WATERGATE
Task 1: Interview: Due Friday, January 6th, 2011.
Interview someone who was an adult (at least 18) at the time of the
Watergate scandal (1972-1974). This is to help hone interviewing skills and to help you get a personal
look at how the events of Watergate changed the way the public viewed the U.S. government.
The interview should be approx. 10-30 minutes. Your questions must allow an interviewee to give
opinions and share memories and feelings. They must avoid questions that elicit a one-word answer.
Also, you should find out about your interviewee by asking the following questions:
 How old were you at the time of the Watergate scandal?
 Where did you live?
 What were you doing? (examples: college student, owned a business, took care of
children)
 Had you voted for Nixon? Did your opinion of Nixon change when the scandal broke?
 Describe your feelings toward the government and politics before and after the
Watergate scandal.
Steps and Techniques for conducting an interview:
 Identify an appropriate person to interview. Ask your relatives, neighbors, or other members of
your community.
 Introduce yourself, if necessary, and explain the purpose of your interview.
 Schedule the interview at a convenient time for the interviewee. Explain that it will take
about 10-30 minutes.
 Get permission to use an audio or video recorder during the interview (if so desired).
 Arrive on time for the interview.
 Before you arrive, generate a list of questions. Be familiar with your questions, but it is
OK to read from your list.
 Take notes during the interview, even if you are using an audio or video recorder.
 Be patient and polite. Do not argue.
 Refer to your question list, but be prepared to ask follow-up questions in response to the
subject's answers.
 Review your notes right after the interview. This would be the best time to write your
reflection piece. Contact your subject quickly if you have additional questions.
 Very soon after the interview, thank your subject by phone or mail for taking time to talk
with you.
Once you have completed the interviews, you should review your notes to find the highlights to create a
brief presentation (3-5 minutes) and reflection. The presentation can use visuals, but does not have to.
The presentation will summarize the interview and include at least two direct quotes from their subject.
The presentations will be on January 6th, shortly after we come back from break and the day you will
also turn in the reflection.
The reflection – you will write a 1-2 page, double spaced, reflection and summary on the interview
and the experience. Also take note on how you view Watergate (differently or the same) after the
interview. Staple the interview questions to this reflection.
Task 2: Research Paper: Due ______________________ This will count as your midterm!
We will be viewing the National Geographic documentary on Watergate in class. The documentary is
structured around the question and answer format. As we are watching the documentary, I encourage
you to write down questions that you find intriguing, or write ones of your own. If you miss any of the
documentary, or wish to go back and watch parts of it again, I will put a link to it on my wikispace.
After viewing the documentary, you will pick a question to explore further in research. It can be about
Nixon, the scandal, the media’s influence on the scandal, the impeachment process, etc. Pick something
that you find interesting. Before you go any further, get your question approved by me. Only one
person per topic.
We will spend several days in the library to complete the research. It will then be up to you to write the
essay – we will be going back to the computer lab after break to begin working on the next issue; so you
may have some time there, but you mustn’t neglect your articles. The paper should be 2-4 pages,
double spaced, and use Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1 inch margins. It should also include a
works cited page (you should use at least 2 outside resources, but it could include more) and use MLA
format. If you need help with the writing or works cited page, please let me know. I will not be
collecting outlines, notecards, or any other parts of the process – but I encourage you to use any
methods used in your English classes to help you. Trust me when I say, from experience, that it helps to
have some sort of pre-writing/research gathering tools.
I suggest a structure like this:
I.
Introduction
A. Summary of Watergate, pose your question
II.
Research found to answer question
III.
Conclusion
A. Thoughts on what you found
B. Other questions it might have raised
It is acceptable in an inquiry-based essay like this (for at least my class) to use the word ‘I,’ but it is
generally best kept in the introduction and/or conclusion. Make sure the research used is reputable,
and if you have any doubts, let me know. I will include on my wikispace a list of websites that I suggest
to begin your research. Using the library database is an excellent resource where you do not have to
question the validity of the research as much as the world wide web!
On the day it is due, you will turn in a printed off copy with the rubric stapled to the back. We will be
discussing our questions and findings as a group.
Grading: Task 1
Knowledge Gained
Preparation
10-8
7-5
4-2
1-0
Student can accurately
answer several
questions about the
person who was
interviewed and can
tell how this interview
relates to the material
being studied in class.
Before the interview,
the student prepared
several in-depth AND
factual questions to
ask.
Student can accurately
answer a few
questions about the
person who was
interviewed and can
tell how this interview
relates to the material
being studied in class.
Before the interview,
the student prepared a
couple of in-depth
questions and several
factual questions to
ask.
The report is well
organized and contains
accurate facts taken
from the interview.
Student can accurately
answer a few
questions about the
person who was
interviewed.
Student cannot
accurately answer
questions about the
person who was
interviewed.
Before the interview,
the student prepared
several factual
questions to ask.
The student did not
prepare any questions
before the interview.
The report contains
accurate quotations
and facts taken from
the interview.
The report is lacking
facts and quotations
from the interview OR
the quotes and facts
are not accurately
reported.
Student seems pretty
prepared but might
have needed a couple
more rehearsals.
The student is
somewhat prepared,
but it is clear that
rehearsal was lacking.
Student does not seem
at all prepared to
present.
Stands up straight and
establishes eye
contact with everyone
in the room during the
presentation.
Sometimes stands up
straight and
establishes eye
contact.
Slouches and/or does
not look at people
during the
presentation.
Shows a good
understanding of the
topic.
Shows a good
understanding of parts
of the topic.
Does not seem to
understand the topic
very well.
Reflection report
The report is well
organized and contains
accurate quotations
and facts taken from
the interview.
Preparedness for
presentation
The report is lacking
facts and quotations
from the interview OR
the quotes and facts
are not accurately
reported.
Stands up straight,
looks relaxed and
confident. Establishes
eye contact with
everyone in the room
during the
presentation.
Shows a full
understanding of the
topic.
Posture and Eye
Contact during
presentation
Content of
Presentation
________/60
Journalism – Watergate Research Paper
Due:_________________
Name:__________________________
This paper must be turned in with the research paper.
Your paper will count as your midterm grade.
(5 points will be subtracted from the total score each day that your paper is late. A paper without a
rubric will have 10 points subtracted from the total score)
/5
The paper is 2-4 pages in length and is centered around a question about Watergate.
/10
The paper is correctly formatted (separated into indented paragraphs, capital letters at the
beginning of sentences, periods at the end of sentences). The paper must be typed - standard 1-inch
margins, standard letter spacing, double-spaced, 12 pt. Font (Times New Roman), and page numbers
(Last Name 1).
/5
The paper has a thesis statement (based around your question).
/20
The body of the paper supports the thesis statement (did you answer the question fully and use
good research to back it up?).
/10
The paper is well-organized.
/10
The paper is grammatically sound (I can tell you have proofed it).
/15
The paper has a correct works cited page (MLA format).
/15
The paper uses correct parenthetical documentation (MLA format).
/10
The paper has at least 2 sources, of varying types.
/100 -TOTAL SCORE
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