Part 1: Bibliography due 1/9
Part 2: Outline due 1/14
Part 3: PowerPoint Presentation due 1/19
Assignment 1: The Annotated Bibliography Due: January 9
Project Overview This exercise is designed to have each student conduct research, assess and summarize his or her research findings, and present it in PowerPoint format. This will be just like writing a research paper, except instead of presenting your research as a traditional paper, youll use PowerPoint or similar presentation software to create a narrated presentation. Your presentation will be structured like a paper, including a title, introduction to the topic, main body, summary and conclusions, and references. Creative use of properly cited graphics and photos from the Internet relevant to your topic is required.
First, choose a physical geography topic that interests you. Some will have more information available about them than others, so its worth doing some investigation before you settle on one. If youre not sure if your desired topic is appropriate, please feel free to ask!
You will complete this project in 3 separate assignments: an annotated bibliography, an outline, and your final presentation. In this assignment, you will complete your annotated bibliography.
Assignment Objective: Assess sources for your research for your final presentation (for credibility, reliability, and relevance) and list references in proper APA format through the creation of an annotated bibliography.
Assignment Instructions: An annotation is a summary and evaluation, and your annotated bibliography will include a summary and evaluation of some of the sources (or references) you will use for your presentation.
To prepare for this assignment, I recommend that you do the following:
• Read these directions carefully.
• Review the sample annotated bibliography provided to you below.
• Read the grading criteria below. The grading criteria is a detailed evaluation that I will use to assess your performance. It also will help you understand what is expected you as you prepare your assignment.
• Message me with any questions!
Potential topics include:
• Location; Time Zones
• Map Scale; Map Projections; Isolines
• Solar Angle; Insolation;
• Temperature Patterns Air Pressure; Wind Humidity;
• Adiabatic Processes
• Climate Classification
• Plate Tectonics; Volcanoes; Faulting
• Mass Wasting;
• Drainage Basins; Flood Recurrence Intervals
The reason the annotated bibliography is included as part of the research project is that writing an annotated bibliography provides excellent preparation for the final presentation. One of the issues regarding any type of research is the credibility of the sources used, particularly those obtained from various websites. By forcing you to evaluate your potential sources carefully, the annotated bibliography helps you determine if the sources you chose are credible and relevant to your topic. It will also help you understand the topic better, which will help you develop your presentation.
For this project, you will assess three sources to include:
1) a complete citation for each source,
2) a summary of each source, and
3) an evaluation of each source.
Three sources are required for this assignment (i.e., you are to write an annotation for each source). However, you must use five or more sources in your final presentation.
Use the TEMPLATE below to summarize and evaluate each of your three sources.
1. Citation:
Written in APA reference list format. For more help with formatting, see APA handout.
2. Summary:
What is the purpose of the source, review article, original research? What topics are covered? This section is generally 3-5 sentences that summarize the author’s main point. For more help, see this link on paraphrasing sources.
3. Evaluation:
After summarizing the article (or research paper or book), it is necessary to evaluate it and state where you found it – its source (e.g.,journal, website, etc.). Briefly answer the following questions in 3-5 sentences:
What is the format or type of source (e.g., peer-reviewed journal paper, website, book)? How reliable is the information in the article, and how credible is the source (e.g., website’s sponsoring organization, journal or book publisher) and the author(s)?
For more help, see this handout on evaluating resources.
Evaluation: Please review the Annotated Bibliography Grading Criteria below that describes how your annotated bibliography will be graded.

Annotated Bibliography Template

Name:
Presentation Topic:
Source #1
Citation
(in APA format)
Summary

Evaluation

Source #2
Citation
(in APA format)
Summary

Evaluation

Source #3
Citation
(in APA format)
Summary

Evaluation

Assignment 2: The Outline Due January 14
Project Overview: This exercise is designed to have each student conduct research, assess and summarize his or her research findings, and present it in PowerPoint format. This will be just like writing a research paper, except instead of presenting your research as a traditional paper, youll use PowerPoint or similar presentation software to create a narrated presentation. Your presentation will be structured like a paper, including a title, introduction to the topic, main body, summary and conclusions, and references. Creative use of properly cited graphics and photos from the Internet relevant to your topic is required.
First, choose a physical geography topic that interests you. Some topics will have more information available about them than others, so its worth doing some investigation before you settle on one. If youre not sure if your desired topic is appropriate, please feel free to ask! Investigate your selected topic question and create a presentation to report your findings.
Instructions: Investigate your selected topic question and create a presentation to report your findings.
Potential topics include:
• Location; Time Zones
• Map Scale; Map Projections; Isolines
• Solar Angle; Insolation;
• Temperature Patterns Air Pressure; Wind Humidity;
• Adiabatic Processes
• Climate Classification
• Plate Tectonics; Volcanoes; Faulting
• Mass Wasting;
• Drainage Basins; Flood Recurrence Intervals
These suggestions are deliberately general.
You will complete this project in 3 separate assignments: an annotated bibliography, an outline, and your final presentation. In this assignment, you will complete your outline.
Assignment Objective: Organize your thoughts and the main points of your research for your final presentation in outline format.
Assignment Instructions: To help you complete Assignment 3: The Presentation, you will first submit an outline to organize your thoughts and main points. Your outline should be formatted in a specific way and must contain the following elements as described below.
To prepare for this assignment, I recommend that you do the following:
• Read these directions carefully.
• Read the grading criteria below. The grading criteria is a detailed evaluation that I will use to assess your performance. It also will help you understand what is expected of you as you prepare your assignment.
• Message me with any questions!
Be sure to add your name to your outline.
The outline format: Your outline must be formatted as described. Please note that this format will be assessed in your grade:
• Use an alphanumeric sequence
• Sections should be indented and aligned
• Follow the suggested order of the required elements
• Use brief but detailed and descriptive phrases.
The required elements: Your outline should contain the following elements in this order:
I. The Introduction: This section previews your topic and the details you will cover in the body of your presentation. It should be very brief, but include:
A. The physical geography topic question that you are going to discuss.
B. Why you chose this topic and what is your question?
C. A preview of the background and results of the research on your topic question.

