required to complete the following projects on your hero.
(More in-depth explanations of the projects will be given as we work on each one…)
 Annotated Bibliography
 Research Notes Sheets
 4 Hero Projects (described in this packet)
You will be guided through the research and the projects. Some of your writing will be done in class, and some will need
to be done at home.
Your Research Subject: Choosing A Qualified Hero
For this project, we will define a hero as someone who has overcome adversity to make a positive difference in the
world. In selecting a person to research, you should select someone you admire; someone who embodies the qualities of a
hero. You should plan on becoming the class expert on this person. It might be helpful to consider people who fit into
these categories:
Politicians
Inventors
Artists
Teachers
Scientists
Physicians
Athletes
Authors
Business People
Religious Leaders
Attorneys
Entertainers
Musicians
Activists
Explorers
We will be signing up for heroes to research on a first-come, first- served basis. If someone else signs up for a person you
wanted to research, you will have to choose someone else. If you have not chosen a person to research by the next class
period, I will choose someone for you. I also reserve the right to veto your choice of subject if it does not meet with our
definition of a hero.
Below is a list of historical heroes for possible consideration. You are not limited to these people; it is merely a list of
suggestions. None of these people were perfect – in your research of your chosen subject, you will find faults as well as
strengths. However, each has effected a positive change in the world. Here is the list, in no particular order:
Mohandas Gandhi
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Henry David Thoreau
Florence Nightingale
Susan B. Anthony
Thomas Edison
Sojourner Truth
Clara Barton
Abraham Lincoln
Joan of Arc
Albert Schweitzer
Dorothea Lange
Louis Armstrong
Jackie Robinson
Frederick Douglass
Nellie Bly
George Friedrich Handel
C. S. Lewis
Albert Einstein
Ulysses S. Grant
Robert E. Lee
Abraham Lincoln
Galileo Galilei
Benjamin Franklin
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Sacagawea
Alice Paul
Varian Fry
Meriwether Lewis
William Clark
Jane Addams
Amelia Earheart
Harriet Tubman
Thomas Edison
Helen Keller
Hero Multi-Genre Research Project Options
For all projects, writing should be typed, double-spaced, and 12 pt Times New Roman font.
Each should include your name, block number, and the title of the project as listed below.
1. Life at a Glance (Select One Project)
Autobiographical Sketch: In 500+ words briefly summarize the life of your hero from the point of view of your hero.
This is to be concise and cover the entire scope of your hero’s life.
Illustrated Timeline: Create a timeline of the 10 most significant events of your hero’s life. For each even you should
include a graphic of some kind and a 3+ sentence description of the event.
2. The Essence of My Hero (Select One Project)
Quote Collection: Collect three quotes said by or about your hero that embody his or her character. For each quote write
a paragraph (6+ sentences) explaining how that quote is a good representation of your hero.
Journal Entries: Write three journal entries from the point of view of your hero describing notable events in your hero’s
life. Each journal write must be at least 150 words and can span the life of your hero.
3. Hero Under a Microscope (Select One Project)
Newspaper: Your newspaper should begin with a title and date specific to your hero. It should also include two feature
stories with 200 words each spotlighting two of the most significant events in your hero’s life. Also, you must include a
picture/graphic of some kind. You must include one quote, one paraphrase, and one summary from your research. These
must be correctly cited.
Interview: Write the transcript of a mock interview with your hero. Ask questions and give responses specifically
related to your hero’s heroic deeds. This interview should be 2+ pages. You must include one quote, one paraphrase, and
one summary from your research. These must be correctly cited.
Historical Fiction Story: Write a 2+ page story based around a heroic deed involving your hero. Include dialogue in
your story. You must try to incorporate one quote, one paraphrase, and one summary from your research. These must be
correctly cited.
4. Artistic Expression (Select One Project)
Create a Piece of Art to Represent Your Hero:
Painting/Drawing
Sculpture
Collage
Poetry
Music (can be a piece of music your write of perform or a song collection put on a cd)
With your art piece, include a 200+ word summary of how the piece accurately represents your hero and/or a part of your
hero’s life, experiences, and/or work.
