Multi-Textual Coming of Age Project

What the heck, Hove? Multi-textual whatchamacallit? What are you talking about?

Project Purpose: Over the course of our study of Coming of Age, I’m going to ask you to pay careful attention to the material we work with…how does each demonstrate a different (yet always similar) message about Coming of Age. Your goal is the recognize the patterns to how most people grow and change.

In this project, YOU are going to explain how YOU define Coming of Age. Consider this an informational project…inform us how you personally explain what it means to “come of age.” You’ll select 2 to 5 pieces as specific examples that explain your definition of Coming of Age.

Project Components: It’s pretty simple; you need to complete two components. A written informational document (see specific steps below) that presents your definition and supporting examples PLUS (drumroll, you’re going to be excited!) your first speech of the year in which you give us an overview of the information you’ve compiled.

Informational Document

This will be a word-processed document that will be saved to your English 9 folder as “Multi-Textual Coming of Age” Project. Please make sure your name, date, and hour are in the left corner of the document. This will eventually be printed and handed in before you deliver your speech.

Step One: Create a paragraph in which you define what it means to “come of age.” I’m not looking for a generic “textbook” definition…instead, now that we’ve spent a few weeks wrestling with coming of age stories, how would you explain coming of age to someone who has never heard of it? This should be a full, high school level paragraph (topic sentence followed by 7 to 10 explanatory sentences).

Step Two: In this second portion of the document, you’re going to create an annotated bibliography which lists, and then briefly explains, examples of coming of age. I CHALLENGE YOU TO MOVE BEYOND EXAMPLES I’VE BROUGHT TO CLASS…GO OUT AND FIND YOUR OWN EXAMPLES. So maybe you’ve recently seen a movie that shows coming of age or your favorite artist put out a new song that fits this project perfectly. Perhaps there is a piece of artwork that speaks to you or a powerful poem that captures the essence of coming of age. It really doesn’t matter what the pieces are—PLEASE FIND EXAMPLES THAT ARE MEANINGFUL TO YOU! Annotated Bibliography Ideas – think about who you are and what you do. I’m a mom and a teacher, but long before I was either of those, I was a sports freak. I’d play anything—especially if somebody said a girl “couldn’t” do something. I lot of my heroes were female athletes. So for this project, maybe I find a Sports Illustrated article about Serena Williams or Simone Biles, maybe I print off the lyrics for my favorite “pump me up” pre-game song, and then I use Hoosiers as an example of one of the best coming of age sports films of all times. The point is that it really doesn’t matter what you choose – as long as it shows coming of age for you, it’ll work!)

You must find two to five pieces to explain your coming of age definition in this Annotated Bibliography. If you’re really stuck, you can use some of the stories/songs I’ve brought to the class, but I’d much prefer you find a few of your own.

How to Format Your Annotated Bibliography – an annotated bibliography as three key steps:

1) Clearly identify the author and title of the piece

2) Briefly summarize the “jist” of the piece

3) Explain how it shows coming of age

Example Annotated Bibliography ONTO THE FINAL, MOST EXCITING PORTION OF THIS PROJECT – A SPEECH!

Coming of Age Speech Guidelines

This is likely one of the first speeches of your high school career (but certainly not your last!) so I get it, you’re nervous. For this first speech, please don’t stress. I’m not looking for perfection! I am simply asking you to stand up and explain to us how you define coming of age and examples you used to support your definition.

Speech Time: 2 Minutes (That’s it! Only 120 seconds!!) – range is 30 seconds on either side

Speech Format (you’ll notice it’s similar to an essay)

1) Introduce your Speech through a:

 Hook (grab your audience’s attention (school appropriately, of course)

 Thesis/Purpose Statement – explain your definition of Coming of Age

2) The Body or Main Portion of your speech should very briefly explain some of the pieces you used to support your definition of coming of age. This is the longest part of your speech, however, you still only have 2 minutes for the total speech. If you used five pieces in your writing, you may not be able to use all of these examples in your speech.

3) Conclude your Speech with a simple recap/closing statement (it’s important to let your audience know that you’re done speaking).

And finally, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

The more you rehearse, the better your speech will sound.

Speaking Skills to Demonstrate: We’ll keep it pretty simple for this first speech of the year.

 Eye Contact – scan the entire room (avoid head bobbing).

 Poise – stand confidently and comfortably at the podium.  Vocal Inflection – use your voice as a tool to engage your audience…project your voice.