Personal and Social Responsibility
ASSIGNMENT 6: PROJECT: Persuasive Podcast
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Learning Target (Curricular Competencies):
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Task: Persuasive Podcast
Develop a longer piece of writing (essay, speech, debate about 800 words) that weighs the pros and cons of one of the provided prompts.
Your response should reflect your sense of social responsibility:
- contributing to community and caring for the environment;
- solving problems in peaceful ways; valuing diversity;
- building relationships.
You must cite at least 4 sources: 2 for each side of the argument. Your goal is to synthesize the information from the sources into your persuasive argument.
Writing Assignment Options
1. In "The Singer Solution to World Poverty," an article that appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Peter Singer, a professor of bioethics, calls attention to the urgent need for food and medicine in many parts of the world. Singer argues that prosperous people should donate to overseas aid organizations such as UNICEF or Oxfam all money that is not needed for the basic requirements of life.
"The formula is simple: whatever money you're spending on luxuries, not necessities, should be given away."
Evaluate the pros and cons of Singer's argument. Use appropriate evidence as you examine each side. Indicate which position you find more persuasive in your final paragraph.
2. Veganism promotes better health as well as sustainability. Use appropriate evidence as you examine each side. Indicate which position you find more persuasive in your final paragraph.
3. Current changing weather patterns indicate the massive impact of global warming. Use appropriate evidence as you examine each side. Indicate which position you find more persuasive in your final paragraph.
4. Adolescent depression and anxiety disorders are caused by adolescent hormonal fluctuations and can be treated with prescription drugs. Use appropriate evidence as you examine each side. Indicate which position you find more persuasive in your final paragraph.
Now, develop the piece of writing and record it. Your podcast recording should be 2-3 minutes long. Convince your audience with both oral language and written language that your position is correct and accurate. Make sure you reflect on your social responsibility as it pertains to the question.
If you have other topics you'd like to write on, please discuss with your teacher.
Record your writing in podcast format using Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/, GarageBand, iMovie or other recording software with capacity to edit sound. Add either sound effects or music or both to augment your voice reading.
Be sure to export as an mp3 format file and upload to the assignment dropbox.
Free sound effect and music sites:
- https://www.pacdv.com/sounds/
- http://www.findsounds.com/types.html
- https://freemusicarchive.org/
- https://free-loops.com/
- http://danosongs.com
- https://incompetech.com
- https://www.seabreezecomputers.com/tips/freemusic.htm#links … an example from this site:
- https://www.taylorhayward.org/
Assessment: Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.
Learning Target: (Exemplary 6/6): Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective. Final product demonstrates exemplary ability to access information for diverse purposes and from a variety of sources to inform writing and to explore the relevance, accuracy, and reliability of texts. Student demonstrates exemplary ability to use acknowledgements and citations to recognize intellectual property rights.
Content/Ideas: (Exemplary 6/6): Content contributes to the central idea and makes insightful connections. There is a clear main idea with relevant and persuasive support. Student demonstrates exemplary ability to synthesize the information from the sources into a persuasive argument. Content clearly reflects the student's sense of social responsibility.
Organization: Exemplary (6/6): Substantial preparation is evidence. There is thorough research with at least 4 sources: 2 for each side of the argument. Topic is logically developed to suit purpose. Accomplishes the purpose with originality, individuality, maturity, and sophistication.
Technical Production: Exemplary (6/6): Spoken word can be clearly heard without distraction and is delivered with appropriate passion and inflection to support the overall message. Engages and entertains the audience. Student demonstrates exemplary speaking skills in a persuasive podcast. The audio is recorded in a quiet environment without distracting background noise. Podcast length keeps the listener engaged and interested.
Submission:
Use the "4.6 PROJECT: Persuasive Podcast" link on the main page of this section of the course to upload your assignment to your teacher for marking.