ELA2104-ABED: 5.2.1 Hot Topic

Assignment Instructions

To gain understanding of one theme in your chosen graphic novel, investigate one “hot topic” from 'topics' tab.

1. Research: Investigate one topic you are least familiar with in the space provided on the worksheet (see 'worksheet' tab).

Complete research for your topic by using three different reputable sources.
Record your research information on the worksheet and cite information about the sources you use for research.

2. Complete the essay planning organizer (using point-form) for a 5 paragraph essay on your topic, by filling in the planning sheets on the worksheet (see 'worksheet' tab).

3. Write your complete short essay at the end of the worksheet based on the work you do in the essay planning organizer. Review the essay writing help notes to help you with this assignment.

4. Review the 'assessment' tab to see how your work will be assessed.

Submit your polished work for assessment as 5_2 Hot Topic

Choose one of the topics below your chosen Graphic Novel to do this assignment with.

American-Born Chinese By Gene Luen Yang	Essex County Book 2: Ghost Stories By Jeff Lemire	How I Made it to Eighteen by Tracy White
racism and racial stereotypes	dementia or Alzheimer's	eating disorders
discovering identity	alcoholism	substance abuse
social or culture-based alienation	effects of isolation and loneliness	depression or other mental illness
bullying	family feuds or dysfunction	unhealthy personal relationships (friendships or otherwise)
self-acceptance	disabilities (hearing loss, paraplegia, etc.)	negative self-perception or low self-esteem
bi-racial relationships	sibling conflict or betrayal	mental health
importance of positive outlook*	aging	self-harm
healthy relationships*	significance of hope*	healthy role models*

*Starred topics are topics that likely are applicable to all three texts in one way or another. If you see a starred topic you are interested in, you can use it in your essay, even if it is not originally matched to your graphic novel.

If you think of a different topic you would like to investigate, ask your teacher for permission first!

To complete the 5.2 Hot Topic Assignment, download one of the worksheets below.

worksheet (Word)
worksheet (PDF)
worksheet (Google Doc)

View how you will be assessed on your assignment in the 5.2 Hot Topic Rubric.

View how one student has approached this assignment by looking at Tyrone's 5.2 Hot Topic work.

Represent your ideas from the 5.2 Hot Topic Essay Planner using visual media of any kind (a video created with your phone or computer web-cam, collage, PowerPoint, etc.). Include a brief written rationale to explain your visual choices. Submit your visual and rationale to the 5.2 Hot Topic assignment submissions for assessment.