enior
Mrs. Daugherty

apstone
roject
AP English Language & Composition

2016-17
Welcome to your senior year and AP English Language & Composition! This year holds many exciting challenges for you:
Homecoming (with ‘80s Workout Day!), college applications, and the Senior Capstone Project. What is the Senior Capstone Project,
you ask? This document will provide the project’s parameters, grading criteria, and yearlong timeline.
ationale
st
The labor market of the 21 century demands skills unprecedented in previous generations. Those skills are organized into four
categories:
To prepare you for post-secondary education and careers, your coursework in high school should strive to hone those skills above. The
Senior Capstone Project was created with these objectives in mind. In addition to 21st Century Skills, this project meets the standards
set forth by College Board and the State of Indiana in reading, writing, listening/speaking, and research.
The framework for this assignment parallels the AP Research and AP Seminar courses under the AP Capstone Diploma program.
According to the College Board AP Capstone Implementation Guide (2015-16)1, the program was created “in response to feedback
from higher education [to] transform high schools and their students by elevating the learning environment through a rigorous,
college-level program with high standards of assessment.”
What does this assignment offer you?
 An opportunity for research, argumentation, and communication skills that stand at the centerpiece of college readiness and
essential for lifelong learning
 A means for you to challenge yourselves academically and explore/hone your passions and interests in specific research
topics
 A setting to build on your knowledge in an interdisciplinary format
 A forum to transform you into independent thinkers who gain self-confidence through finding your voice and pursuing your
passions
 A more rigorous approach to learning
 Customized learning according to your personal and professional goals
 Preparation for the workload, writing experiences, and expectations of undergraduate and graduate college courses.
 Practice and honing of skills outlined in the State of Indiana Academic Standards and the College Board
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See: College Board. AP Capstone Implementation Guide 2015-16. The College Board, 2016. PDF file.
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arameters
Exploring different points of view and making connections across disciplines are fundamental components of
this assignment. You will consider a single topic or issue through a variety of lenses and from multiple
perspectives, many of which are divergent or competing. Analyzing topics through multiple lenses aids in
disciplinary understanding and gives you a rich appreciation for the complexity of important issues. The
following outlines the requirements and guidelines for this project:
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
Begin by considering general areas of interest. Explore several of the following lenses:
a. Artistic and philosophical
b. Cultural and social
c. Economic
d. Environmental
e. Ethical
f. Futuristic
g. Political and historical
h. Scientific
Search for peers with similar interests. You will be a part of a group of 4-6 students. Any “orphans” will
be placed by the instructor. You are responsible for the group you choose. If you have any conflicts, you
must resolve that conflict and continue to pursue the best possible solution. Groups will not change after
December 31st.
Begin exploring problem areas within these topics and writing down questions that will help narrow
your topic. You should consider problems at the local, national, global, and academic, theoretical, and
philosophical levels.
Groups should follow Dewey’s Six Steps to Problem Solving2:
a) Define the problem: First, make sure you understand the problem. You will want to become
familiar with the business establishment and the nature of its business/industry. You will also want
to investigate the “problem” you have been assigned and research various related aspects.
b) Establish criteria for a workable solution: Your group must establish criteria, or set standards, that
your solution must meet. In other words, what should the solution look like? What do you want your
end project to look like? Some criteria will already be established for you in your specific project
assignment, but your group should expand those criteria to create a vision of the finished product.
c) Analyze the problem: During this phase of problem solving, the group should break the problem
down into small pieces for closer inspection. Some groups call this fact-finding, or research.
d) Suggest possible solutions: Begin by proposing as many solutions as possible. This part of the
process is called brainstorming. It is important to complete step 3 prior to brainstorming so that the
ideas can be as informed as possible. Once brainstorming has occurred, it is natural to go back and
research more. These steps occur back and forth several times before reaching step 5.
e) Evaluate each solution and select the best one: The next step is to consider your options. If two or
three solutions seem equally good, the group members should turn back to their criteria and make a
careful comparison. The best solution is the one that meets the most criteria for success.
f) Suggest ways for testing or carrying out the solution: Your group should ensure the solution is
practical. Play “devil’s advocate”; that is, ask yourselves difficult questions to see if the solution
solves. Make sure all criteria are met and that the solution is logical and practical and as simple as
possible (i.e., don’t use 100 steps if 10 will do the trick).
2
Taken from McCutcheon, Schaffer, and Wycoff. Speech: Communication Matters. 2nd ed. Lincolnwood, IL: National Textbook
Company, 2001. Print.
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2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
Once your groups are assembled, you will be assigned a teacher mentor, one who will help you narrow
your topic and help you create questions to explore. You must meet with your mentor on a regular basis,
even if only to share your team’s progress.
Log the team’s progress, beginning immediately once the team has formed. Each person should keep a
log because they will become a part of an individual reflection essay after the project is submitted.
