The Grandparent Project

The Grandparent Project

Name:

Objectives:

1. To learn about an older person.
2. To practice interviewing.
3. To improve research skills.
4. To further develop essay writing based on research and interview.
5. To see writing as a gift you can give others.

Assignment:

1. Choose a person aged 60 or over to interview – preferably a grandparent.
2. The topic of the interview is up to you, but I strongly suggest interviewing the person about their experiences at Christmas as a young person. You can then give them a copy of your work as a gift at Christmas, and the whole thing fits together nicely.
3. Arrange to interview him or her beforehand. Target Thanksgiving weekend as the interview date – either face to face or by phone.
4. Write at least 20 questions to ask him or her. Avoid close-ended questions – ones that will end with a yes or no response. Ask questions that encourage the interviewee to tell a story.
5. Take notes during the interview. Leave room under each question for note-taking.
6. Use the notes to help you draft your story.
7. Follow the seven step process we covered earlier this year.
8. Research a few things that come up in the interview and add at least three facts from your to help develop the essay.
9. Write a bibliography (remember www.easybib.com).
10. You will hand in one copy to me, and need to bring at least one other copy to class gift-wrapped to show the class.
11. Give your gift-wrapped copy to your interview subject as a gift.

Interview Questions:

1. As stated, I recommend focusing on Christmas, but there are limitless possibilities. Ask about childhood, family, school, marriage, career, children, faith, opinions about current issues, hobbies, past fads, differences between the past and present, and biographical data.

Conducting the Interview:

1. Keep the fact this will be a gift for them a secret, but explain that this is something they will do to help you with school.
2. Be courteous and grateful. Arrange for the interview ahead of time.
3. Ask open-ended questions so the subject does a lot of talking.
4. Be prepared to ask follow-up questions that are not on your list.
5. Thank the person you interview.
6. If you cannot do it in person, you may do it via email or by phone.

Writing the Essay:

1. Remember, good essays are 8-19 paragraphs. Put in the effort this kind of thing deserves.
2. Essay must be typed, double spaced, and so on – follow standard format.
3. Craft a compelling title at the top that is the same size as the rest of your work.
4. You may want to add a dedication page.
5. Your bibliography is the last page.
6. You may do things to spruce up your work if you want – pictures, decorative work, etc.

Assessment:

1. The interview is worth 20 points – 1 for each question with answer notes. All questions should be open-ended.
2. Final copies – 30 points for bringing in the gift for everyone to see and 100 points for the essay you hand in.
3. 150 points in all.

Timeline:

1. Interview due Tuesday, 11/27/12.
2. Essay for submission to Mr. Baird and gift essay due Thursday, 12/20/12.