Group Project Presentation Guidelines

GUIDELINES:

The goal of your group presentation is to offer unique insight into the piece of literature on which you are doing your presentation. You should discuss something that your classmates might not necessarily “get” from simply reading the literature. For this reason, your presentation should NOT consist of a simple summary of the literature, or of very basic autobiographical information on the author.

Rather, you really want to try to do something unique that approaches the literature from a more non-traditional direction and offers your classmates insights into the literature that they wouldn’t otherwise have had. Hopefully, your group will be teaching them something new and allowing them to look at the literature or author in a different light. This requires teaching on what I like to term as a “tangent.” For example, if you were doing your presentation on “Romeo and Juliet,” you might want to discuss what religion was like in Verona, Italy, during the time the play was set. What might it have been like to be a 13 year-old girl (that’s how old Juliet was) in that time and place? What would she have worn? Eaten? What would have been the social, religious, and political expectations placed on her by society? What would her parents have expected of her? What if you were a 16 year-old boy (Romeo)? Would these things have been different for him than for a girl? How?

These are just a few examples of the many approaches you could take for this piece of literature. You could approach the literature from a historical perspective, or a religious, sociological, or psychological perspective. You have lots of freedom. Also, your group could do an in-depth analysis of the symbolism if you want. You can examine whether or not an event in the author’s life prompted that particular piece of literature in some way (this is a way that a somewhat biographical presentation would be okay). Of course, I do expect you to make a direct connection between what you present and the specific piece of literature on which you are presenting. In other words, don’t discuss the historical context of the literature without referencing specific examples from that literature.

I encourage your group to be as creative as possible on your presentation. Taking a risk is often times very scary; however, an original approach to your assigned work often leads to a better grade. For example, if someone in your group can draw, have them do some sketches to help illustrate your presentation. Or, if someone plays the guitar, you might come up with a song to give your presentation (each person singing or reading a different part). You can use visual aids, handouts, music, costumes, props, etc… Keep in mind that an “average” presentation that approaches the literature in an “average” way will earn your group an “average” grade, at best.

As with everything, there are certain parameters within which you must work. Here they are:

1. This will require some organization on your part. Therefore, you’ll need to meet, as a group, at some point outside of class to discuss, research, and “rehearse” your presentation. (I won’t always be there to remind you or chase you down. With freedom comes a heavy load.) Also, swapping email addresses and phone numbers within your group would be a great idea!

2. Your presentation must be at least 10 minutes long (Yes, I’ll be timing you!). Therefore, you should practice timing yourselves. Also, be prepared to have a question/answer section at the end of your presentation, and be prepared to ask your classmates questions when they are presenting.

3. Your group presentation must be accompanied by a 2-4 page (typed) paper that will serve as a sort of “defense” of your presentation. That means, you’ll need to select someone in your group to serve as a “recorder” and do the typing. The structure of the paper can be very informal. You can do it as a letter or memo to me discussing how you came up with your presentation idea, why you were so interested in doing your presentation that particular way, etc. Furthermore, your group paper should definitely address the main points you presented to the class. Also, your paper should list the date, name of the author you presented on, and the name of each person in your assigned group. Along with your paper, you should include copies of any handout, pictures, etc. you distributed. (Once again, your group “portfolio” that you’ll turn in to me should consist of your group paper and any handouts, etc…)

(REMEMBER, THIS IS A GROUP PROJECT. DON’T LET ONE OR TWO PEOPLE DO ALL THE WORK!!!!! YOU’LL EACH NEED TO CONTRIBUTE.)

4. You are not required to conference with me before your presentation; however, I strongly advise it. If you come see me, you should come to the meeting with some ideas on what you think you want to do with the author on which you are presenting. I’ll gladly help and offer any suggestions needed; however, I’m not doing the “brainstorming” for your group.

5. Unfortunately, your presentation can’t be delayed or postponed for any reason whatsoever. Your group MUST present on the date assigned. If you fail to show up for your presentation, or if your group is unprepared, you will lose the points for this assignment (10% of your total grade).