Biography Boot Camp!

Welcome to Biography boot camp! For the next two weeks, your job will be to write a rough then revised biography which incorporates multiple sources and paints a complex picture of the subject you have chosen.  Within this timeframe, I would like you make a plan that allows you to finish a complete rough draft by deadline.
Deadlines and Requirements:
Rough draft due Monday, May 6th
Final draft due Monday, May 13th
Word count requirement: 4,000-5,000 words
Sources: Total of five sources are needed. Minimum of three people, including primary subject. At least two secondary sources are recommended.
Appendices: For final draft, an appendix of your transcriptions are required. You may also submit a second appendix for photos or documents not within the paper.
Here is the rubric: Biography rubric
In addition, your appendix will be worth 75 points.

Here are the steps I would suggest for drafting in the next two weeks:
1. Come up with an inquiry or focus question for your paper. This will have to be included in your final paper.
2. Revise your outline to ensure you have an introduction, sub-sections which adhere to your question or focus and some concluding thoughts about the subject.
3. Review your transcripts and find DIRECT quotes, both from your subject and secondary interviews and begin to organize those quotes according to subject/subhead.
4. Review your secondary sources and take notes on information that will enhance each section.
5. Draft your works cited page. This will make your drafting process smoother.
5. Begin drafting. I would suggest beginning with the section that feels most important to your focus. For the drafting, I don't think it is necessary to go in order. You may find that one section becomes two or one section gets cut because it is not that important to your focus.
6. As you draft, weave in the evidence you have selected. I would suggest citing your sources as you go. Ideally, each section should contain direct evidence from primary and secondary sources. (And each paragraph should contain at least one direct quote.)
7. If you find you do not have enough material, return to interviews (or schedule a quick follow-up) and secondary sources.

Please look at exemplars at blog link here:
http://herlihy12aclasses2.blogspot.com/search/label/research%20project
Or check out the exemplar in the workspace on First Class.

Editing and Revision help:
If you would like me to look at part of your draft, you will need to make an appointment with me. If you would like me to look at a section of your draft for written feedback, you will need to have that completed by Thursday, May 2nd. I am willing to look at up to four pages. I am happy to consult with you in person the week of May 6th, but I won't be able to provide written feedback to you.

Homework for week of 4/8

Monday: Complete rough draft by Tuesday, including evidence. I know this is a quick turnaround, but it is good practice for college!
Here is the assignment and rubric again:
Final Assessment for The Kite Runner
Revision and peer editing work guidelines
Tuesday: Revise The Kite Runner essay for block day.
Over vacation: Looking at your information so far, think about a guiding question for your subject's life that will begin your writing. Also, organize a structural outline of your biography. Ideally, this would include the sections of your paper and a focused idea for each sub-head. Be prepared to go into Biography Boot Camp when we return!
Mrs. Guimond's survey

Homework for week of 4/1

This is the last week of the quarter, so make sure you are up to date on assignments and you pass journals in on time. Also, make sure you are editing your journals. Points will be taken off for errors in conventions, including capitalization, spelling, and run-on sentences.
Also, note there will be a long reading assignment over next weekend (about 60 pages). Please manage your time well this week, reading ahead if necessary.

Monday: Read chapters19-20 (and annotate). Journals due tomorrow, 4/2!
Here are the guiding questions from last week through tomorrow: Guiding questions for chapters 11-22
Here are the rest of the guiding questions: Guiding Questions chapters 23-25
Tuesday: Read chapters 21-22 (and annotate)
For class: Read this article in The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/01/world/asia/afghan-debts-painful-payment-a-daughter-6.html?_r=0
Block day: Read chapter 23 (and annotate)
Friday: Finish The Kite Runner for Monday (and annotate).
Final Assessment for The Kite Runner

Homework for week of 3/25

Monday: Read chapters 11-12 and annotate with guiding questions in mind. Due Tuesday.
Guiding questions for chapters 11-22

2. Find two reliable secondary sources for your biography project. See rubric for guidelines:
Website reliability rubric
 In addition, have a draft of these sources in your works cited page for block day. You may use noodle tools: http://www.noodletools.com/login.php. You'll have to scroll down to find the free application: Noodle Tools express.

Tuesday: Read chapters 13-14 for block day.
Block day: Read 15-18 for Monday, April 1. Use these questions for the weekend's work: Guiding questions for chapters 13-18

Homework for week of 3/18

We will be venturing into the heart of our new novel this week as well as beginning our secondary research for the biography project. 

Guiding questions for chapters 1-10: Guiding Questions Kite Runner chapters 1-10

Monday: Read chapters 4-5 of The Kite Runner and annotate, using the guiding questions.

Tuesday: Read chapters 6-7 and annotate, using the guiding questions.

Thursday: Read chapter 8 and annotate, using the guiding questions.

Friday: Read chapters 9-10 and annotate, using the guiding questions.

The Kite Runner journals

Journal #1:
Part One:
When you think of Afghanistan, what images come to mind? How would you describe the country, the people, based on what you know now?
View the video from PBS, then answer the questions below. If you missed the video, here it is, in two parts:
Part One:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMFtqsmynnU
Part Two:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw2wIKo1vKk
Part Two:
What information surprised you about the video? Describe the landscape. How did the information change or add to what you already know about Afghanistan?
Word count: at least 200 words

Journal #2:
Keeping in mind the fact Amir is middle school age, how do you react to his actions in the alley when Hassan is violated? Do you think most kids in his position would have done the same? Explain. Thinking honestly, what would you have done in that situation? How would you have addressed Hassan or the situation after the fact?
And for the BIG question, is it possible for Amir to redeem himself? Explain your answer.
Word count: at least 250 words.

Journal #3: 
Brainstorming (I don't need this part of the journal): Sketch a blueprint of a floor in your house when you were around 12. Just a rough sketch, perhaps with furniture, will do.
Then, think about one specific memory in each room and make a note to hold your thinking.
NOW: Choose one memory and write a scene from your childhood, that reveals something about the characters in it and the dynamic of the family. Remember to use small gestures and physical details to paint the scene. Also, consider literary devices such as imagery, dialogue and non-cliche metaphor or similes. Word count: 250-350 words.

Homework for week of 3/11

Monday: Final draft of Butterflies vignette due Thursday – be sure to consult the final assessment rubric to make sure you have included all the aspects of the assignment. Find one last person to read through your vignette for final edits outside of class.

Tuesday: Revise Butterflies vignette. Find one last person to read through your vignette for final edits outside of class. Due Thursday.

Thursday: Prepare for your presentations. We shall begin on Friday. 

Friday: Read chapters 1-3 and annotate, using the guiding questions:Guiding Questions for The Kite Runner chs. 1-7

Documents for The Kite Runner presentations:

Here is the document everyone should read: Afghanistan overview handout

Here is the overview for the assignment: Overview of assignment

Here are the additional resources for the work: Kite Runner resources