Caption here.

The Presidential Race

Computers: the week of October 8th

In order to be prepared for our convention this February, we need to become familiar with the candidates that would like to run for president. There are a number of Democrats and Republicans who have thrown their hat in the ring. Who are they? What type of experience do they have? What will they do for our country? And where do they stand on those issues that concern us today?

What are we doing?

You will begin to gather information about the candidates. In a sense, we are creating identity charts for the candidates. Over the next few weeks, as we continue to investigate the various candidates, we will also be reading about them for current events assignments.

Who are the candidates?

                                               

Biden                                                             Brownback                      Paul

Clinton                                                          Romney                            Tancredo

Edwards                                                       Hagel

Obama                                                           McCain

Dodd                                                             Guiliani

Richardson                                                   Huckabee

Kucinich                                                       Thompson

Gravel                                                            Hunter

                                                                     

What information do I need to find?

Full Name

Recent Photograph

Address of candidate’s website

Hometown

Age/Birth Date

Religious Affiliation

Education

Occupation

Political Experience

Family

Funds raised to date

Other significant information; books published, interesting or little known fact, record in Congress, etc

Position on immigration

Okay, I have the information, now what do I do?

Once you have gathered this information you are to create an information sheet for the candidate.

Photo, name of candidate, website address and hometown centered at the top of the page. The information is set up similar to a resume, with each category being a new heading on the paper. (Sample resume in Writers Inc page 321.)

The end of your resume must include a list of citations you used to complete this effort. Check Writers Inc for proper MLA citation methods.

When you have completed your candidate’s resume, proofread your effort; be sure to double check the list of information to be included in the effort. Proofread again or ask a friend to read it. Print your final copy-is it ready to be a final copy?

Now I have finished my candidates’ resumes, what’s next?

Once you have completed the resume for your assigned candidates, you are to search the Internet for a recent article about your candidate’s stand on an issue. This article must be from recent news and your source must be cited. You should consider The Washington Post, Time or Newsweek, The New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer or some other newspaper, perhaps from the candidate’s hometown.

I found a fascinating article that I want to read, now what do I do?

Once you have found the article you would like to read and it has been approved, you must complete the following.

  1. Print the article.
  2. Actively read the article.
  3. At the top of your page write your name and create a citation for the article.
    1. See Writers Inc for proper MLA citation.
  4. The first paragraph is 5-7 sentences summarizing the article.
    1. Write a summary of the major ideas, using your own words.
    2. Your opening sentence must be a clear statement of the main idea of the article.
    3. Stick to the essential information.
    4. Try to state each important idea in one clear sentence.
    5. Use a concluding sentence that will tie all of your thoughts together.
      • See Writers’ Inc page 403.
  1. The second paragraph is your opinion of the information you read. This paragraph should also be 5-7 sentences.
  2. Proofread your effort.
  3. Read your effort aloud.
  4. Consider your word choices, sentence structure and variety.
  5. Proofread again. Attach your article to your final draft.

 

I better get to work! When is this due?

Due dates: See October 8th homework sheet

Useful Websites

www.vote-smart.org

www.washingtonpost.com/2008presidentialcandidates

www.govtrack..us/congress/presidential

www.selectsamrt.ocom/president/2008/comparethem.html

www.electoral-vote.com/evp2007/Pres/pres_races.html