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Writing Assignments

CAREER PROJECT: For your second quarter Career Project, you will write a Career Paper and do a Career Presentation with a Visual. The paper counts four times, the Presentation counts two times and the visual counts two times. Only one student from each class may research any given career.

We will be using Parenthetical Citations. Use the author's last name and the page number where the paraphrased or quoted material can be found. Place this information in parenthesis in the body of the paper directly after cited material and before end punctuation.

** Go to this cite for help with Parenthetical Citations:
http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/practical_guide.shtml

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CAREER PAPER ASSIGNMENT

1. Choose one career in which you are personally interested.

2. Research this area thoroughly using library materials, guidance resources, interviews, site visit observations, etc.

3. Prepare a paper (word processed) of 5-10 pages in the following manner:

A. Title page to include the title of the report, your name, block, and the due date.

B. Your paper should include the following: (Begin a new page for each Roman Numeral.)

I.                   Description of the job or career
II.                 Education needed
III.               Requirements for the job (hours, travel, need to be flexible, need to relocate frequently, physical requirements, intellectual requirements)
IV.              Working conditions (work setting)
V.                 Salary and fringe benefits
VI.              How technology has, is and, will effect this job
VII.            Job opportunities (employment outlook)
VIII.         Conclusions (this is your appraisal (evaluation) of the job you have researched based upon the information you have gathered. In other words, how does all of this relate to you personally? Would you continue to pursue this career? Why? Why not?

C. Works Cited- You need to have at least 3 different sources! (This means you will need at least 3 parenthetical citations, one for each work cited.)

Due Dates:

At the beginning of class!

Blocks 5, 6, and 8- Wednesday, December 11, 2002.

Blocks 1 and 2 – Thursday December 12, 2002.
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Career Paper - Questions and Answers

1. How many sources do I need?

You need a minimum of three non-Internet sources and two Internet sources.

2. How many citations do I need?

You need to have at least one citation for each source, hence the term, "Works Cited." In other words, if you list a source in your Works Cited, then you need to cite from that source at least once in your paper. (That means a total of at least five citations.)

3. How many citations are enough for a 5-10 page paper?

You need to have a citation for every piece of borrowed information that is not considered "general knowledge."

4. How do I know what is considered general knowledge?

The general rule is, "When in doubt, it is safest to cite." If you find yourself with more than twenty citations, then be sure to see me.

5. Do I need to pass in all my sources?

Yes, you do need to pass in all your sources. This includes all newspaper and magazine articles, photocopies from books, and Internet printouts.

6. Should I use both short and long quotes?

Yes. Indent direct quotes of more than four lines one tab space and do not use quotation marks. This is called "setting off" the quotes, and it takes the place of quotation marks. On the other hand, incorporate direct quotes of four lines or fewer directly into your paper. For these quotes you do not indent, hence you do need to use quotation marks. You should also have at least one citation for paraphrased material. This is information that you have "borrowed" from a source and put into your own words.

7. In general, when do I need to use quotation marks?

You need to use quotation marks whenever you use the actual words of the author, even as few as two or three words if they are key words. When in doubt, ask me. Do not take the chance of violating the school policy on academic integrity. I cannot impress on you enough the seriousness of this offense. In college, you could be asked to leave school, and you could lose the credits and the money you have paid. Believe me, it has happened. If you violate this policy while you are here at KHS, then you will receive a grade of zero on the assignment, and I will need to notify the principal of the infraction.

8. Do I need to use citations even if I don't use the exact words of an author?

Yes. You need to use a citation because you need to give credit to the author. This is true even if you simply paraphrase their words or whenever you even borrow an idea.

9. When I'm not citing a direct quote, where do I put the parenthetical citation?

The general rule is that you should put the citation directly after the borrowed information. This might mean that you need to put the citation in the middle of a sentence. Generally, however, it is fine to put the citation at the end of the sentence. It is not sufficient to simply put a citation at the end of a paragraph. (Sometimes, in very rare instances, it might be sufficient to put the citation at the end of a paragraph if it is very obvious that all of the related information comes from the same source. Do not do this without my permission.)

