Western Sierra Collegiate Academy
AP Language and Composition
Spring Semester 2014
Final Draft Due: Wednesday, April 9th
or Thursday, April 10th
“The Great Witch Hunt”
Research Project and Synthesis Essay
Description: The Crucible is a 1953 play written by an American, Arthur Miller which dramatizes a partially
fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay during 1692 and 1693.
Miller wrote the play as an allegory of McCarthyism, when the U.S. government blacklisted accused communists, and
was himself questioned by the House of Representatives' Committee on Un-American Activities in 1956 and convicted of
contempt of Congress for refusing to identify others present at meetings of groups which disagreed with the actions of the
U.S. government at the time that he had attended. However, the Salem witch trials, and McCarthyism are only two of an
unbelievable number of “witch hunts” which have taken place throughout history. For this project you are expected to
research a historical event/time period in which a person or group of people were sought out and rightfully prosecuted or
wrongfully persecuted because of their actions, religion, beliefs, race, or lifestyle:
Possible Events/Time Periods and People:
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Salem Witch Trials
Crusades
Spanish Inquisition
Targeting of Individuals in Airport Security
Holocaust in Nazi Germany
Genocide in Rwanda, Cambodia, etc. (pick one specific group/example)
Assassination or Intended Assassination of a Political Leader, such as Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy,
Malala Yousafzai, etc. (pick one)
McCarthyism
Incarceration of a political leader
Japanese internment camps
You may pick something that is not on this list, however, I suggest you check-in with me to make sure that your
topic is appropriate.
Standards:
 Component 10: Student produces a researched argument paper, which goes beyond the parameters of a traditional
research paper by asking students to present an argument of their own that includes the synthesis of ideas from an
array of sources.
 Component 2: Student proceeds through several stages or drafts with the revision incorporating as appropriate,
feedback from teacher and peers.
 Component 9: Students demonstrate research skills and the ability to evaluate, use, and cite primary and
secondary sources.
 Component 8: Student analyzes how visual images relate to written texts and how visual images serve as
alternative forms of text.
Project Part 1—Synthesis Essay (75 points): Once you decide on an event or time period that you will research, find at
least six different sources. Three of your six sources MUST be primary sources and another MUST be a visual of some
kind (a chart, graph, photograph, comic, etc). Carefully read and analyze all of your sources and use information from
each of your sources to create a coherent essay in which you evaluate and affirm or dispute the validity of charges made
against a particular person or group. (Rubric on back)
Project Part 2—Original Propaganda Poster concerning the Person/Group and the Event/Time Period
(25 points): You will create an original propaganda poster that intends to sway the audience of your time
period. The message of your poster should be easy to understand and obviously related to the topic of your
Synthesis essay. You will present this project to the class on either Wednesday, April 9th or Thursday, April 10th
(whichever day you are in AP English Language and Composition class). Your Propaganda Poster will be
graded as follows:
Score
AP Language
and
Composition
Standards
Component 8:
Student
analyzes how
visual images
relate to
written texts
and how
visual images
serve as
alternative
forms of text.
A (25-23)
Poster is visually
compelling and
interesting with original
artwork. Includes
images that strongly link
to the person/group and
event/time period.
Clearly communicates a
message and bias.
Includes relevant
quotes/words that
strongly support images
and enhance the message
of the poster.
B (22-20)
Poster is neat and
clear. Includes
images that link to
person/group and the
event/time period.
Communicates a
message and bias.
Includes
quotes/words that
support the images
and message of the
poster.
C (19-17)
Poster
communicates a
message. Includes
images that weakly
link to the
person/group and the
event/time period.
Includes
quotes/words that
are weakly related to
the images.
I (0)
Poster is visually
difficult to read or
does not clearly
address the
person/group or
event/time period.
Poster is missing
either images or
quotes/words that
relate to the subject
matter. Images or
quotations are
irrelevant to topic.
Other Specific Assignment Requirements:
1. Find at least 6 sources. Three of your six sources MUST be primary sources and another MUST be a
visual of some kind (a chart, graph, photograph, comic, etc).
2. Define the historical context of your event/time period and the significance of your person/group of
people.
3. All of your sources need to be incorporated into your essay and must be cited properly.
4. Always refer to the text in the present tense. It is unchanging. Ex. “Thoreau describes the ants as if
they are people.”
5. Your final draft of the Synthesis Essay should:
a. Be typed (12 pt. font)
b. Be between 5 and 7 pages
c. Be double spaced
d. Have correct punctuation and spelling
e. Have a title
6. Your final draft of your Original Propaganda Poster should be easy to “read” and have a clear message.
7. Turn in project drafts in a timely manner (any drafts not turned in on the Due Date will not be
considered timely).
Timeline:
Task
Topic Proposal and Sources Found
Works Cited
Due Date
Monday, March 10th
Thursday, March 13th
or Friday, March 14thth
Note Cards and/or
Highlighted Sources
Thursday, March 20th
or Friday, March 21st
Outline
Monday, March 24th
Rough Draft
Final Draft of Synthesis Essay and
Presentation of Original Propaganda
Poster
Thursday, April 3rd
or Friday, April 4th
Wednesday, April 9th
or Thursday, April 10th