AP Language and Composition

Spring 2015

Famous Figures Research Project

Transcendentalist/Materialist

Manifesto with Panel

Discussion and Debate

Many successful television shows and dramas have been based on the premise that individuals from various eras,
some of whom may even be deceased, come together for a meeting of the minds. These people would never have
met in real life, but audiences are fascinated by what they might have said to one another if indeed they had,
somehow, met.
You are going to prepare to simulate one of these television shows or dramas by performing biographical research on a
prominent figure of your choosing (be they currently living or deceased)and synthesizing the information you glean
from these resources into a (creatively titled) manifesto from their perspective (yes you MAY use I we and you).
Once the research and drafting phase is complete, you will participate (speaking AS your research topic) in a panel
discussion and debate; the televised meeting of the minds. The discussion and debate will act as a sort of peer edit
of your work, testing your knowledge of the famous figure you have selected and potentially presenting you with some
new topics and ideas to consider in revising the rough draft of your manifesto.
Research Notes Find biographical information in the life and work of your
selected figure. This information will be synthesized and used to ARGUE their
stance on three issues of your choosing. You will be required to find 4-8 sources
and cite them using proper MLA style within (parenthetical), and at the end
(Works Cited) of your essay. Try to use at least one PRIMARY SOURCE (written or
said by the person) and make use of quotes stated BY them, not just quotes and
paraphrases ABOUT them. I will be reviewing the research process and checking in
with you on the progress of this research along the way, but I will not be defining
the method of note-taking or outlining that you must use. I want you to practice
college-level research writing, which means you need to figure out how you best
work and organize yourself accordingly. I will warn you that those students who
fail to budget time and/or keep themselves organized tend to receive lower scores (especially in the area of
ORGANZATION).
Notes should be taken that will help to ascertain the famous figures opinion of/ stance on ANY and ALL of the following
topics (you may use these for panel discussions AND manifesto writing, so even if it is not an area that you intend to
touch upon in your manifesto, having some notes on it may behoove you). I am asking that you provide evidence of
your research that includes a MINIMUM of 40 notes (including at least 10 quotes), but you may have more as needed.
Ultimately you will make assertions that fit under THREE of these umbrella topics in your written manifesto:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Education (value of/ intuition over reason/importance of history)

Economics/ Business (how to be successful/how to treat employees/trade)
Government (who should run/how should be run/political leanings/civil disobedience)
Civil Rights (freedom/racism/sexism/ageism/prejudices/laws pertaining to)
Civic Responsibility (humanitarianism/philanthropy/community service)
Nature (Value of/Keeping Green)
Technology/Industrialization/Scientific Advancement (What did they contribute? What do they feel
about its purpose and role in the world? Are they supporters or detractors? What would they think of
that which is available today?)
Self-Reliance/Non-Conformity

Manifesto - After research, write a first-person 6-8 page (Typed in Times New Roman or Calibri/double spaced)
manifesto; presenting your panelists philosophy of life for the time in which he/she lived and their ideals for the
future (and/or take on current state of affairs if they are deceased). This assignment WILL require critical thinking
(outside-the-box) and imagination, because the information you find in the biographies may not directly tell your
panelists view on the selected topics. You should make use of the evidence you find in the biography to decide what
you THINK they would say about each issue. Utilize their life experiences, quotes, and primary sources to make and
support your statements. Every statement you make MUST be backed up with (parenthetically cited because you are
writing AS the famous figure, in-text citations would be difficult to use) evidence from CREDIBLE sources.
Panel Discussion and Debate On Discussion/Debate Day, you will come to class with a costume and/or prop to
represent your panelist and take turns sitting at desks in the front of the classroom to be a part of moderated
discussions/open debates. Each round will start with the panelists writing their name on a provided white board,
introducing themselves briefly and sharing the symbolic costume/prop they brought with them. The moderator (your
teacher) will then take over and ask the panelists each a few questions. Some questions will be directed to all
panelists at the desks and other to a specific one or two people. At the end of this, the moderator will open the floor to
any other panelists in the audience or at the desks who wish to ask debate questions of their own.. You should always
speak in first person (as your panelist) on the topics presented by the moderator (your teacher). At the end of each
panel discussion the moderator will open the floor for questions from the panelists (on that days panel and/or seated
in the audience). You should ask questions that you think your panelist would like to ask those seated at the front of
the room (ie: If you have a panelist who opposes big business, you might have some pointed questions for people like
Donald Trump/ if you have a panelist who focuses their life on technology you might wonder why anyone would want
to live in a tree for a year like Julia Butterfly Hill.) Be prepared to ask a question at least once during the course of our
panel discussions.