10. Do I need to "introduce" all my quotes?

It is not necessary to introduce all citations in the Career Paper. It will be necessary to introduce all citations in your formal Research Paper third quarter. At that time you will need to use introductory words such as, "According to Maguire, it is vital to learn good research skills." … Or … "Maguire concurs with the notion of being responsible for your actions." … Or … "The need to have appropriate consequences for your actions is something that Maguire stresses in her book How to be a Responsible Student."

11. Do I need to use subheadings?

Yes. Subheadings follow the major sections of your outline (I, II, III, IV, etc.) and should be placed at the left hand margin. Begin each subheading on a new page. This is different from your Research Paper. For that paper you will need to use transitional phrases to tie your paper together. The entire paper, including the Works Cited, needs to be double-spaced. Also, remember to use a size 12 font throughout your entire paper. This includes the title and sub headings. Use a font that is easy to read such as Times New Roman. Do not bold any words.

Parenthetical Citations:

The basic difference between footnotes/endnotes and parenthetical citations is that instead of putting the citation at the "foot" of the page or at the "end" of the paper, you put the citations in parenthesis within the paper. This is much easier to do, and is actually preferred by most professors. Within the parenthesis you usually simply put the author's last name, a space, and the page number. Example: (Maguire 34).

The only tricky thing is remembering where to put the period(s). Refer to the web site for some examples, or use the ones below:

When author is not introduced/identified: "Research skills are a vital component of secondary education" (Maguire 37).

When author is introduced/identified: According to Maguire, "Research skills are a vital component of a secondary education" (37).

Note that in both instances, the very last mark is a period.

Additional reminder: In your Works Cited, every citation ends with a period. If you keep these facts in mind, then you should do a great job! Good luck!

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CAREER PRESENTATION AND AUDIO VISUAL

- Length of speech – 3 to 5 minutes timed.
- Maximum length of A/V – 5 additional minutes if needed.
-    Content: Items 1-8 of Career Paper
-   You do not need to have note cards, but you may if it will help you. You may also have a list of the 8 items you need to cover. (See "B" above.)
-    Do not read from your paper. You may not bring your paper up to the podium with you!!!
-    Grading of Presentation will be done on the “Speaking Evaluation Form.” (See below.)
- Presentation counts twice.
-    Grading of Audio/Visual will be done on an individual basis and will include both the quality and use of the visual.
- Audio/ Visual counts twice.
***Check with Mrs. Maguire if you have any questions!

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Career Paper – Frequent Errors

-     Works Cited must be in alphabetical order.
-         Do not number Works Cited.
-         Only include in Works Cited works that have been cited in paper.
-         No pictures or drawings (unless necessary to paper and then put them in Appendix.)
        College professors are not impressed by fancy graphics unless they serve to illustrate a point. In other words, I will   not be impressed by fancy graphics in the paper. Save them for your visual.
-         Works Cited comes last!
-         Number the body of your paper only.
-         All citations end with a period!
-         Don’t rely too heavily on one source at a time. Vary your sources throughout the paper.              (Otherwise, your paper reads like book reports strung together!)
-         Encyclopedias are not allowed. (Specialized encyclopedias are allowed.)
-         Use a formal tone! (You may use personal pronouns such as, "I," "me" and "my" only in the Conclusion.)

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                               Sample Works Cited

Axline, Virginia M. Play Therapy. New York: Ballantine Books, 1969. 9-10. (book)

Choices CT 2003. Ogdenburg, NY: Choices Human Resources Development, 2002.

Online. Kennebunk High School, Kennebunk, ME. 14 Nov. 2002. (Choices

Program in Writing Lab)

D’Entremont, Denise. Personal Interview. 19 December 1994. (personal interview)

Fuerleinger, Jonathan. “Budgetary Rhythms.” New York Times. 20 March 1987, late

Ed.: A8. (newspaper)

Hopke, William, ed. The Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. Chicago:

J.B. Ferguson Publishing Company, 1990. Vol. 2. 541-547. (specialized

encyclopedia)

Jacobsen, Joyce M., ed. Career Information Center. Princeton: Butternick Publishing.

1993.

