English 20-2

Name: __________________

Media Issues Inquiry Project

In this inquiry project, you will explore a media issue of your choice. You may complete this inquiry project in
the presentation format of your choice (ex: Word Document, Poster, Powerpoint, Prezi, etc).
Steps for this assignment:
1. Select a media issue that is interesting or relevant to you. (If you have trouble thinking of an idea,
there are various topics listed in the table of contents of the book, Mass Media and Popular Culture.
These may help get you started.)
2. Develop a clear and focused inquiry question about your chosen topic. (i.e. What do you want to
know about the topic?). You will be responsible for researching and answering this question.
3. Research your chosen topic and inquiry question. As you research, evaluate information that you
find, and select only information that is significant to your topic and inquiry question. Make sure that
you keep track of the resources that you use as you do your research (websites, books, articles, etc).
You must use at least 3 different resources for this assignment. Wikipedia may NOT be used as a
primary resource. However, Wikipedia pages often contain links to other websites, so it may be a
useful place to begin your research.
( http://mediasmarts.ca/ may be a useful website for research )
4. Record the significant information about your topic and inquiry question that you find during your
research. This must be done in your own words (NO copying and pasting that is plagiarism).
5. Synthesize your research with your own ideas to develop an opinion about your chosen topic.
Use what you have learned in your research to answer the following questions:
Why is your chosen topic an important media issue?
What do you think can or should be done to help resolve the issue?
Finally, answer your inquiry question (What did you learn about your question?)
6. Create a works cited list using www.citationmachine.net (Use MLA style formatting, and follow the
steps to create a fully developed citation for all of your resources. Remember, you must use at least
3 different resources for research. This works cited list needs to be organized in alphabetical order).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------No matter what type of presentation format that you choose, you need to include the following sections:
A) Topic
B) Inquiry Question
C) Research (What are the facts?)
D) Synthesis and Conclusions (What are your ideas?)
E) Works Cited List (in alphabetical order)

English 20-2

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Rubric for Media Issues Inquiry Project

Criteria/Level

4
Excellent

3
Proficient

2
Adequate

1
Limited*

Plan Inquiry or
Research
(3.1.2 c)

Develops a clear
and precise inquiry
question based on
the chosen topic

Develops a focused
inquiry question
based on the
chosen topic

Develops a
reasonably focused
inquiry question
based on chosen
topic

Develops an unclear
and unfocused,
inquiry question
based on the
chosen topic

Select, record, and

organize
information
(3.1.1 c)
(3.2.1 b)
(3.2.2 b, c)

Demonstrates
comprehensive
research and selects
significant
information

Demonstrates
thorough research,
and selects relevant
information.

Demonstrates
superficial research,
and selects feasible
information.

Demonstrates
incomplete or
unexplored
research, and
selects irrelevant
information.

Select, record, and

organize
information
(3.2.1 c)

Citations are
completely
developed, and are
organized in a
purposeful manner

Citations are mostly

developed, and are
organized in a
mostly logical
manner

Citations are only

partially developed,
and demonstrate
haphazard
organization

Citations are
undeveloped and
disorganized

Form
Generalizations and
Conclusions
(3.2.3 a, b)

Demonstrates
insightful synthesis
of research with
own ideas to create
a compelling
response

Demonstrates
relevant synthesis
of research with
own ideas to create
a convincing
response

Demonstrates
appropriate
synthesis of
research with own
ideas to create a
plausible response

Demonstrates
questionable
synthesis of
research with own
ideas to create an
unconvincing
response

Consider and
address form,
structure and
medium
(4.1.2)

Demonstrates
skillful presentation
of ideas in a way
that enhances the
communication of
information

Demonstrates
effective
presentation of
ideas in a way that
supports the
communication of
information

Demonstrates
simplistic
presentation of
ideas in a way that
partially supports
the communication
of information

Demonstrates
ineffective
presentation of
ideas in a way that
interferes with the
communication of
information

Develop Content
(4.1.3 c, e)

Insufficient*
No score is
awarded:
insufficient
evidence of student
performance based
on the requirements
the task.

* When work is judged limited or insufficient, the teacher makes decisions about appropriate intervention to help
the student improve.
Curricular Outcomes Related to this Project:

3.1.1 Focus on purpose and presentation form

3.1.2 Plan inquiry or research, and identify information needs and sources
3.2.1 Select, record, and organize information
3.2.2 Evaluate sources, and assess information
3.2.3 Form Generalizations and Conclusions
4.1.2 Consider and address form, structure, and medium
4.1.3 Develop Content