Process

=PROCESS =

====It is integral to this process that you respect every member of your class and community's views on these controversial issues. Be sure to keep an open mind when communicating with others and reading other's opinions online.====

STEP ONE:

====Explore the political issues that you are interested in using the Opposing Viewpoints in Context database. Try searching for issues that you may have read about in the news, heard your friends and family members discussing or simply want to know more about.====

====You can search in the search bar for any issue you are interested in. The results will usually include viewpoints (persuasive), scholarly articles, primary sources, images, video, news stories, reference resources and websites relating to your issue. Start with the reference sources to get an introduction to the topic. Read up on a few issues before choosing one to focus on for your project. Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that you can argue for.====

Resources: [|Opposing Viewpoints]


STEP TWO:

====After you have chosen your topic, investigate it thoroughly using Opposing Viewpoints and news websites. You will be expected to know the reasoning behind opinions on both sides of the issue. Take notes and make sure to keep track of your sources!====

====When reading about your issue, try to keep in mind the idea of bias. Different people may feel differently about an issue and their writing will reflect their beliefs. Facts, numbers and statistics can be manipulated to support different takes on the same issue. Be sure to read from a variety of sources to get a better overall picture of the issue.====

====You can keep track of the sources you want to use on Opposing Viewpoints by clicking "save" located on the right hand side of each resource. This will keep a list of the resources you save that you can access by clicking "saved items" at the top of the page. Warning: The saved items list only exists until you close Opposing Viewpoints. Keep a backup list on a Word document.====

Ideas for news resources: [|New York Times], [|Time Magazine], [|CNN], [|Google News]


STEP THREE:

====Read what local politicians have to say about your issue. Do your representatives share your ideas on it? Do you notice a split down party lines on your issue? Remember that you will have to choose a politician to write to that has opinions opposite your own.====

====Use the Washington State Legislature website to find out who your local representatives are. Click on "find your legislator" and enter your address to find your state legislative and congressional district. Under district type click "legislative" to find your Washington State Senators and Representatives and "congressional" to find your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Click on their names to get to their websites and explore what they have to say on your issue. You may also want to explore President Barack Obama's website.====

Resources: [|Washington State Legislature], [|Barack Obama]


STEP FOUR:

====Using Quibblo, create a poll for your fellow students about your issue. Keep it simple and short with only 1-2 questions. You will need to set up your account with your email address and share your poll with your classmates. Make sure you respond to everybody else's quiz.====

Resources: [|Quibblo]




STEP FIVE:

====Write a short paper outlining both the pros and cons of your chosen political issue. Use everything that you have learned to build a case for both sides of the issue before letting your readers know your opinion. Be sure to provide evidence for both sides, present your sources accurately and correctly cite your sources. See the Evaluation page for how you will be graded.====

FINAL PROJECT:

====Choose a politician and write them a letter outlining your personal beliefs and your justification for them while acknowledging the opposition's beliefs and justification. Be sure to tie this in with policy changes that you would like to see or that have already taken place.====

====Use evidence that you have collected during your research to effectively support your argument and organize your letter so that the politician reading it will be able to easily understand your position. Remember that this letter will actually be mailed to a politician! You want to sound smart, organized and informed on your topic.====

====Resources: [|How to Write Letters to Congress], [|How to Write a Letter to a Politician]====

REFLECTION: