Personal and Social Responsibility

ASSIGNMENT 6: PROJECT: Persuasive Podcast

Learning Target (Curricular Competencies):

  • Access information for diverse purposes and from a variety of sources to inform writing
  • Explore the relevance, accuracy, and reliability of texts
  • Use acknowledgements and citations to recognize intellectual property rights
  • Demonstrate speaking and listening skills in a variety of formal and informal contexts for a range of purposes 

Task:  Persuasive Podcast

 Develop a longer piece of writing (poem, short story, essay, speech) that reflects your sense of social responsibility as you respond to the prompt: 

"People's lives are enriched by connections with other generations".  

You can agree or disagree with the prompt, but do some research.  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. 

Review the key components of social responsibility as discussed in the introduction: 

  • Contributing to community and caring for the environment
  • Solving problems in peaceful ways
  • Valuing diversity
  • Building relationships

Consider what that means to you.  What is your sense of personal responsibility?  How does your sense of self interact with those around you?  How do you connect with other generations?

  • Brainstorm ways that people's lives are (not) enriched by connections with other generations. Do the research.  Keep track of your sources of information.  You will need to write a bibliography for your 4 sources.
  • Use the brainstorming graphic organizer to establish your main talking points

Now, develop the piece of writing and record it.  Your podcast recording should be 2-3 minutes long. Make sure you reflect on your social responsibility as it pertains to the prompt. 

If you have other topics you'd like to write on, please discuss with your teacher.

Hey!  Here is an example podcast from the Banff Writer's Festival called Wordfest with Alexis O'Hara. Have a listen!  

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:

  1. https://www.pacdv.com/sounds/
  2. http://www.findsounds.com/types.html
  3. https://freemusicarchive.org/
  4. https://free-loops.com/
  5. http://danosongs.com
  6. https://incompetech.com
  7. https://www.seabreezecomputers.com/tips/freemusic.htm#links … an example from this site:
  8. https://www.taylorhayward.org/
You will submit:
1.  the podcast recording
2.  a bibliography with your 4 sources.  See a sample bibliography on Page 5 of this handout.

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 and ideas about generational connections.   

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.