Hero Multi-genre Research Project
Project Completion Checklist
(items should appear in this order)
_____ Title page (contains title, your name, class period) 5 pts
_____ Table of Contents (contains each item and page #) 5 pts
_____ Hero Research Notes 20 pts
_____ Life at a Glance (autobiographical sketch OR illustrated timeline) 25 pts
_____ The Essence of My Hero (quote collection OR journal entries OR personality recipe) 25 pts
*hero’s suitcase needs to be presented in class
_____ Hero Under a Microscope (newspaper OR interview OR historical fiction story) 40 pts
_____ Artistic Expression (painting/drawing OR collage OR poetry OR sheet music) 30 pts
*sculpture or music needs to be presented in class
_____ Annotated Bibliography (an MLA listing of the sources from which you took notes along with a brief summary of
what information can be found from that source) 50 pts
Total:
/200
Your grade will reflect the following:
Ideas & Content. Enough information is provided to show that you are an authority on your subject. Information on the
topic is rich, presented to the readers in an innovative way. Information pertains and sticks to your focus and purpose.
Originality will keep the reader’s interest. The reader learns something from reading this paper.
Use of Multiple Genres. A strong project will contain all four genres that develop the project’s purpose and move the
ideas forward. The writer shows a strong effort in creating genres of high quality. Writer has also shown experimentation
and risk. The writer has adhered to the minimum requirements of genres set forth in the multi-genre guide.
Mechanics. A strong overall project demonstrates conventions appropriate for 10th grade students, including punctuation,
word choice, spelling, grammar, etc. It is understood that “incorrect” mechanics may be used to achieve a certain purpose.
Annotated Bibliography. Documentation shows that authoritative sources were used when researching. Annotated
bibliography and notes show at least four sources were utilized for this project.
Multi-Genre Research Project Rubric
A hero is someone who has overcome adversity to make a positive difference in the world
1. Life at a Glance (Select One Project)
25 points
Autobiographical Sketch:
________/5
500+ words
________/5
briefly summarizes the life of your hero
________/5
written from point of view of your hero
________/5
covers the entire scope of your hero’s life
________/5
events exemplify how your hero overcame adversity to make a positive difference in the world
Illustrated Timeline:
________/10
PowerPoint presentation includes 10 most significant events of your hero’s life
________/10
each event is on its own slide and includes graphic and a 2+ sentence description of the event
________/5
events exemplify how your hero overcame adversity to make a positive difference in the world
2. The Essence of My Hero (Select One Project)
Quote Collection:
________/5
________/10
________/10
Journal Entries:
________/5
________/5
________/5
________/10
25 points
Has three quotes said by or about your hero that clearly embody his or her character
Each quote has a paragraph explaining how it’s a good representation of your hero
Quotes/explanations exemplify how your hero overcame adversity to make a positive difference in the world
Includes three journal entries of at least 100 words and span the life of hero
Written from the point of view of your hero
Journals describe notable events in your hero’s life
Entries show a clear understanding of your hero and shows how they overcame adversity to make a positive
difference in the world
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Hero Under a Microscope (Select One Project)
40 points
Newspaper:
________/5
________/20
________/5
________/10
Newspaper beings with a title and date specific to your hero.
Includes two feature stories with 200+ words each about two significant events in your hero’s life.
Includes a picture/graphic of some kind
Includes one quote, one paraphrase, and one summary from your research, labeled and correctly cited.
Interview:
________/10
________/10
________/10
________/10
Transcript of a mock interview with your hero 2+ pages
Includes BOTH questions and responses specifically related to your hero’s heroic deeds
Interview reflects a clear understanding of your hero and his or her personality
Includes one quote, one paraphrase, and one summary from your research, labeled and correctly cited.
Historical Fiction Story:
________/10
A 2+ page story based around a heroic deed involving your hero
________/10
Includes dialogue
________/10
story shows a clear understanding of your hero and shows how they overcame adversity to make a positive difference in the world
________/10
Includes one quote, one paraphrase, and one summary from your research, labeled and correctly cited.
4. Artistic Expression (Select One Project)
30 points
Painting/Drawing
Sculpture
Collage
Poetry
Music (can be a piece of music your write of perform or a song collection put on a cd)
________/10
________/5
________/15
project is unique and creative
project exemplifies or represents your hero and/or their heroic deed
project includes a 200+ word summary of how the piece accurately represents your hero
Presentation of Final Project
_____/5
_____/5
_____/20
_____/50
Title page (your name, class period, date, project title, hero name)
Table of Contents (contains each item and page #)
Hero Research Notes (handwritten ~ 4 pages)
Annotated Bibliography
FINAL PROJECT GRADE
______/200