Individual Oral Presentation

The IOP is a formally assessed exam for the IB. The IB upholds the deadlines that the school creates, meaning that you MUST present on the day you are assigned. If, for some reason, you are unable to present on the day you are assigned, you must arrange to switch with another student at least three days before the presentation. Otherwise, barring a medical emergency, you are expected to present. If you are not present on the day of your presentation, you will receive a zero for the assessment and will not receive your IB Diploma. AVOID PLAGIARISM Make sure that whatever ideas you use from other sources to supplement your own ideas are clearly cited in a bibliography at the end of the presentation and on a typed page submitted to me before the presentation. Failure to acknowledge sources may result in a zero for the assignment for plagiarism and the inability to receive an IB Diploma. If you use ANY idea, whether a direct quote or not, without giving the source credit, it is plagiarism. This includes ideas, even incidental, that you may get from various internet sites. It also includes quotes from the texts. ALL these things should be cited correctly in a correctly formatted Works Cited page and within the presentation. If you find that you have nothing in your presentation that does not come from other places, this does not speak well about your own understanding of the text. When in doubt, cite your source. For example, the passage below is plagiarized because it quotes a source directly without giving credit.
Through the Chief's warped vision we see the control the Nurse maintains over the ward. She even masters time, occasionally making it go so fast that the view out the window turns from morning to night in seconds, then slowing it to a snail's pace.

However, the following passage is STILL plagiarized, because it takes ideas from somewhere elseeven if its not the exact wordingand presents them as their own. Chiefs perspective distorts the control that Nurse Ratched has in the ward, showing her to master time, even changing the speed at which time flows, such as adjusting the speed at which night passes. While I know doing citations can seem tedious, it is imperative that you do it. If you are not clear how, check this web site: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/. There are lots of other resources, if you choose to look.

NOTE CARDS Notes MUST be in bullet point form NOT fully developed sentences. They should also be very minimal to encourage you to engage with the audience and for me to know that the language is your own and not someone elses. Notes for the presentation must be approved by me at least one DAY before your presentation. If you do not get your notes approved by me before hand, you will not be allowed to use ANY notes.

THE PROCESS
STEP ONE: Choose one or two texts to analyze STEP TWO: Narrow a topic and begin collecting evidence. Please notethis DEMANDS that you read the actual text and do not go searching the Internet for ideas. I will not approve a thesis statement unless you demonstrate that you have actually grappled with the text independently and have collected sufficient evidence to make an intelligent statement about the text. STEP THREE: ONLY after you have a broad base of evidence should you establish a thesis statement. Your thesis statement must have three main elements: 1. The name of the text(s) and author(s) 2. The focus of your analysis 3. Why the focus of your analysis is important For example, Yasunari Kawabata in Thousand Cranes uses his description of necks to emphasize the emotions of the characters and highlight the degradation of Japanese society. STEP FOUR: Develop the heart of your argument. Assume that the audience does not agree with you, so you must convince them using powerful and compelling proof from the text and analysis of the text. Steps Three and Four concentrate on Criterion A: Knowledge & Understanding. STEP FIVE: Once you know WHAT you want to say, now you need to work on HOW you want to say it. Consider your audience. Consider what presentations you have seen that are effective (and ones that you know you dont want to imitate.) Choose a style that is most effective for the audience and the content. While some kind of visual to emphasize key points is recommended, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE A POWERPOINT. Be creative by incorporating appropriate short music or video clips. Remember, though, you want your technique to

enhance what you are saying not detract from it. This step is associated with Criterion B: Presentation. STEP SIX: Practice. Practice. Practice. The less you have to think about what to say, the more relaxed you can be about engaging with the audience. You will also use fewer filler words. To score well on Criterion C: Language, make sure you Use formal language, even though it is to an audience of peers Have a specific purpose for varying from formal language (quotes, humor, etc.) Use precise terms

NOTE: It is critical that I see all stages of your planning for two important reasons: first, to make sure that you are on track for a successful presentation; second, to validate that your presentation is not plagiarized.

Common Mistakes Knowledge & Understanding

Choosing a topic that is too broad, so it demands more summary than analysis Using information easily found on Internet sites or from discussions in class Pointing out information without explaining why its important Remaining stationary for the entire presentation Using too much information on the slides Reading off a script Speaking in a voice that is too quiet and/or monotone

Positive Techniques
Choosing a topic that shows careful, independent reading Clearly demonstrating the impact of the topic within the book and without Using very selective supporting quotes that require analysis Providing insights and analysis that show independent thought about the work Make consistent eye contact Move around the classroom Use appropriate music or short video clips to vary the pacing Use a remote mouse or clicker so you are not limited to standing beside your computer Limit the slides to images or minimal wording Memorize and practice the presentation Modulate your voice for effect

Presentation

Language

Being too informaluse of terms like, you guys or and all that stuff or like. Long pauses or lapses Note: If you read off a script, I can give you no higher than a 2/10, as I dont know if the wording is actually yours.

Use precise literary terms Use more sophisticated sentence structures and vocabulary Practice, so that your speech is fluent If you do break into informal language, make sure it is done intentionally for effect

FURTHER INFORMATION
The presentation should be 10-15 minutes. If the presentation goes longer than 15 minutes, you will be cut off and graded for the portion within the time limit. Some possible approaches An explanation of a particular aspect of an authors work The examination of a particular interpretation of a work The setting of a particular writers work against another body of material, for example, details on social background or political views A commentary on the use of a particular image, idea or symbol in one text or in a writers work A performance or a pastiche of a poem being studiedthis activity should be followed by some explanation and discussion of what the student attempted to do A comparison of two passages, two characters or two works A commentary on a passage from a work studied in class, which has been prepared at home The presentation of two opposing readings of a work A monologue or dialogue by a character at an important point in the work Reminiscences by a character from a point in later life An authors reaction to a particular interpretation of elements of his or her work in a given context (for example, a critical defense of the work against a charge of subversion, or immorality, before a censorship board) Please note that students who choose creative presentations should provide a rationale for what they have done.