Connect ideas, observations, opinions, and emotions to respond to and create texts.

Create spoken, written, multimedia, and other representations that include:

• a clear thesis
• accurate, appropriate, and convincing details to support the thesis
• a style, voice, and format that is audience and purpose appropriate
• unity, coherence, and emphasis in a logical progression and with logical support for ideas/thesis
• effective and clear organization patterns
• a valid and justifiable conclusion.

Write a research essay (approximately six to ten pages) building on primary and secondary sources that:

• marshals evidence in support of a clear thesis statement and related claims
• paraphrases and summarizes, with accuracy and fidelity, the range of arguments and supports or refutes the thesis
• cites sources correctly and documents quotations, paraphrase, and other information using standard format.

Conduct and present an extended inquiry/research based on a topic of the course that:

• determines inquiry or research focus and parameters based on personal knowledge and others' expertise
• formulates and revises questions to focus inquiry or research the topic and purpose
• explores group knowledge and strengths to determine inquiry or research the topic, purpose, and procedures
• develops, uses, and adapts an inquiry or research plan appropriate for content, audience, purpose, context, sources, and procedures
• selects ideas and information from prior knowledge of the inquiry or research topic appropriate for audience, purpose, and personal perspective or focus
• identifies and discusses the purpose and usefulness of information sources relevant to the particular inquiry or research needs
• evaluates how perspectives and biases influence the choice of information sources for inquiry or research
• accesses information using a variety of tools, skills, and sources to accomplish a particular purpose
• organizes and reorganizes information and ideas in a variety of ways (including digital) for different purposes and audiences
• summarizes and records information, ideas, and perspectives from a variety of sources using a variety of means (e.g., digital); documents sources accurately
• evaluates information for completeness, accuracy, currency, historical context, relevance, and balance of perspectives
• explains self-knowledge acquired through inquiry and explains the insights gained; explains the importance of new understanding to self and others; assesses own inquiry and research skills
• defines and narrows a problem or research topic
• gathers relevant information from a variety of print and digital sources as well as from direct observation, interviews, and surveys
• makes distinctions about the credibility, reliability, consistency, strengths, and limitations of resources, including information gathered from websites
• plans, by taking notes, creating informal outlines, and researching, using a variety of means (e.g., digital)
• connects, shapes, and clarifies ideas and understanding
• selects and connects ideas from prior knowledge, observations, and experiences
• identifies the need for additional information to supplement prior knowledge, observations, and experiences.

Create a website (approximately six to ten pages) to inform and foster social action regarding a local issue that:

• includes a user-friendly navigation scheme with no dead-end pages
• provides clear site identification through design elements
• is in language and style appropriate for web content
• incorporates appropriate original graphics and multimedia
• is engaging and promotes positive user action.