Research Paper

Assignment #4: Presentation of Research
Assignment Goals:

Propose plans for problem-solution research essay
Demonstrate knowledge of purpose, audience, thesis writing, effective
organization, and research strategies
Demonstrate effective presentation skills
Compose academic content outside of traditional essay format
Demonstrate awareness of visual rhetoric
Offer and receive useful peer feedback

Assignment:
This assignment asks you to present your research on the problem-solution topic you have been researching since unit 3. Your presentation should be 5-8 minutes long and should include a thesis statement (this should be the only complete sentence in your presentation); history and background information; an overview of the problem(s); and a proposed solution. Support for each section should include visuals (charts, graphs, relevant photos, etc.) and other meaningful visual material. The presentation should also contain voice recording.  Your PowerPoint or Prezi should “walk” your audience through your research on the topic.
Note: while production quality is not necessarily a requirement, a video or creative approach to this multimodal composition project could be very effective. Remember, goals are to make an argument and support it with research. Consider our discussions this term on visual rhetoric and using available means of persuasion beyond the written word. 
You will upload the presentation to D2L for grading and peer feedback. Again, your presentation must include voice recording and should follow the guidelines for effective presentations and design. Remember, the content on the PowerPoint or Prezi slides should be support for your discussion, and should not be the primary discussion itself. I will post resources in D2L for you explaining how to do the voice recording and best tips for presentation design.

Required Information:

Identify your research questions
Propose a specific and arguable thesis statement appropriate for a 5-8 minute presentation on the topic
Support thesis through several “body” slides that offer history, background, issues/problems related to topic, research trends, etc. 

Design Tips:

Do not put complete sentences on slides—leave this for the voice recording.
Only use graphics and pictures that add meaning to your presentation. Cite these correctly.
Avoid overloading slides with information. It’s okay to have many slides–it’s just not okay to have overloaded slides. 
Do not show paragraphs of text. 
Use graphs, charts, and pictures where appropriate.
Be sure to give proper credit using MLA or APA format. Include a Works
Cited or References slide at the end.
Test presentation before posting to make sure voice recording works
properly.
Think carefully about any animations or transitions between slides. Make sure they enhance the work and do not distract. 

Again, be sure you have reviewed the presentation skills notes in the week 13 folder in D2L.