Final Project: Track the Claim!
Final Project - Track the Claim
Overview
Many news articles and other media items make claims about historical events, official reports, and scholarly research. Phrases such as “a new study shows” and “according to researchers” leads readers to believe that the claim is true as presented. For this final project, be a critical detective and track a claim to its source.
Objectives
Demonstrate an ability to research a claim
Synthesize research in an analysis
Demonstrate communication skills through a multimedia presentation
Instructions
Find a recent news article or other media item that makes a claim. Through links, footnotes, and additional searching, trace the claim to the original (or near-original) source. Keep track of all articles and sources that you find related to that claim. Using Library databases and Google Scholar, look for scholarly research articles that support, refute, or relate to the claim. In total, collect 7 or more sources. 3 of the sources must be peer-reviewed scholarly research. Write a critical analysis of the claim using 7 or more sources. Present the claim and your analysis in a 5 minute multimedia presentation.
Components
Works Cited Draft
Submit a draft of your Works Cited page, or bibliography. Use APA citation guidelines. If there is another citation style that you’d prefer to use based on your major, please indicate that at the top of your Works Cited.
Multimedia Presentation (5 minutes)
Create a multimedia presentation that walks the class through your detective’s journey to track the source of the claim. The presentation should include at least 2 different multimedia elements, such as images, audio, video, etc., and can be delivered in any format (PowerPoint, video, website). You have the option to present this live or recorded.
Written analysis (3 page minimum, 6 page maximum)
Present the claim and associated articles in a written analysis. The analysis needs to be 3-6 pages plus a bibliography. Your analysis should consider how accurately the claim is represented in your sources and incorporate the concepts covered in class. All of the sources in the bibliography should be integrated and correctly cited within the analysis. Use APA citation guidelines, unless you make a case for another citation style.
Grading Rubric
Criteria | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 points | 0 points |
Topic | The paper focuses on a single claim/topic that is relevant and interesting. The claim is clearly presented in the introduction. | The paper focuses on a single claim/topic that is relevant and clearly stated. | The paper presents a claim/topic that is interesting, but not clearly stated. | The paper does not focus on a single claim, but presents multiple claims and is unfocused. | No submission |
Analysis | Demonstrated understanding of concepts learned in the course. Concepts are integrated with the writer’s own insights. The paper concludes with remarks that show analysis and synthesis of ideas. | Demonstrates understanding of the concepts learned in the course. Concepts are present and partially integrated with the writer’s own insights. | Demonstrates partial understanding of the concepts learned in the course. | The paper does not demonstrate that the author has fully understood and applied concepts learned in the course. | No submission |
Cohesiveness | Ties together information from all sources. Paper flows from one issue to the next without the need for headings. Author's writing demonstrates an understanding of the relationship among material obtained from all sources. | For the most part, ties together information from all sources. Paper flows with only some disjointedness. Author's writing demonstrates an understanding of the relationship among material obtained from all sources. | Sometimes ties together information from all sources. Paper does not flow - disjointedness is apparent. Author's writing does not demonstrate an understanding of the relationship among material obtained from all sources. | Does not tie together information. Paper does not flow and appears to be created from disparate issues. Headings are necessary to link concepts. Writing does not demonstrate understanding any relationships | No submission |
Spelling and Grammar | No spelling &/or grammar mistakes. | Minimal spelling &/or grammar mistakes. | Noticeable spelling & grammar mistakes. | Unacceptable number of spelling and/or grammar mistakes. | No submission |
Sources | 7 or more sources related to the same claim are all present and cited in the paper. 3 of the 7 are peer-reviewed research articles. | 5-7 sources related to the same claim. Includes 2 peer-reviewed research articles. | Fewer than 5 sources. Includes 1 peer-reviewed research article. | Fewer than 5 sources. No scholarly research articles. | No submission |
Citations | Cites all sources listed in bibliography. APA citation style is used in both text and bibliography. | Cites most sources. APA citation style is used in both text and bibliography. | Cites some sources. Citation style is either inconsistent or incorrect. | Does not cite sources. | No submission |
Multimedia | The presentation utilizes more than two multimedia elements (ie audio, video, images) that are relevant to the topic. | The presentation utilizes two multimedia elements that are relevant to the topic. | The presentation utilizes one multimedia element that is relevant to the topic. | The presentation utilizes one or more multimedia elements that are not relevant to the topic. | No submission |
Visual presentation | The visual elements of the presentation are appropriate, cohesive, and appealing. The font and colors are legible. All visual elements support and enrich the analysis. | The visual elements of the presentation are appropriate and appealing. Font and colors are legible. | Font and colors are legible. The visual elements are appealing. | Inappropriate use of visual elements. Font and colors distract from the content. | No submission |
Oral presentation | The oral presentation is practiced and delivered clearly and confidently with minimal use of notes and pauses. | The oral presentation is delivered clearly and confidently with minimal use of notes and pauses. | The oral presentation is delivered with the use of notes and pauses. | The oral presentation is unpracticed and lacks cohesion. | No submission |