Choose one (1) of the three (3) reading selections from the list of topic choices below. The focus is on brief but important primary source material written by major authors. Read the selections as identified with each topic below.  Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (250 words) which analyzes the “surprise ending” of the reading selection. 

Topic Choices

• Reading selection from Descartes’ Discourse on the Method (Part IV). Descartes begins with a proof of one basic conclusion and ends with a proof of something much grander. Remember to focus on the surprise and point of realization, not the details of the philosophical argument. Read Part IV of the Discourse on the Method located at http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/authors/descartes.html.This is only four or five (4 or 5) pages of the larger work.

• Reading selection of Swift’s A Modest Proposal. It is essential to recognize the genre of this work, as discussed in our class text, which you should consult and cite. Swift promotes a radical solution, but subtle options are mentioned. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. Read and focus on A Modest Proposal located at http://www.victorianweb.org/previctorian/swift/modest.html.

• Two (2) reading selections from Voltaire’s Candide. Consider how these readings start and end in terms of the action and the beliefs. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. These selections can be found on pp. 834-835 in the textbook. In addition, consult the class text at pp. 815-817.

  For the reading selection you choose:

1. Clearly state in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you selected. Clearly identify the point in the reading when you realized that there were elements in the reading that surprised you. Not all of the surprises come at the end.

2. Evaluate how successful the author was in convincing you to accept the validity of the “surprise ending” that was different from what you expected. 

   Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for reference)

• Include a cover page containing the tile of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

• Use the source(s) identified above for the topic you choose, focusing on the main primary source of that author. You may use additional sources also if they are of good academic quality for college papers (Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify). Use proper APA style in-text citing and also a matching APA style References list at the end. 

Please note that this forum has
two parts, so read these instructions carefully.

First, choose one of the essays
from the section “Issues Facing the America” listed in the “Supplemental
Readings” section of the course lessons. Then, explain to the class where you
believe the following terms are found in the essay if applicable: claim,
support, warrant, backing, rebuttal, and qualifier. Give citations to back up
your points, and create a final works cited citation for this
essay.

Next, please take a look at the
Turnitin.com report that was created when you uploaded your Critical Evaluation
Essay.  Did you learn anything from reading that report?  What, if anything, do
you need to do differently when you cite your sources for your next
essay?

You have been asked to speak to an audience on the importance of the social factors affecting one’s experience of life. For this presentation, create an interesting and educational PowerPoint presentation, which contains a critical narrative that integrates aspects of the various theories with your individual sociocultural experiences.

To begin, create a PowerPoint presentation of four to five slides (excluding title and reference slides). Research each theory fully so that you can effectively synthesize information relevant to these topics. Your presentation must include at least three scholarly sources that are cited in APA format Please see the following instructions for creating your content.

• Select one of the following theories as your main focus and use it to compare the other two theories: the biopsychosocial paradigm, person in environment (PIE) perspective, and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory.
• Provide a discussion on how the environment impacts humans, including examples of how this theory shows that your environment impacts your life. Please do not include anything you are uncomfortable sharing with your instructor.
• Provide secondary summary slides with descriptions of the other two theories.
• Incorporate appropriate images, tables, graphs, or other visuals as necessary.

Please observe these general guidelines for your visual presentation. This link contains tips for creating effective slide presentations.

• Slides should be sequenced and organized clearly.
• Slides should show a clear and logical progression of ideas.
• Slides should include bullet points or short sentences, not dense paragraphs.
• Slides should include relevant visuals such as images, graphs, tables, data summaries, sound, and/or animation that enhance understanding of concepts, ideas, and relationships.
• Slides should include appropriately formatted APA citations for all information taken from your resources.
• The presentation as a whole should include a consistent theme, format, and font to assist with readability.

Once you have completed your PowerPoint, create a screencast of your presentation using Screencast-O-Matic. Include a title for your presentation in the description box when you publish your screencast. Refer to the Screencast-O-Matic Quick-Start Guide for assistance.

Your presentation time has been limited by your host to between three and five minutes, so you will need to incorporate as many characteristics of an effective speaker as you can within this timeframe. These characteristics may include humor, storytelling, facts, pace, and volume. Since there is no video of the presenter (just the presentation itself), you will not have the benefit of body language, so be sure to create a convincing screencast.

Copy and paste the URL link to your screencast into the title page of your PowerPoint presentation and submit your presentation for grading. All sources used within the presentation must be cited properly within the slides and included on the required reference slide, which will be the last slide of the PowerPoint presentation. Due to the time limit of your presentation, you are not required to speak or read through the title or reference slides. However, you must include your reference slide when you submit your PowerPoint presentation.

Creating the PresentationThe PowerPoint presentation:

• Must be four to five slides (excluding title and reference slides).
• Must include a title slide with the following:
• Title of the presentation
• Student’s name
• Course name and number
• Instructor’s name
• Date submitted
• URL for your Screenr.com screencast presentation

• Must begin with a content slide that provides a summary of the main theory as it relates to an experience of how environment impacts life.  A succinct thesis statement must be present, either in the text on the slide or clearly stated in the speaker’s voice over for the screencast.
• Must include slide(s) of the two perspectives of how environment impacts human beings.
• Must include example(s) of how the social/environmental perspective impacts one’s life, using each of these three perspectives.  Use specific life experiences to demonstrate these impacts (e.g., a child with autism and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory). Who is affected by this disorder and how?  Consider micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
• Must include images and text that tastefully convey the message presented on each slide.
• Must utilize Screenr.com to create a screencast video presentation that presents each slide in more detail.
• Must use at least three scholarly resources.
• Must conform to the screencast time limit of between three and five minutes.
• Must have appropriate in-text citations for all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a separate reference slide that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Assignment 3: Justification Report – Presentation
Due Week 8 and worth 150 points

Now that you have completed your report, it is time to design and present your findings. Your task is to organize and develop the three parts (introduction, body, and closing) of an effective presentation, based on your Justification Report (Assignment 2.3). Chapter 13 in our text provides overall information on presentation format, content, and delivery. Please use as a guide for this assignment.

Create an eight to ten (8-10) slide presentation in which you:

• Include a title slide, introductory slide, and a closing slide.
• For your introduction, open with an engaging introduction of the topic of your report. Include one (1) title slide and one (1) introductory slide.
• For the body of your presentation, cover the main points of your report. Create slides that reinforce and illustrate your main ideas. Follow basic design principles for effective slide content.
• For your single closing slide, finish with a memorable wrap-up statement that refocuses on the purpose of your report.
• Use PowerPoint voice-over or the notes section to present your slides.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Include a title slide containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The title slide is not included in the required slide length.
• Format the PowerPoint presentation with headings on each slide, and two to three (2-3) relevant graphics (photographs, graphs, clip art, etc.), ensuring that the presentation is visually appealing and readable from 18 feet away. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Slides should abbreviate the information in no more than five or six (5 or 6) bullet points each.
• Slide titles should be based on the criteria being summarized (e.g., “Four Key Attributes,” “Responses to Budget Issues,” etc.).

Assignment Checklist: 

• Descriptive titles on each of the slides
• Text contains concise, precise content
• