AREA 51

Introduction – Task – Process – Evaluation - Conclusion

Introduction

You have heard about it, whispered in the backrooms or under someone’s breath. But you never took any notices. You are a research scientist with degrees in advance mathematics, quantum physic, and some others that you get bored talking about. You spend your typical day in the lab working on various project that nobody knows anything about or could understand. One day men in black suits show up at your lab with a request to review some material for its authenticity.

Task

You are to go with the men to examine some materials. They are being kept at Area 51. You are to examine the material and the accompanying literature. Look at some videos and read the articles. You are to decide if the existence of aliens is real or a hoax. You will write your persuasive report to support the position you take. This will be done using the six writing traits that we have been discussing in class. (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, and Conventions).

Process

· Review the material at these web sites. Use the various sources provide or others that you discover to help support the position that you take. Include one of the articles that helps support your position. Also include four photos or video links to support your position.

Resources

http://www.subversiveelement.com/MultiMedia.html

http://www.subversiveelement.com/Alien1.html

http://members.tripod.com/~AlienConspiracy/sightings.htm

http://www.area51newmexico.com/ufos.html

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/pages/area51.html

Evaluation

Six Traits

Criteria	1	2	3	4	Your Score
References	No references or incorrect references	Few references or some incorrect references	Use of references indicate some research	Use of references indicate substantial research
Sentence Fluency	Unclear, incorrect, and/or ineffective sentence structure	Simplistic and/or awkward sentence structure	Organized and complex sentence structure that has some stylistic variation	Sentence structure is varied in composition and length
Word Choice	Multiple grammatical and stylistic errors	Some errors in grammar and/or format that do not interfere with clarity	Few grammatical and/or stylistic errors	Nearly error-free which reflects clear understanding and thorough proofreading
Voice	Apparent confusion with the use of language	Simplistic and/or unclear language	Effective language	Rich and precise language
Conventions	There is no clear purpose of the paper; seemingly little attempt to create a thesis statement	Attempt to create a thesis statement and communicate the purpose throughout	Evidence of thesis can be found and author generally maintains purpose through suitable voice and/or tone	Establishes thesis and maintains clear purpose via suitable voice and tone
Meaningful Development of Ideas	Ideas are unclear and/or not well-developed	Unelaborated ideas that are not fully explained or supported; repetitive details	Depth of thought supported by elaborated, relevant supportive evidence provides clear vision of the idea; contains details	Depth and complexity of thought supported by rich, pertinent details; supporting evidence leads to high-level idea development
Organization of Paper	Weak organization of ideas	Somewhat unfocused and/or unclear	Logical organization of ideas	Careful and relevant organization of ideas

Conclusion

· You have spent some time researching the existence or non-existence of aliens. I hope that you have had some fun with the subject matter. Obviously there are no wrong answers here. Which ever side of the discussion you have chosen be sure to clearly state your reasons. Site evidences when possible. No line of thinking is to thin if you can be convincing in your position.

· Papers will be reviewed based on the above rubric.