This is a capstone project, which means your team will take several weeks to research, draft, edit, revise,
and publish. Although some class time will be dedicated to researching, writing, and working on the
projects, groups who wish to earn an “A” or “B” must spend considerable time outside of class. Each
group member should research, and one of the first jobs for the group is to delegate responsibilities.
The culmination of the project will be an oral presentation and defense of the research. The project
requires the following elements:
2.8.1 One written research report of 10,000-12,000 words. Groups of 4-5 are required to submit at
least 10,000 words, while groups of six must submit at least 12,000.
i. All sources must be cited parenthetically and include a works cited page(s) according to
MLA guidelines
ii. Students should provide graphic aids in text or as a part of an appendix.
iii. The paper will be organized using headings, and each paper must include a table of
contents of headings.
2.8.2 Team multimedia presentation and defense.
2.8.3 Team documentary/multimedia presentation and oral defense. The team present their projects to
the instructor and one outside critic, who will provide feedback. The grade will be determined by
the instructor, but the feedback by the third-party will be taken into consideration.
2.8.4 Individual reflection essay
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riteria for
3.1
uccess
Research paper: All reports must contain original work. Outside sources must be incorporated to score
well, and all sources are expected to be cited correctly, both parenthetically and on a separate works
cited page(s) using current MLA guidelines. This includes oral or written interviews with business
employees. Your researched paper should incorporate several credible print and electronic sources.
Your research report should meet these criteria:
o Use MLA standard guidelines: 1” margins, size 12 normal font, running header with pagination,
double-spaced.
o Contain between 10,000-12,000 words, not counting the works cited page. Groups of 4-5 students
are required to reach at least 10,000 words, and groups of 6 must reach at least 12,000.
o Reference any graphs, charts, tables, etc., in an appendix. Make sure all visual aids are clear.
o Use headings that divide the paper into sections (recommendation: use 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2,
etc.). See this handout for a model.
o Provide a detailed summary of the problem, possible solutions, a proposal for the most viable
solution, research supporting the solution, and anticipated outcome or benefit of the solution.
o All group members must research and write segments of the report equally.
o Each report must be printed with plain white paper, use black ink, and be placed in a folder, binder,
or report cover. This formal copy will remain with the corporation. Visual aids may be printed in
color.
o A separate report must be turned in to me, the teacher. It does NOT require a formal cover or folder.
This copy will NOT be returned to the student. It will remain on permanent file in the school
corporation. Teams must print a separate third copy for their own use during the presentation.
o Each group must submit a copy of the project to turnitin.com by the due date.
o Each report must contain a title page:
o
o
o
o
3.2
Title of report/Identification of problem
Company’s name (Bulkmatic Transport, Inc.)
Group members’ names and group name
Date of presentation (March XX, 2016).
Multimedia Presentation: Each group will present its problem and findings to corporate executives in a
multimedia presentation. Groups should burn their presentations onto a CD/DVD and keep a separate
copy on a flash drive in the event of a problem with the CD/DVD.
o The presentation must look professional. Do not get too fancy…simpler is better in the business
world.
o Groups must check that their presentations are clear, that no text is covered with images, or that the
colors are easy to see.
o Text must be clearly legible using simple fonts.
o Limit the presentation to 15-20 minutes. Because of time constraints, you must keep to this time
limit.
o Any graphics must support your purpose and add to the professionalism of your presentation.
o Each group member must present an equal amount of time or information.
o Do NOT use choral reading techniques. While creative, they are counterproductive in business
presentations.
o Each group member must present him/herself professionally in the presentation:
o Superior oral presentation skills (eye contact, voice projection, posture, gestures, rate, pitch, and
energy level);
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o Professional dress (suits and ties for gentlemen; dress suits (skirts or slacks) for ladies; dark dress
shoes, no high heels; appropriate hosiery or socks; simple make-up and jewelry; no visible
tattoos)
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ssessment
This assignment will comprise a large portion of your 2nd semester grade. It will have its own category, which
and determine 20% of your overall semester grade. The grade distribution is as follows:
4.1
Research report:
o Idea development
o Organization
o Word Choice
o Sentence Fluency
o Voice
o Conventions
o MLA Citation
 Works cited pages
 Turnitin.com
 In-text citation
o Formatting
1,000 points
300 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
Each error will cost your group a point, so you will want to review material frequently and practice and
critique your presentation often. Because this is an authentic assessment that will be viewed by the community,
it must be flawless.
4.2
Multimedia Presentation
500 points
o Information
100 points
 Do not write paragraphs—use lists, bullets, tables, etc.
 Handouts would be beneficial
o
o
o
o
o
Visual Efficacy
100 points
Conventions
100 points
Delivery (average)
100 points
Time (20-30 minutes) 50 points (5 points lost per minute under or over)
Professional quality
50 points
At the end of the presentation, your final score will be multiplied by the number of persons in your group. Then,
you as a group will assess your performance as a group and divide the total number of points however you wish.
Members may vote to diminish other members’ scores if they can prove that said member(s) did not do
his/her/their fair share of work or jeopardized the group’s score due to lack of preparation. If a student does not
do anything other than present, for example, or type or create parts of the presentation, the group has the right to
fail that member.
For example, assume a group has students A, B, C, and D. Student A did not do his/her fair share of research
and writing. If the group receives a score of 1,250 (83% B), the group would have 5,000 points to decide how to
divide the points. If ALL the other members decide to diminish Student A’s points so that he/she earns a C+,
they may decide to give Student A 1150 points, while the other students evenly divide the remaining points
(3,850 points ÷ 3 = 1283.3 points). The remaining group members’ grades would improve from 83% to 85%.
The final distribution of group points must be written down on a self-assessment form and defended in writing.
If everyone receives the same number of points, the defense of the distribution of the grade would simply read,
“Everyone contributed equitable effort to the project.” However, should a student’s grade be diminished, that
student has the right to appeal his/her grade. The appeal involves proving his/her involvement in the project and
defense of his/her desired grade to me, the teacher and with the remainder of the group present. Another teacher
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may be called in to arbitrate in the event of a dispute. Each member should keep copies of his/her work and
research in the event of a dispute. My final grade is your final grade.
A final word on integrity: The final version of the report must be submitted to Turn-It-In.com. A printed report
must be included with the teacher’s copy of the report. Failure to do so will result in an automatic loss of a letter
grade. Do not plagiarize; do not “borrow” other people’s writing unless you cite the source (in text and in the
works cited) or surround borrowed text with quotation marks with citation. Paraphrasing is NOT rewriting
someone else’s work and just switching or reordering a word or two. Paraphrasing requires the “closed book”
test: you should be able to summarize in your own words the general ideas in the text and follow it with a
parenthetical citation. Finally, do not steal former groups’ ideas or research. This is part of the learning process
YOU need to experience.
4.3
Alternative Assignment
If for any reason, any member of the team does not contribute to the group project, that student MUST complete
the alternative assignment or receive a ZERO on this entire project.
If a group member does not contribute and the entire group wishes to expel that member, said member must
complete the individual project. If a student knows he/she will not be able to contribute to the presentation,
he/she must take the alternative project.
**NOTE**
Any student who completes the alternative assignment has done so because of failure to comply with classroom
and coursework policy. Therefore, there will be an automatic ten-eleven (if a student were to score one hundred
percent) percent deduction on the final grade. In essence, no one can earn an <A> on the alternative assignment.
Alternative Assignment: Write a 10,000-word researched essay over a topic selected by Mrs. Daugherty. You
must present your essay’s findings in a PowerPoint presentation to a panel of teachers whom I will select. All
the same essay guidelines and requirements will apply as with the original Apprentice Project assignment.
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rading
riteria
The Research Paper: 1,000 Points Possible
Criterion
Description/Questions to Consider
Points/Possible
Idea Development
How well do you define and understand the problem? Do you show an
understanding of the industry? Do you research a number of solutions? Do you
provide adequate support for your proposal? Do you state a clear thesis that
reflects your understanding of the problem and your best solution for that
problem? Do you meet minimal word requirements?
300
Organization
How well do you organize your ideas? Do your ideas follow a logical order? Do
you use paragraphing effectively? Do your sentences support your paragraphs?
Do you use transitions between major ideas between paragraphs and within
them?
100
Do you use language effectively? Do you use language accurately and
succinctly, avoiding wordiness? Do you use industry jargon effectively and
when appropriate?
100
Do you incorporate a variety of simple, compound, and complex sentences? Do
you avoid overuse of long, convoluted sentences? Do you sentences reveal a
logical relationship of ideas? Do you use transitions between sentences to link
them logically?
100
Voice
Does your voice match your purpose? Is it appropriate for your audience? Do
you sound academic, confident, and professional?
100
Conventions
Does your paper employ standard English conventions (spelling, capitalization,
mechanics)?
100
MLA Citation
Do you use appropriate MLA citation rules? Do you cite every source in your
report? Can all your sources be found on the works cited page, and can all the
sources on your works cited page be located in your essay?
100
Do you follow all MLA guidelines? Correct margins? Font? Ink color? Does
each page contain a group name and pagination at the top right corner? Do you
incorporate headings to organize your essay? Do you use a report cover?
100
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Formatting
The PowerPoint Presentation: 500 Points Possible
Information
Do you provide enough information to articulate the problem area and
solution? Do your slides illustrate your points clearly?
100
Visual Efficacy
Does your presentation use color and graphics effectively? Are all slides easy
to read? Do you avoid writing large “chunks” of text?
100
Conventions
Do you employ standard English conventions (spelling, capitalization,
mechanics)?
100
Delivery
Does each member in your group use effective eye contact, vocal inflection,
pitch, pacing, posture, and gesturing? Does your group connect with your
audience?
100
Time
Do you meet the required time limit of 20-30 minutes? Do you fill the time
with quality presentation?
50
Professional Quality
Does the entire presentation have a professional feel? Do you dress
appropriately for the occasion? Do you behave professionally during the entire
presentation?
50
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imeline
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