Research Simulation Task – Grade 8

Research Simulation Task The research simulation task is a challenging task for the following reasons: You will have to balance three or more sources (articles, videos, interactive websites, graphs, etc.) as you consider your essay topic You must synthesize the sources into a thesis-driven essay (the primary claim of your paper). You will be tested on how well you can read & write in relation to a particular subject which is the topic for the assignment.

(85 minute time length) You have reviewed four sources regarding ways to address the shortage of clean water, which is a problem for many communities in the world.. Source A: “Beyond Thirst: The Global Water Crisis” by Kathiann M. Kowalski (Article) Source B: “You Are Drinking What?” by Paul Kix (Article) Source C: “Desalination” (Graphs with Accompanying Text) Source D: “California drought gives 'toilet to tap' a new level of attention” (Web Article with Video) What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a possible solution for the problem of clean water? Write an essay that argues for what you think are the three most important factors to consider when choosing a possible solution for providing clean water.  Be sure to support your argument with claims that are developed with clear reasons and relevant evidence from at least three of the sources.  Be sure to follow the conventions of standard written English. RST Sample

While reading each source…Be sure to ask yourself… What is the main idea the author wishes to convey? What statistics seem to be important, especially when I have to write the essay? What type of bias (an unfair preference for one thing over another) does the author have in writing the piece? Can the information be interpreted in a way different from the way the author presents it? How can I use the arguments given to further my opinion on the matter?

Steps to Achieve Success on the RST… 1. Read through the question carefully. Make sure to decipher if the question is asking you to convey an opinion, or to convey information/research objectively. * The question for THIS TASK is asking you to convey an opinion (make an argument) 2. Simplify what the question is asking you to do. Put the question or task into your own words. *example: What are the three most important factors to consider with regard to the drinking water crisis? 3. Circle the minimum amount of sources that NEED to be addressed. * 3 sources

RST Sample…Let’s Analyze the Prompt…What are we being asked to do? What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a possible solution for the problem of clean water? Write an essay that argues for what you think are the three most important factors to consider when choosing a possible solution for providing clean water.  Be sure to support your argument with claims that are developed with clear reasons and relevant evidence from at least three of the sources.  Be sure to follow the conventions of standard written English.

Steps to Achieve Success on the RST… 4. Take notes with each of the sources. Address the source’s main points. Underline/highlight actively. 5. Make separate notes on the reliability of these sources. Is the source reliable in general? Is it slanted (biased) in any way? 6. Choose the sources that you are most comfortable with, and put an asterisk (*) next to them.

Steps to Achieve Success on the RST…Writing the RST 7. Copy the arguments and textual evidence you will use in your essay into a prewriting chart. On the PARCC, there should be a box for prewriting. 8. Look at the relationships of your sources. Do they agree with each other? Do they disagree? 9. Compose a quick outline of your essay. (ORGANIZE YOUR BODY PARAGRAPHS BY THEME, NOT BY EACH SOURCE). 10. Complete your essay using the framework/outline as a guide. 11. After you complete your essay…make sure your sources have a conversation. In other words, ensure you have information from multiple sources in your response.

RST Source Information On the following pages, you will find sample assessment questions related to the first three sources only. At the end of this packet are Source A and Source B, both articles, printed for your use with the end-of-unit writing task. Source C (Graphs with Accompanying Information) is also printed for your use with the writing task. Source D, (Online Article with Video), can be found at the following link for your use with the writing task: level-of-attention.html (link on my website for this source as well). level-of-attention.html