ELA B30 Global Social Issues Inquiry Assignment

The Big Questions:

What are the rights of all?
What is our responsibility? Why is it our responsibility?
How can we affect change? Do we have the power to affect change?
How do we get a voice? How do we use our voice?
How can we make the world a better place?
If I could change anything in the world what would it be?

Purpose:
To understand and raise awareness about issues around the globe beyond the
single story
To explore our role as global citizens and social advocates
To build and use our voices to advocate for change

The Process:

Part 1 - Highlighting the Issues

As a class we will explore issues of concern around the globe and decide what basic
human rights every person should have. We will begin to familiarize ourselves with
current crisis and historical events that are still impacting countries today. We will begin
to question what is being done, by whom, and how effective those measures are. We will
also look at individuals who are making a difference by exploring what they are doing
and why they choose to do it.

Part 2 - Investigating an Issue

You will now begin to explore issues more in depth and choose a topic that is of interest
to you that you would like to see a change in. You will gather resources from credible
sites and books that explore what the issue is in its entirety. This will include looking at
the history of the issue, who is involved, what is happening, who is affected, what is
being done, and what still needs to happen.
Part 3 - Compose and Create
After exploring your topic you will use persuasive techniques to create a position paper
to raise awareness and advocate for change. Your paper will need to raise awareness,
advocate for change, and provide a proposal for how we can create change, in a
formally written essay.

Part 4- Represent
After exploring your topic you will use persuasive techniques to create a multimedia
presentation to raise awareness and advocate for change. What can we do, what should
we do and how will we do it? Your presentation will need to raise awareness, advocate
for change, and provide a proposal for how we can create change. You will not only
present, as you have likely done in the past, but facilitate a discussion. Basically, you
will teach a class and lead a discussion.
Requirements:
Paper:
Research a global social issue and develop a problem scenario and position paper to
teach others about the issue:
Formulate inquiry questions and refine them throughout the process
Identify and examine diverse information sources
Evaluate factors that affect the credibility, authenticity, accuracy, and bias of
sources
Synthesize information as it is collected, documenting sources accurately
Write a position paper (convincing argument):
Address an issue
Introduce the topic and state the position in the beginning
Support opinion with facts, details, and logical reasons in a coherent, logical, and
convincing order
Defend position against an important objection
End with a strong restatement of position
Defend position well and compel the reader to act
Create confidence in position through a clear and strong voice
Use inclusive and respectful language
Ensure all parts work together to build a thoughtful and convincing position
Presentation:
Prepare and present visual and multi-media presentations:
Exhibit logical structures appropriate to audience, purpose, and context
Have a central foci and strong messages
Organize ideas in logical and appropriate sequences
Include smooth transitions
Provide engaging introductions and conclusions
Use a variety of technologies such as sound, photographs, models and
understand how ideas are communicated through elements of design (e.g.,
colour, shape, line, texture, placement) and principles of design (e.g., proximity,
alignment, repetition, and contrast)
Uses appropriate language cues and conventions
Use other media to highlight the problem and point to possible solutions.
Use appropriately a variety of audio-visual aids to support and enhance oral
presentations and to engage an audience.
Create and present a visual or multimedia presentation persuading an audience to act on
an issue using presentation techniques most appropriate to audience and purpose:
Identify and establish that a problem exists (e.g., crime in a community)
Analyze the problem (e.g., what are the causes?)
Provide possible solutions (What has been tried? What has not been tried?)
Select a solution (Whats best? What are possible future obstacles?)
Persuade audience to implement solution
Support judgments with sound evidence and facts
Create and present oral presentations:
Communicate orally in a clear and coherent manner
Use vocal strategies appropriately, including tone, pace, pitch, and volume.
Use a variety of non-verbal strategies appropriately, including facial expression,
gestures, and eye contact.
Adjust oral presentation elements, such as articulation, pronunciation, volume,
tempo, pitch, stress, gestures, poise, etc., in keeping with purpose, audience
need, and intent.
Plan and lead a workshop/seminar presentation:
Define topic, goals, and objectives for the workshop
Plan for and encourage active participation