1. http://hscurriculum.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/file/ view/GradProhandbook2013.pdf/429564668/Gra dProhandbook2013.pdf The Graduation Project

2. The Components The 4 P’s: Paper, Product, Presentation, Portfolio The Paper: 1. 6-8 pages 2. Minimum of 5 sources (one primary) 3. MLA format * For information on the product, presentation, and portfolio see page 7 of the manual.

3. Choosing a Topic It should be something you are interested in. It shouldn’t bee too broad or too narrow. The topic should lead to new learning and help you grow as a student. You are not expected to spend money to complete this project. You should avoid choosing topics that might be harmful to yourself or others. Your project should be school appropriate. You have to present it to a Review Board.

4. Narrowing your Focus Think of at least 3 ideas you may be interested in by asking yourself the following questions. 1. What are my interests? 2. What do I know a lot about? 3. What would I like to know more about? 4. What effect does it have? 5. Why does it matter? 6. Why is it important? 7. How could it be better? 8. Why should people care?

5. Narrowing your focus Avoid being too general by narrowing your focus. 1. Is there a specific time period I could focus on? 2. Is there a specific geographic area I could focus on? 3. Is there a particular aspect of this topic I’d like to focus on? *See page 18 of the graduation project manual for further help.

6. Choose Your Topic List three possible topics Identify the topic you are most interested in. Seek approval from your teacher before continuing.

7. Developing a Thesis 1.Determine what kind of paper you are writing: An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience. An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience. An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an evaluation, a cause-and-effect statement, or an interpretation. The goal of the argumentative paper is to convince the audience that the claim is true based on the evidence provided.

8. Developing a Thesis Example of an analytical thesis statement: An analysis of the college admission process reveals one challenge facing counselors: accepting students with high test scores or students with strong extracurricular backgrounds. The paper that follows should: Explain the analysis of the college admission process Explain the challenge facing admissions counselors

9. Developing a Thesis Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement: The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers. The paper that follows should: Explain how students spend their time studying, attending class, and socializing with peers

10. Developing a Thesis Example of an argumentative thesis statement: High school graduates should be required to take a year off to pursue community service projects before entering college in order to increase their maturity and global awareness. The paper that follows should: Present an argument and give evidence to support the claim that students should pursue community projects before entering college

11. Thesis Statement Write your thesis statement. Ex. Claim and reasons Remember that what you state in your thesis statement is what you will be discussing in your paper. Seek approval from your teacher before continuing.