Real American Issues PBL:

Individual Research Component

Requirements

For your individual research component, you will turn in both a synthesis of your research
and your typed research report (1-2 pages in length).

Remember that the APA wants a full and accurate picture of the problem. You need to
research that explains the problem in depth, shows what’s going on and how it affects
teenagers, but also some sources that might give suggestions or help you create ideas on
how to solve the issue.

Research:
1) Start a new Word document.
2) Add your MLA header.
3) For each source you use, you need the following information:
a. Title of Article/Video/Website
b. Author (if none given, state no author given)
c. Direct link to website
d. Your notes (bullet points are acceptable)
e. A brief summary of how you might use the source/why it might be helpful to
you.
You must use a minimum of six sources.
Your sources should all be credible – meaning academic or trustworthy news sources. Look
for websites ending in .edu or .org or those from reputable news outlets. Be wary of
anything that looks unprofessional or amateur. Last but not least, Wikipedia is NOT a
source! Any ding dong can add information to Wikipedia and act like it’s legitimate.

4) It doesn’t matter in the end whether or not your group uses information from sources
that you read – no matter what, you must obtain information from at least six
sources.
5) Submit your research synthesis to Ms. Yeganegi when you turn in your research
report. *If you would like direct feedback from her, then submit it no later than
Friday, March 2, so she can get back to you.
Report:
1) Add your MLA header.
2) Format your report in MLA style (double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font,
etc.)
3) The purpose of this is to show what you learned about your issue and potential
solutions/improvements for real teenagers. Therefore, you are not creating an
argument, but simply introducing a summary of your problem, what you learned from
your sources, and your preliminary ideas of how to solve it.
4) Be sure to cite appropriately all sources used in your research report. *You do not
necessarily have to include very source that you view, but if you use any information,
it must be cited.* A Works Cited page should be included.
5) This is an INDIVIDUAL report, meaning that all members of your group must write and
submit their own reports. Your reports should not be the same; your sources should
not be exactly the same either. The research is not collaborative, you are just
collaborating on your non-profit and parts of your project once the research is done.
*You can, however, discuss each of your findings and share information that might
help you create your solutions.*
6) Your report should be one page minimum, two pages maximum.
7) Submit your report to Ms. Yeganegi no later than Monday, March 12.
Rubric
Statement of Purpose/ Focus and
Organization
__________/40 points
The response is fully sustained and
consistently and
purposefully focused:
• Thesis is focused, clearly stated,
and strongly maintained
• Thesis
introduced and communicated
clearly for the purpose, audience,
and task.
_________/20
The report has a clear and effective
organizational structure creating
unity and
completeness:
• A variety of transitional strategies
is consistently
used to effectively clarify the
relationships between and among
ideas
• Progression of ideas from
beginning to end is logical
• Introduction and conclusion are
effective for audience and purpose
• Appropriate sentence structure
variety
produces strong connections among
ideas
___________/20
TOTAL: ______________/100
Evidence/Elaboration Editing/Conventions
____________/40 points _____________/20 points
The response provides thorough The response displays adequate
and convincing command
support/evidence for the thesis of all grade level and preceding
that includes the effective use of level conventions of writing:
sources, facts, and details. The • Few errors in usage and sentence
response achieves substantial depth formation may be present, but no
that is specific and systematic pattern of errors is
relevant: displayed
• Use of evidence from sources is • Use of punctuation, capitalization,
smoothly integrated, cited, and
comprehensive, relevant, spelling is adequate
and concrete
____________/20
__________/20
The response demonstrates
strategic use of
language to produce clear
communication:
• Precise language clearly and
effectively expresses ideas
• Use of academic and domain-
specific vocabulary is clearly
appropriate for the
audience and purpose
____________/20