II. The Body (Content Sections): In the body, you must have a minimum of
A. Topic: What is your selected topic question? Why did you select the topic?
B. Background: Provide background and definition about your physical geography topic.
C. Answer: Write up the answer to your selected topic question.

III. The Conclusion Section: this section should contain four to six points that sum up the main points from the body of the outline.
1. Start your conclusion with one sentence summarizing some basic information about your topic question.
2. Continue with a brief summary (1-2 sentences) about the important characteristics of the physical geography you selected.
3. Include a brief summary (1-2 sentences) about the answer to your selected topic question.
4. Wrap up the conclusion section with a closing note that provides brief information about why this topic was of interest to you, and a fact about your topic you found interesting.
IV. Reference section: This is not just the reference page; rather, referencing should occur throughout the outline as it will in your presentation. Therefore, your outline should include both a separate reference page containing a minimum of five sources listed in proper APA reference list format AND internal citations throughout the outline where appropriate. Please be sure to see the resources below for assistance regarding in-text citations and reference list formatting, and/or ask me if you have any additional questions.
Please make note of the following tips and tricks:
• I understand that this is a rough draft and, as your research and writing continue over the next few weeks, details may be added or changed. Although you do not have to resubmit it to me, I recommend that you update this outline to help you best complete the Final Presentation.
• Write your outline so that it has detailed bullets that you can easily then flesh out into sentences for the narration of your Final Presentation.
• After your outline is complete, I recommend that you next draft your introductory and conclusion sections for your presentation. This will ensure that all the main points of the outline are incorporated in these two framing sections of your final presentation.
• Please note that less than 10% of your outline or presentation should be direct quotes.
• All internal citation references should be listed on the reference page, and vice versa.
Assignment 3: Physical Geography Research Project Presentation Due: January 19
Who, What, When, and How Applied Physical Geography Research Project
Project Overview: This exercise is designed to have each student conduct research, assess and summarize his or her research findings, and present it in PowerPoint format. This will be just like writing a research paper, except instead of presenting your research as a traditional paper, youll use PowerPoint or similar presentation software to create a narrated presentation. Your presentation will be structured like a paper, including a title, introduction to the topic, main body, summary and conclusions, and references. Creative use of properly cited graphics and photos from the Internet relevant to your topic is required.
The goals of this project include encouraging the development of research skills, familiarization with the presentation of academic material, and practice in communicating research to an “audience”. It is a three-part project, first the annotated bibliography, followed by the outline, then the final project presentation. If you do not have access to PowerPoint, you may download free compatible software at OpenOffice.org or use Google Docs (Slides) or you can use Prezi, or create an ArcGIS Online Storymap.
First, choose a physical geography topic that interests you. Some topics will have more information available about them than others, so its worth doing some investigation before you settle on one. If youre not sure if your desired topic is appropriate, please feel free to ask! Investigate your selected topic question and create a presentation to report your findings.
Instructions: Investigate your selected topic question and create a presentation to report your findings.
Potential topics include:
• Location; Time Zones
• Map Scale; Map Projections; Isolines
• Solar Angle; Insolation;
• Temperature Patterns Air Pressure; Wind Humidity
• Adiabatic Processes
• Climate Classification
• Plate Tectonics; Volcanoes; Faulting
• Mass Wasting;
• Drainage Basins; Flood Recurrence Intervals
These suggestions are deliberately general.
You will complete this project in 3 separate assignments: an annotated bibliography, an outline, and your final presentation. In this assignment, you will complete your Final Research Project Presentation.
This research assignment is designed to challenge the student to be creative as well as demonstrate subject matter knowledge. You are also challenged to learn a new skill/practice an existing skill in applying PowerPoint (or equivalent) software to your research.
You will not find the -answer- for this assignment in the text or any other single location - this is an integrative assignment that requires you, the student, to create your presentation template and apply your own knowledge of the assigned topic.
You MUST stick to the topic - projects turned in that are not on the topic will not be considered for grading.
Format:
Please create a 12-15 slide (to approximate a 15-minute spoken presentation) PowerPoint presentation
The presentation should cover the minimum of the following three sections:
• What is your selected topic question?
• Background section explaining the question.
• Answer to the selected topic question.
Be sure to present clear citations and mature work. Make the most of each slide to show effective communication.
This exercise will require some research on your part and you are to use legitimate sources. Be careful of Wikipedia or other -wiki- sites. Try for official and credible sites and sources. If you do not have access PPT, please use Google Docs or OpenOffice.org or contact me immediately.
The exercise has three components: 1) show you are very familiar with the topic; 2) become familiar with PowerPoint software as everyone uses it in business these days, and ;3) express your knowledge in a presentation format - efficient and understandable, captivating for your audience.
Let me know if you have any questions, and have fun with this!
Rubric (grading criteria) descriptions:
Synthesis of concepts: 40
The presentation showed a clear understanding of the chosen topic. Ideas are clearly and properly organized.
Use of technology: 15
The student demonstrated the ability to use PowerPoint software to create a slide presentation. Creative ideas are incorporated into the presentation.
Clear citations: 15
References to the course text or to other materials were properly cited.
Writing standards: 30
The writing was grammatically correct, clear and concise. The presentation was well-formulated and easy to read and understand. Correct terminology was used when needed.