Name ____________________________
Block ___________
Western Civ’s Next Top Monarch
The next season of Western Civ’s Next Top Monarch, a prime time show on NBC, is ready to
film, and you are the stars! Your group will prepare one of the national leaders from the Era
of Absolutism for their performance on the show, where they will try to convince the students
of Western Civ (and perhaps some celebrity judges) to vote them as the Next Top Monarch!
Five rulers have been invited to this episode: Elizabeth I of England, Philip II of Spain, Louis
XIV of France, and Frederick the Great of Prussia.
Each ruler, or a representative, will prepare for the three rounds of competition on this
episode. First, the ruler will speak about their political accomplishments. Then, a
representative of the ruler will speak on the social, cultural, and economic achievements of
their country under their rule. Finally, a representative (or representatives) will speak
against the other candidates.
Your group will:
1. Research your ruler’s accomplishments and achievements, and the achievements of
their country.
2. Research your assigned opponents and all the reasons that ruler should not be the
Next Top Monarch.
3. Write a 2-minute presentation about the political accomplishments of your ruler.
4. Write a 2-minute presentation about the social, cultural, and economic achievements of
your country.
5. Write a 1-minute presentation against each of your assigned opponents.
6. Determine which group member will deliver each presentation.
7. Create any visual aids for your presentations as appropriate (possibly including, but
not limited to: costumes, posters, or slide shows.
Rebuttal Assignments
This country…
England
Spain
France
Prussia
…will speak against these countries.
Spain, France
France, Prussia
Prussia, England
England, Spain
Date of the show’s taping: _____________________________________________________________
My country: ___________________________________________________________________________
My groupmates: _______________________________________________________________________
My role within the group:
Ruler
S/C/E Speech
Rebuttal 1
Rebuttal 2
As per the rubric below, your grade will be partly based on the group’s output, and partly on
your own effort towards the group’s goal.
Western Civilization
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41-44. Compare the development of monarchical governments in 16th-17th century Europe.
Unit 7 – Absolutism
Next Top Monarch
Rubric
C RIT ERIA
Political
Speech
E XCELLENT
Knowledge of
Topic
D OES N OT M EET
S CO RE
E XPECT ATI ONS
Effectively describes
accomplishments and
political developments.
Within time limits.**
Adequately describes
accomplishments, but
unclear or incomplete.
Over time limit.**
Misses or misattributes
major accomplishments.
Below time limit.**
Effectively describes
Adequately describes
achievements, but
unclear or incomplete.
Over time limit.**
Misses or misattributes
major achievements.
Below time limit.**
Effectively counters
major arguments for
other leaders. Within
time limits.**
Arguments lack detail
or clear distinction
between leaders. Over
time limit.**
Arguments irrelevant or
also apply to own leader.
Below time limit.**
Effectively highlights
negatives of others and
positives of own leader.
Some questions do not
advance argument in
favor of leader.
Questions reflect lack of
research or do not
advance argument.
All of them.
Most of them.
Some or none.
Social/Cultural country’s achievements
/Economic
and developments.
Within time limits.**
Speech
Rebuttals
A DEQU AT E
___/20
___/20
___/20
___/10
Follows
Directions
___/10
Responsibilities met
Individual Role during presentation and
preparation. Maintains
proper character and
decorum throughout.
Group Member
Ratings
Group members rated
your performance as
beneficial to group.
Group somewhat
struggled with areas of
your responsibility.
Mostly maintains
character and
appropriate behavior.
Areas of your
responsibility were
major problems for
group. Fails to act
appropriately during
performances.
Group members were
satisfied with your
performance.
Group members
identified
responsibilities not met.
___/10
Total
___/10
____/100
**Time limits: for a 2-minute speech, should be between 1:30 and 2:15. For a 1-minute speech,
should be between :45 and 1:10. Yes, this means you should practice.
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