Ms. Exterkamp

Intensive Reading Research Project

May 5, 2008

Due May 30, 2008

Part I - Writing

In class, your group will pick a type of drug that affects the Nervous System.  There are three categories:

Stimulants                                          Depressants                                                        Hallucinogens

You must pick a drug from the category you pick in class.  Below are only examples.  You can pick any drug as long as it falls into one of these categories and your teacher approves it before you begin your research.

Amphetamine                                          Cocaine                            Alcohol                            Mushrooms             

Methamphetamine                            GHB                                          LSD                                          Marijuana

Dopamine                                          Barbiturates                            Opiates

Prescription Drugs                            Heroin                                          Ecstasy (MDMA)

Each person in the group must choose a set of questions to research:

  1. What is the history of the drug?
  2. How is the drug created?
  3. What are the effects of the drug?
  4. Is this drug only popular in the United States?
  5. What are the long-term effects of using this drug?
  6. Can the drug be combined with any other drugs?
  7. If so, what are the effects?
  8. What are “Gateway drugs”
  9. Is the drug a “Gateway drug”?  Why or why not?
  10. What activities is the drug closely related to?  Ex. Raves, etc.
  11. What are the dangers of mixing the drug with those activities?
  12. Is the drug physically addicting, mentally addicting, or both?
  13. What are the signs that someone may be addicted to the drug?
  14. How many uses of the drug does someone have to take before they become addicted?
  15. What occurs if a user does not take regular doses of the drug?
  16. How often does the drug have to be taken before the user starts to go through withdrawal?
  17. How long after taking the last dose do withdrawal symptoms begin?
  18. What are the withdrawal symptoms?  Are they dangerous?
  19. Can someone just stop after they have become addicted or do they need help?
  20. Where can they get help?

While Researching

Electronic Resources: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/09/

Book: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/07/

After Researching

Each research paper should be set up in the following order:

Title Page:

Create a title to name your project – Be creative (If you are doing a project on heroin, do not simply name it HEROIN).

Create or cut out an illustration to go on the cover page, which relates to your project and draws in your reader’s attention.

Research Paper:

Includes all information listed above, including questions as subject headings.

Works Cited Page:

You must cite all work that is used in your paper that you get from another source!  If any work is believed to be plagiarized (without citation), YOU WILL FAIL THIS PROJECT.  Proper citations must be used.

Part II - Illustrations

  1. Diagram: Provide a chain of events diagram showing a person who lives a normal life and what happens starting the second after they try the drug.  If this person gets addicted to the drug, what will be the immediate effects?  How will they change?  Show the person going through withdrawal step-by-step if they finally kick their habit.  Not all people will kick their habit, some people overdose or may die from other effects of the drug.  Show the long-term effects of the drug.  In the diagram, you must show a 25-year span of a person who is addicted to the drug.  Does this person lose their home, job, and family?  Do they steal?  Do not just have the information written out.  Use pictures and other forms of illustration.  Be as creative as possible.  Ask for help if you need ideas!
  2. Graphs and Charts: Create a graph or chart that shows the following information:
    1. The percentage of kids who start using the drug before they become adults and how many are still using into adulthood
    2. The percentage of people in different age levels who use the drug
    3. The percentage of people in different racial groups who use the drug
    4. How many people die every year from using the drug

Part III – The Skit

Create a skit involving all people in your group.  You will not get full credit for this part of the project if each person in the group is not involved.

The skit must be at least three minutes long and involve the life of someone who is addicted to the drug.  All members must project their voices and act out the skit.  This is not a reading but a short play that will be worth 25% of your grade for this project.  The play must have some form of moral ending, easily apparent to the listener.

Grading Rubric:

This project will be worth 800 points.

Section

Points

Requirements

Part I

350 points

Research project – 300 points – all questions must be answered for full credit

Works Cited – 50 points

Part II

250 points

Diagram - Must be colorful, creative, and show the lifespan of someone on drugs from day 1 to 25 years later.

Charts/Graphs – The information must be accurate.  Sources for the information must be cited.

Part III

200 points

Skit must be creative and have a clear plot – 60 points

It must be written down and practiced beforehand.

Students must project their voices and perform the skit as a play – 90 points

The play must have some form of moral ending, apparent to the listener. – 30 points

Must be at least 3 minutes long – 30 points

All research papers must be turned in electronically to www.turnitin.com in order to receive credit.

Period 2: Class ID: 2260428              PW: exterkamp

Period 3: Class ID: 2260512              PW: exterkamp

Period 4: Class ID: 2260518              PW: exterkamp