English 404 Oral Presentations Assignment: As we begin our class discussion of the pilgrim you have been assigned, you will give a presentation (15 minutes approximately) on the historical counterparts of Chaucer's character. Your presentation should address the following questions: 1. What was the specific job of the character in 14th-century England? 2. 3. What status did he/she have in society? 4. 5. What stereotypes (if any) existed about the character? 6. 7. In what ways does Chaucer's character fit and/or differ from the typical counterpart in medieval times?** 8. 9. What do you conclude from the comparison? 10. **The fourth question should get careful attention. Your claims should be clear and supported with specific evidence from the General Prologue, the pilgrim's prologue, and the pilgrim's tale. Your presentation should include · at least one image, more if possible · the use of sources found in Lovejoy Library or another university library or through the approved internet sites only (see syllabus for these) · at least three quotations from the Canterbury Tales read in Middle English, paraphrased in modern English and discussed Pictures are great aids to learning. Please take advantage of the computer equipment we have in the classroom to show pictures that help give an idea of the character you are giving background for and his/her life, occupation, typical clothing, etc. Powerpoint presentations that give only verbal outlines are not as effective as presentations with image and quotations. Please use reputable sources in researching this presentation. Use the websites listed on the syllabus and Lovejoy Library; avoid .com sites. Presentation Due Dates: Since one purpose of your presentation is to help your classmates' understanding of a particular pilgrim's tale, it is essential that you give your presentation at the beginning of the first class during which we discuss that tale. Failure to do so will result in a grade of 0 for this assignment. It will not be possible to "make up" this assignment. Evaluation Criteria: 1. Clarity: Does the presentation give us a clearer sense of how Chaucer is using this pilgrim? 2. Completeness: Does the presentation answer the questions the assignment asks? 3. Reliability/Quality of Sources: Does the presentation avoid .com sites and use resources from Lovejoy Library and from primary sources? 4. Accuracy and expressiveness of reading/translation. Schedule: 1/20 Knight Justin Guzman 2/24 Merchant Brittany Gardner 3/24 Prioress Latrice Johnson 4/5 Monk Terry Ward
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