English 11, CVOLC, Online, 21-22

ESSENTIAL QUESTION:  What is your personal passion?

Task:  

For this project, you will share, discuss, create, propose and/or analyze solutions for an issue you are passionate about.  How can writing change people’s worldview? How can it influence public opinion? How can it lead to meaningful action? Persuasive writing is more than just an academic exercise — it is very much alive in the real world. 

Finding the right topic is essential. You should pick something that a) you genuinely care about; b) other people would want to be informed about; c) an argument can be made about it d) and evidence can be found to support your claim.  You could use your Assignment 4.4 "Pitch For Change" topic and build on it, if you'd like.

Consider these questions:

• What would you like to change if you could? What problems or policies do you think should be addressed — whether something global, like climate change, or something closer to home, like a later start time for your high school classes? Make as long a list as you can.
• What issues, topics and fields are you passionate about? Make a list. Your list might include fields as broad as “music” or as specific as “the early days of hip-hop.” What questions or controversies in these fields do experts or fans often argue? Where do you stand?
• What do you do outside of school? What are some things you’re an expert on? What aspects of those hobbies or interests do you find yourself having to explain to others? Why?
• What issues or ideas do you often find yourself discussing or arguing about with friends, your family or online?
• What issues or controversies have you followed recently in current events? What are your opinions about them? What might you need more information about?

All students will be required to:

• Use the skills that you have developed in this course

• Research the given topic so that you become an expert on it

• Keep an MLA-style works cited list that will be turned in with your final product

• Develop a persuasive product that informs its reader of the topic.

Go to "4.6 PROJECT:  Personal Passion Project" Assignment on the main page of the course to read a more comprehensive explanation of the assignment to complete this section.