Oxnard, California 93033

April 29, 2008

Dr. Hennessy, President

Stanford University

Building 10

Stanford, CA 94305-2061

Dear Dr. Hennessy:

My name is Elijah          .  I am a thirteen-year-old eighth grade boy who attends Blackstock Junior High School.  All of my classes are at a honors level, and I have maintained a 4.0 GPA during my three years of middle school.  I won the science fair at my school as a seventh grader and came in second place this year.  I play percussion in the school band, and am also a member of the Renaissance, it is a club that celebrates anyone that gets a 3.0 to a 4.0 GPA, and as well as the California Junior Scholarship Federation clubs.  Some of my hobbies include playing drums, swimming, traveling, writing and playing baseball.  I have played baseball for nine years and currently play for a travel baseball team called the Blue Devils.  I am fortunate enough to be able to travel with my grandpa every summer to several different baseball stadiums.  I like to listen to 80s music such as U2 and Depeche Mode.  I am a hard-working kid who never gives up at anything and perseveres over any problem.  When I grow up I want to attend Stanford University and enroll in your school’s law program so that I can become a sports attorney.  Enclosed herein is a photograph of me.

I am writing to you because my honors English teacher, Ms. Coons, has given us a project called the “College and University Showcase”.  My assignment is to be a “surrogate recruiter” for Stanford University.  One of our assignments for this project is to give a three to five minute oral presentation that will be videotaped and sent to you.  I also have to create a display board for College Night.  On College Night all of the students will display our boards for parents and other students.  In addition to all of the college boards on display, there will also be guest speakers.

To help me represent Stanford in my oral presentation would you please send me brochures, pamphlets, and any other informational items?  Another thing that would help me greatly with my display board and that I would very much appreciate is for you to send me a Stanford University pennant, a t-shirt (adult size L), and any other Stanford paraphernalia.  I have visited your school’s website and also the campus, in 2007, during my spring break.  I am very excited about being Stanford’s “surrogate recruiter” for my language arts class.  Thank you in advance for your help with this project.

Sincerely,

Elijah

Encls

College and University Showcase

Research Project for Language Arts 8 Honors & AVID

For this project you are to become a representative of the college or university of your choice.  You will research your topic and then share the results of your investigation in a report and oral presentation with a PowerPoint.  This assignment includes the following components: Internet research; Cornell note-taking; drafting, editing and mailing letters of request; writing and mailing thank you cards; preparation, practice, and delivery of a three to five minute oral presentation including a PowerPoint, which will be videotaped and from which a Podcast will be created; construction of a free-standing display for College Night; planning, hosting and attending College Night, and drafting, editing and mailing a formal thank you letter that will include your video link.

You will practice the following language arts standards:

Writing

1.0                Write clear, coherent, and focused essays.  The writing exhibits students’ awareness of audience and purpose.  Essays contain formal introductions, supporting evidence, and conclusions.  You will use the steps of the writing process.

1.1          Create compositions that have a coherent thesis and end with a clear and well-supported conclusion.

1.2          Establish coherence within and among paragraphs through effective transitions, parallel structures, and similar writing techniques.

1.3                Support theses or conclusions with analogies, paraphrases, quotations, opinions from authorities, comparisons, and similar devices.

1.4                Plan and conduct multiple-step information searches by using computer networks.

1.5                Achieve an effective balance between researched information and original ideas.

1.6                Revise writing for word choice; appropriate organization; and transitions between paragraphs, passages, and ideas.

2.3                Write research reports:

a.       Define a thesis.

b.       Record important ideas, concepts, and direct quotations from significant information sources and paraphrase and summarize all perspectives on the topic.

c.        Use a variety of primary and secondary resources and distinguish the nature and value of each.

d.       Organize and display information on charts, maps, and graphs.

Listening and Speaking

1.0                Deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas clearly and relate to the background and interests of the audience.  Evaluate the content of oral communication.

1.2          Paraphrase a speaker’s purpose and points of view and ask relevant questions concerning the speaker’s content, delivery, and purpose.

1.3                Organize information to achieve particular purposes by matching the message, vocabulary, voice modulation, expression, and tone to the audience and purpose.

1.4                Prepare a speech outline based upon a chosen pattern of organization, which generally includes an introduction; transitions, previews and summarizes; a logically developed body; and an effective conclusion.

1.5                Use precise language, action verbs, and appropriate and colorful modifiers in ways that enliven oral presentations.

