Presidents Report

 
Getting Started:
First, read about the President you will be writing the report on. Read as much information about the President as you can find. Try the Internet and the library; try a good search engine (like Google.com), Whitehouse.gov, an encyclopedia, books, or even videos.

As you're finding out about your President, take notes on key information, such as important dates, critical events in the President's life, people who influenced his life, major world events during his life, etc.

The Structure of Your Report: Minimum three pages 12 point font double spaced
Start your report with an introductory paragraph that introduces the President and summarizes his life. Then write at least four to five paragraphs that clearly describe your President. Each paragraph should cover one topic (for example, you should have at least one paragraph that describes the President's early life). The report should be in three major sections, early life (pre-presidency), the presidency, and post-presidency. End the report with a closing paragraph that summarizes what you wrote and learned, plus the President's legacy.

Finally, cite your references (see the section below on formats for your bibliography).

Check that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct. Make sure to use complete sentences and write neatly! Define any technical terms that you use. Proofread your report for errors before you hand it in -- do not hand in a rough draft.

Topics to Research and Include in Your Report:
When you write your report, try to include as many of the following topics as you can:

  • Early Life:
    • Date and place of birth
    • Parents (including occupations)
    • Siblings (brothers and sisters) and other close family members
    • Education
    • Important people or event(s) that molded this person's character
    • Early career
    • Marriage, children
    • What led to this person running for President
  • The Presdidency:
    • Term(s) of office
    • Politiical party affiliation
    • Vice-President
    • Important events/acts that occured during this Presidency
    • People who influenced this President
  • After the Presidency:
    • Place of residence
    • Activities the President did during this time
    • Date and cause of death
    • The legacy of this President

Citing Your References: When you write your bibliography, list all of your references. Cite your sources in Chicago style you may useSon of Citation to help you format. 

The Following is a Rubric For Assessing each Part of Your Research Report:
. Beginning
1		 Developing
2		 Accomplished
3		 Excellent
4		 Score
Introduction Disorganized, no information on what is to come Gives too little information. Summarizes report Concise, well-written introduction .
Research Part 1
(The President's early life)		 Does not cover all appropriate topics Covers some of the appropriate topics. Covers most of the appropriate topics. All appropriate topics covered well. Also includes interesting facts. .
Research Part 2
(The Presidency)		 Does not cover all appropriate topics Covers some of the appropriate topics. Covers most of the appropriate topics. All appropriate topics covered well. Also includes interesting facts. .
Research Part 3
(Post-Presidency)		 Does not cover all appropriate topics Covers some of the appropriate topics. Covers most of the appropriate topics. All appropriate topics covered well. Also includes interesting facts. .
Spelling/Grammar Many spelling and grammatical errors A few errors Only one or two errors Spelling and grammar perfect .
Presentation Illegible, messy Almost illegible Legible writing, accompanying illustrations Well organized presentation, typed or written using a word processor, accompanying illustrations .
References No references A single reference, incomplete citation Several references with incomplete citations Many references, listed in appropriate format .
Timeliness Over a week late A week late A day or two late Handed in on time .
Oral portion of your report.
On your given day you will give an oral report to the class in which you will outline your presidents major achievemnets. You may use your paper as a guide but you may not read from it. You may prepare 3X5 index cards and must produce visual aids to help in your delivery, you may use PowerPoint, or poster boards.

Rubric for Oral Report

Attribute

1 - Not Acceptable

2 - Below Expectations

3 - Meets Expectations

4 - Exceeds Expectations

Score

Effective use of Visual Aids (VA)

 

 

 

 

 

Clarity and readability of Visual Aids

not clear or unreadable

difficult to read

clear and readable

superior clarity and readability

 

Use of space on VA

VA unreadable because too crowded

too little or too much information of VA

appropriate amount of information on VA

VAs very well designed

 

Lettering readable

font unreadable

font too small

font readable

 

 

