ELA2104-ABED: 1.3 Rant | MoodleHUB 🎓

Assignment Instructions

Read through the tabs of the assignment below to see the instructions and suggested approaches for this activity.

1. Choose one issue from the Rant Topics & Media tab and view the media here for ideas about what ranting means.

2. Download the worksheet (rename the file immediately to save your work for later submission). Download these helper notes to help you with the worksheet. These will walk you through the worksheet and help you review essay writing.

3. Identify your Rant Topic and jot some notes about why the topic is a concern to you.

4. Complete the Investigation Chart to organize your thoughts:

What do you already know about the issue?

What related experiences have you had with the issue?

What will you research further to understand all aspects of the issue?

5. Find two sources of information about your topic (e.g. videos, news articles, blogs, etc.) Try to find one piece of media examining a
perspective on the topic that differs from your own. Complete the My Resources Charts to record the sources of information you find.

6. Plan your rant and organize your ideas by doing some pre-writing: Complete a mind-map, create an outline, or write out your notes.
View the Graphic Organizers tutorial for information about mind maps and view the student samples in the 1.3 Rant Examples tab.

7. Write your rant out, or choose one of these options to create your polished rant:

oral presentation delivered by phone, Skype, memory stick, URL, or CD

video

written report or blog

visual representation (collage, comic strip, etc.)

8. Save your polished work as 1_3_rant_worksheet and submit it for assessment. If you do a presentation, submit the presentation as 1_3polishedrant.

Examples of Rants in Media

View the following video to get an idea about the nature of a rant.

Rant Topics
Choose and discuss one of the following topics for your informed and respectful rant.

Mass Media and Marketing: Advertising is everywhere through mass media and it targets YOU! What are your thoughts about this topic?
Technology abuse: What do you think about how people use technology? What do you like about how it is used? What annoys you about how it is abused?
Environmentalism: What do you think of initiatives in Alberta to encourage people to go "green"? Are these activities working? Not working? Annoying? Ironic? Is enough being done?
Music: Does an issue within the music industry bug or thrill you?
Violence and graphic material on TV: Are TV shows becoming too violent and/or too graphic? How does violence on TV affect you or people you know?
Gaming: What conflicts annoy you about this topic? What are your thoughts about conflicts with gaming platform networks and privacy? What do you think about gamer etiquette? What is your opinion of "gamer culture"?
Social Media: How does the invention of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, or Google+ affect today's society? How does it influence your social behaviour, well-being, or lifestyle? What issues arise?
Subcultures: What are subcultures? How do you feel about them? Do you want to clarify assumptions or misconceptions about your subculture?
Social injustice: Is there a local, provincial, national, or global social issue that bothers you? (Homelessness, street youth, mental health stigma in youth or adults, sweatshops in second or third world countries, or promotion of peace between nations)
Racism, or stereotypes: What does your chosen topic look like in Alberta? Canada? What is your view of it? What role does digital citizenship have, regarding these topics?
Work conditions, work environments, and/or cash flow of young adults: What have you experienced with these topics?
Politics: Do you think you will ever vote in a provincial or federal election? Why or why not? Do politicians target issues that are relevant to you? Explain.
Sports: Should fighting be allowed or banned in hockey? What consequences might result from either allowing or disallowing it?
Underage drinking or drug use: Substance abuse among youth in Alberta is a problem. What harm does it cause? How does that affect those involved? How might laws be changed to address this topic?

Complete one of the 1.3 Rant worksheets below. This worksheet contains all the ingredients necessary to complete the assignment instructions for this activity.

Worksheet (PDF)
Worksheet (Word)
Worksheet (Google Doc)

If you have not done so already, download the helper notes to help you work through the worksheet for this assignment.

View the rubric for this assignment below to see how your work will be assessed by your teacher.

1.3 Rant Assessment

View the student exemplars below to gain an idea of some approaches and expectations for this assignment.

1. Hailey's 1.3 Rant

2. Toby's 1.3 Rant

Extend your discussion of the issue you chose by adding one of the following options to your 1.3 Rant assignment. You are still required to submit the original worksheet with this enhancement.

Discuss an original solution to the issue or conflict you presented. Write a few paragraphs to outline your solution and explain why you think it would be effective or realistic.
Enhance your presentation with a creative illustration that demonstrates some aspect of the issue you discussed. Suggestions include a recorded skit or short play, a short story you have written, a YouTube video, a fictionalized newscast, or other creative form—all your own work, of course! A few crib notes for use during the recording of your creative illustration might be very helpful. If you post online, mark your post "private", not public, so only users with the URL can see your presentation. Keep your presentation school-appropriate. If you are unsure about your creative choices, contact your teacher.