1.6                Use appropriate grammar, word choice, enunciation, and pace during formal presentations

1.7                Use audience feedback (verbal and nonverbal cues):

a.       Reconsider and modify the organizational structure or plan.

b.       Rearrange words and sentences to clarify the meaning.

1.8                Evaluate the credibility of the speaker.

2.0                Deliver well-organized formal presentations employing traditional rhetorical strategies.  Speaking demonstrates a command of standard American English and organizational and delivery strategies.

2.3                Deliver research presentations;

a.       Define a thesis.

b.       Record important ideas, concepts, and direct quotations from significant information sources and paraphrase and summarize all relevant perspectives on the topic.

c.        Use a variety of primary and secondary sources and distinguish the nature and value of each.

d.       Organize and display information on charts, maps, and graphs.

College and University Showcase Requirements:

1)    College Research and Choice:  Research colleges on the Internet using Collegeboard.com (complete College Matchmaker and record your results), Petersons.com, collegeview.com, u101.com, and edu-directory.org.  Take Cornell notes! Look for colleges that offer the field of study in which you are interested, and a place you might want to live for several years.  Field of study is more important than location.  Select several four year universities since there can be no duplicates in any of my classes or Ms. Leal’s and none of last year’s choices (see last page of packet) may be selected this year.  College research summary (minimum one page) is worth 25 points.  College choice (being present with 3 or 4 choices) is worth 25 points.  Research will be conducted in class on January 7 – 9.  College Choice Lottery will be held on January 9 (don’t be absent that day!).  Your 3 x 5 card with your assigned college will be kept to record date letter of request sent, date package/information received, contact person, date informal thank you mailed, and date formal thank you mailed.  You will turn in this card on March 6.  This card is worth 20 points.  Do not lose it!

2)   Letter of Request:  You will write and word process an error free, three paragraph letter to the college you are researching and representing requesting brochures, pamphlets, a campus newspaper, pennant, t shirt, etc.  You will use the block style (refer to pages 741-747). You will enclose a picture of yourself that you provide.  A copy of this letter will be on your display board.  This letter is worth 100 points.  Rough draft (typed & double spaced) due January 13 (25 points) and final is due January 16.  Sample letters will be provided.

3)   Thank you Note:  When you receive a package from the college, you will compose an error free thank you note (postcard) and send it to the person who sent the package.  This thank you note is worth 40 points.  If you do not receive a response, you will write a follow-up letter.  A sample will be provided.

4)   Oral Presentation: You will prepare a 3-5 minute speech about the college you are representing.  You will not memorize, read, or recite your speech; you will speak from note cards.  You will create a PowerPoint for your presentation. Your speech is essential, the PowerPoint is an accessory.  You will dress to impress since you are representing a distinguished four-year university.  Information about appropriate dress will be provided.  You will be videotaped and the video will be uploaded to the school’s website.  You will submit a final draft of your speech on February 9. You will create a Podcast of your speech.  This speech is worth 100 points; the Podcast is worth 25 points.  Refer to pp. 666 – 691 to write your speech and pp. 696 – 702 to prepare your oral presentation.  Oral Presentations will occur from February 10 – 25.

5)   Speech Evaluation:  The day after you give your speech, you must take copious Cornell notes on one of the presentations and write a one-page double spaced evaluation of one of the speakers that night for homework.  You are evaluating, pointing out strengths and weakness, not grading! (what they did well, what they could improve, what you learned) This paper is not shared with the speaker you evaluate.  If you present on the last day, you will take copious Cornell notes on the first day of oral presentations.  This evaluation is worth 50 points

6)   College Night and Display Board:  A couple students will be responsible for designing invitations.  All students will deliver invitations to their parents.  Students will provide refreshments and treats and help with set-up, hosting, and clean-up at College Night.  After invitations are sent, speakers are arranged, and College Night is planned, you will construct a free standing display board of the college you researched and represent.  You will have your picture taken with your parents standing next to your display board at College Night which is February 26th.  Put this in your agenda and tell your parents ASAP because attendance is mandatory!  This picture will be sent to the university with your formal thank you letter.  The display board is worth 30 points with an optional 5 extra credit points.

7)   Formal Thank you Letter:  After College Night, you will write and word process an error free three paragraph letter to the university contact person telling them about your presentation, College Night, what you learned, and thanking them for their help with your project.  This letter will be mailed with the picture from College Night.  The rough draft is due March 4 (25 points) and the final draft will be mailed on March 6.  This letter is worth 50 points.

Project Point Total: 515-520

Further details, examples (2, 3, & 7) information, and rubrics (4 & 5) will be provided for Requirements 2-7.