ESL 111

Unit: Presidential Elections

Act. 4-1

Elections Panel Discussion: Library Research Project

Purposes:

1. To reinforce research and reading skills

2. To reinforce summary and integration skills

3. To allow students to inform themselves on issues of their own interest.

Procedure:

1. Brainstorming (15 minutes) You will divide into two panels and discuss which issues in American presidential elections you would like to know more about. Decide on one general topic. Make sure your topic is not the same as that of the other group!! Then divide yourselves into pairs. Each of the pairs will choose a specific subtopic of the group's general topic.

2. Strategy (15 minutes). To find out more about your topic, you will take a trip to the library during class time. Before you go, however, consider the following:

a) What aspects of your topic (or subtopics) do you want to research? Who is responsible for which subtopic?

b) Where in the library are you most likely to find information on this topic?

c) Can you find information on your topic outside the library? Where?

d) How do you want to divide the task?? Who will be your moderator?

3. Each pair should find a different article on their aspect and make 3 photocopies of it: one for each of them and one for me. As you summarize your article and prepare your presentation of it, keep the following points in mind:

Where does the article come from? Who wrote it? Do you consider it from a reliable source?

What is the author's point of view? Does he or she seem to be liberal or conservative?

What are the author's main points?

How do these main points relate to your general topic?

Write 3 comprehension questions about your article:

1.

2.

3.

You should be prepared to present your material as part of a panel discussion next class period. Be sure to report your information to your moderator.