Research Project: Social Issues and Action

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

As you continue reading the novel this week, pay particular attention to the
social issues Twain exposes—especially through satire—during the 1880s.
This week we will critically examine the world around us through popular
culture, poetry, and short stories.

Your argumentative project must attempt to persuade your audience to

take action using a current social issue that relates to the novel in some
way. Remember to keep in mind F=A+P for this assignment, as you have
the option to choose from the following forms:

 Traditional research paper

 PowerPoint Presentation

 Pamphlet

 PSA (Public Service Announcement)

 Letter to a legislator or newspaper editor

 Documentary

 Anything else (with teacher permission)

In addition to turning in the project, you will also submit a 1-2 page
reflection, in which you explicitly state the connections you made between
the current social issue and a historical issue from the novel. Furthermore,
you will present your research project to the class at the end of this unit for
5 minutes.
Some possible research topics are:  Body Image

 Domestic Violence  The Educational System

 Racism  Alcoholism/Drug Issues

 Sexual Orientation/ Gender  Class Issues

Issues
 Sexism
 Poverty
 The Green Revolution

 Crime

Due Tomorrow: Research Proposal

Prewriting Strategies*:

1. Choose a topic. You should choose a topic that you are passionate
about in order to be convincing. Choose a topic that people are in
the dark about and shed light on it; people may also disagree with
your stance. Choose a current topic so you can easily find evidence
to support you views.

2. What do you think? What do you already know about this topic?

3. Who is your audience? What are their main concerns? What are
their biases? What do they already know about the issue? What
reasons will they find most convincing?

4. Elaborate: Use Logical Appeals. Use logical arguments and

express your reasons for your opinions. Then support with
evidence (facts, stats, examples, anecdotes, quotations).

5. Use emotional appeals. Reach to your audience’s feelings—use

loaded words.
6. Plan what you’ll say. The intro should grab the readers’ attention
and contain your thesis statement. The body states your argument
point by point and gives reasons in order of importance. Also use
counterarguments. You may use a pro/con chart to help with this
process. The conclusion should be a call for action that asks your
audience to do something specific.

*Adapted from Elements of Literature