Color, over- or under-use (if used)

colors too hard to distinguish, colors do not project well

poor choice and use of colors

primary/easily distinguishable colors

use of color enhances clarity of presentation

 

Wording concise

slides full of text

slides too wordy

slides appropriate

 

 

Appropriate amount of information per VA

so much or so little information per VA to make VA useless

too much information per VA, missing information such as labels on axis

appropriate level of information per slide

 

 

Effective use of Software to prepare visual aids

sloppy, format for graphs not followed

poor, some format errors

appropriate, all formats followed

superior clarity, all formats followed

 

Presentation organization

 

 

 

 

 

Logical order of topics

totally disjointed, no organization

some items presented out of order

organization as per guidelines

superior organization enhances communication

 

Appropriate use of time: Not too long /short

far too long or far too short

somewhat too long or too short

appropriate length

 

 

Complete "story" told

story missing, no story told

story incomplete

complete story told

 

 

Introduction and overview: Problem stated

problem not stated,

problem poorly stated

problem clearly stated

problem clearly stated, good perspective on problem shown

 

Constraints and assumptions explained

missing constraints or assumptions

some constants or assumptions not stated

constraints and assumptions stated

constraints and assumptions clearly stated and explained

 

Methodology or approach: coverage appropriate (if applicable)

methodology not explained

methodology unclear

methodology clear

theoretical development methodology so clear as not to require questioning

 

Problem solution

problem not solved or solution not explained

problem solution fuzzy

most of problem solution explained

problem solution superior or beyond expectations

 

Conclusions/Recommendations: Significance explained

inadequate conclusions or recommendations, or conclusion and recommendations not based on facts presented

present, but not logical, significance not explained

present, logical, significance clearly explained

present, logical, superior explanations of significance and relevance

 

Group Presentation (if applicable)

 

 

 

 

 

Even division of effort

one person clearly dominates or did not contribute

apparent uneven distribution of effort

even division of effort

each member made a significant contribution

 

Interaction between team members

it is clear that solution did not result from good team interaction

poor interaction between team members apparent

good teamwork

clearly team functioned well, product clearly exceeds sum of parts

 

All members of group understand solution

clearly at least one member unaware of solution/strategy

unclear that all members understand solution and methodology

all members understand complete solution and methodology

all members understand solution, what they did, and what team members did

 

Presentation Mechanics

 

 

 

 

 

Voice volume, enunciation, speed

unintelligible or had to

voice hard to hear, words slurred or voice trails off, spoke too slow or too fast, monotone with little emphasis

voice clearly heard, words clearly enunciated, did not speak too slowly or too rapidly

voice projected very well, clear enunciation, did not speak too slowly or rapidly

 

Hesitations, other voice habits

presentation full of hesitations, ums, ahs, etc.

some hesitations, ums, ahs, etc.

clear, continuous presentation, perhaps a few ums, ahs, etc.

superior presentation, free of ums, ahs, etc.

 

Distracting mannerisms

presentation full of distracting mannerisms such as giggling

some distracting mannerisms

no distracting mannerisms

superior presentation

 

Maintaining eye contact

no eye contact at all

poor eye contact &endash; looking down or at screen significant portion of time

maintained eye contact other than quick glances at screen

maintained eye contact with all segments of the audience

 

Poise

clearly unsure, nervous, confused

at times appears unsure, nervous, confused

composed at all times

exudes/convey confidence

 

Body language

immobile, hands in pockets, or blocked screen

didn't always indicate how material on VA was related to presentation

consistently used gestures to coordinate oral and visual presentation

excellent use gestures to provide emphasis

 

Response to Questions

 

 

 

 

 

Direct / evasive

non-responsive

evasive or inaccurate

clear and direct

very clear and complete

 

Complete

nonexistent

incomplete

complete

complete and enhancing result and communication

 

Appropriate participation (for groups/if applicable)

clearly at least one member unable to respond

not all members participate appropriately

all members participate appropriately

all members can answer questions on all aspects of presentation

 


 
Last Modified: Monday, Dec. 20, 2010
 
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