Social Studies 11

Keeping an Issues Log

Index

Keeping an Issues Log

- Directions and Marking Criteria for Issues Log Projects

- What to Look for in the Issues Log Examples

- 12 Examples of Issues Log Entries


Directions and Marking Criteria for Issues Log Projects

The requirement in a nutshell: For each Issues Log project, you will submit at least eight entries and indicate three of them for thorough evaluation.

For each Issues Log Project (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0), follow these directions unless your instructor has given you different directions:

  1. Submit a varied, well-documented, and well-presented set of at least eight Issues Log entries.

    Marks: 32 marks—8 per criterion (1a-1d). This works out to 1 mark per entry for each criterion. For criteria 3 and 4, however, the entries will be marked in the context of the whole set. Your instructor will check that you have:

    1. Clearly stated the date of each entry, the issue it addresses, and at least one connection to the course (a course lesson or textbook chapter).

    2. Carefully documented the sources. You are encouraged to follow the "Examples of Works Cited" section of the Writer's Style Guide where possible. At least include the same kinds of information.

    3. Varied the entries. Draw on several sources, including current sources such as newspapers, broadcasts, and Websites. Make connections to several aspects of the course.

    4. Communicated as a responsible member of the community. This involves presenting the Issues Log in a simple but neat, organized, and legible way, with standard English usage. It is recommended that you follow the Writer's Style Guide advice about "Formatting Your Piece of Writing" and "Following Style Conventions."

      Note: There are no bonus marks if you include more than eight entries, but the additional entries may help you to meet some of the criteria (the "Varied the entries" criterion, for example).

  2. Select three of the eight entries for thorough evaluation by your instructor. (Note: Clearly indicate your choice. Otherwise, your instructor will choose any three entries, such as the first three.)

    Marks: 18 marks—6 marks per selected entry on the basis of the Standard Criteria for Marking Longer Answers, with the emphasis on the clear, insightful, logical kind of thinking taught in this course. After the first project (Project 1.0), your instructor will also want to see that you are acting on the instructor's advice about previous projects.