Humanities 9: Dr. Daily, Mr. Baetz,
(and Ms. Jansen)

RESEARCH AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Roman Emperors

THE SCENE

Rome's Emperor ______ has died. As a Senator and close friend of the emperor, the Senate has chosen you to deliver his funeral oration. After your eloquent delivery, a Roman citizen discusses his opposition to the Emperor and the regime in the privacy of the home where he is free to speak his mind.

THE ASSIGNMENT

Research the life and accomplishments of the Emperor you are assigned. Before you begin your search, stop and write some questions to which you will find answers. Consider what the audience will want to hear about the Emperor. What can you find out about his personal life? What were his accomplishments? What  challenges did he face? How did he die? How did he affect the Empire over which he ruled?

You will want to have a distinctive voice in your oration. Consider our class discussions and your research to offer a unique perspective of your emperor and his reign.

THE RESULTS

1. Compose a funeral oration.
2. The paper will be 800-1000 words (use the Word Count at the bottom of your page for Word 2007, or if you are using Mac Word 2004 see word count in the Tools menu bar).
3. Use at least three sources in addition to the BBC Website (so, 4+ sources)
4. Turn in: your paper using Times New Roman 12 point double-spaced with a word count at the end. Include the Emperor's name as the title and put your name and class period. After the word count, list all of your sources in a formal bibliography using SourceAid Citation Builder. (Ms. Jansen will review this and note taking with you.)
5. Use the note taking form so that you cite each source as you take notes from it. Turn in your notes with your paper. Use a new form everytime you change sources. Your notes and bibliography are worth 10 points on your grade.
6. Be prepared to deliver the funeral oration orally in class. Practice with a family member who is older than you. Ask for feedback. You do not need to memorize your written paper, but may read from it. You do not want your delivery to sound dull and boring as if you are simply reading from a text. Put some dramatic emphasis into your delivery.
7. Due: Be prepared to deliver your oration on Monday 1/14, even though you may not present until Tuesday, 1/15.

THE GRADING

Paper and oral delivery of the funeral oration = 2 quiz grades. The paper and the oral delivery of the oration will each be graded then averaged. The average will count twice.

THE RESOURCES

Reference databases:
Subscription Database page

ABC-CLIO: World History Ancient and Medieval Eras
Encyclopedia Britannica: use the version "for high school students and up"
Ebsco: Student Research Center
Gale: Student Resource Center Gold
netTrekker (for authoritative and accurate sites on the free Web)
Proquest: eLibrary
Proquest: History Study Center
SIRS: Knowledge Source: SIRS Renaissance
SourceAid Citation Builder (to generate a bibliography)

• Don't neglect to look at the related links and various other links that come up for each search.
• Printing: Always use the Print option on the page when you are printing from these databases. You get a cleaner copy that is easier to read and make notations.
• See Ms. Jansen for passwords for home use or pick up a flyer in the library.

Free Website:
BBC's Rome's Pivotal Emperors by Pat Southern

Note: Ms. Jansen will host virtual office hours during this project. Check this Website and your email soon to find out the dates and times.