Maguire, Marie. < jmmaguire@ispchannel.net > “Citing an e-mail.” 23 May 2000.

Personal e-mail. (email)

Meyer, Jone., ed. Vocational Biographies. Sauk Centre: Vocational Biographies, Inc.,

1989. Vol. 2. Ser. S.

Occupational Outlook Handbook. Lincolnwood: VGM Career Horizons, 1993.

110-112.

Parker, Roland S. Psychology and Counseling Careers. New York: Franklin Watts,

1997.

VGM’s Career Encyclopedia. Lincolnwood: VGM Career Horizons, 1992. 378-380.

Walsh, John. “US-Japan Study Aim is Education Reform.” Science Digest 16 June

1987: 274. (magazine)

(Note: If the spacings and indentations are "messed up" when you print this document, then cut and paste it into a Word document before you print it.

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Career Paper Assessment List

ELEMENTS	POINT VALUE	STUDENT	TEACHER
Paper is 5-10 pages typed. (Not including title page and Works Cited)	10
Introduction (Optional) Why did you choose this career? (You may use personal pronouns in Introduction.)	_______
I. Description of Career	5
II. Education Needed	5
III. Requirements for the job	5
IV. Working Conditions	5
V. Salary and Fringe Benefits	5
VI. Technology	5
VII. Job Opportunities	5
VIII. Conclusions Is this career for you? (You may use personal pronouns in Conclusion.)	10
Parenthetical Citations Use MLA format and have at least 3 non-Internet sources. Click on the link below for help.	15
Works Cited Use MLA format and have at least 3 non-Internet sources. Click on the link below for help.	15
Mechanics Have an adult reader proof read you paper for fragments and run on sentences. Keep verb tenses the same throughout the paper. Double-check your punctuation, especially comma usage. Use a spell checker!	15
Total # of points	100

Link to MLA help: http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

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Speaking Evaluation Form

Speaker Date of Presentation Block

Presentation (Oral Interpretation or Original Material) Poor (6 pts) Satisfactory (7 –8 pts) Good (9 pts)

Volume. Was the speaker’s voice loud enough?

Too loud or too soft

_________

Usually loud enough

_____ _____

Easily heard, with voice loud or as soft as required

___________

Diction. Were the speaker’s words easy to understand?

Mumbling or monotonous

__________

Usually understandabe

______ _____

Clear, easily understood

____________

Pacing. Was the speaker’s speed appropriate?

Too fast or too slow

__________

Speed usually good

_____ _____

Good speed, going fast or slow to fit material

____________

Eye Contact. Did the speaker use eye contact effectively?

Little or no eye contact

________

Some eye contact

_____ _____

Frequent eye contact

____________

Gestures. Did the speaker use appropriate body movements that contributed to communicating the meaning?

Few or no gestures used

__________

Occasional gestures used

_____ ____

Gestures used frequently and appropriately

_________

Expression. Did the speaker’s voice express feeling?

Little or no expression

_________

Some expression

_____ ____

Consistently expressed appropriate feeling

__________

Understanding of Material. Did the speaker indicate an understanding of the material?

Uncertain or confused delivery

________

Usually in control

_____ _____

Strong, purposeful presentation

____________

Effect on Audience. Did the speaker make it easy for you to understand and to be interested in what was said?

No enthusiasm, dull

__________

Showed enthusiasm for subject

_____ ______

Created enthusiasm or other appropriate felling in audience

____________

Content and Organization (Original Material only) Poor Satisfactory Good

Introduction. Did the speaker let you know immediately what the speech would be about?

Introduction dull, confusing

__________

Made topic clear

_____ _____

Made topic clear and created interest in it quickly

____________

Body of Speech. Did the speaker lead you steadily from one idea to the next, with examples where needed?

Disorganized, confused

_________

Ideas seemed to be connected

_____ _____

Well organized, maintained high interest

____________

Summary or Conclusion. Did the speaker end the speech logically?

Trailed off at the end

___________

Let you know the speech was over

_____ _____

Tied up all loose ends but left you wanting to hear more

___________

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Powerpoint Presentation of Career Paper - used by permission of Ashley Senecal, Kennebunk High School, class of 2004
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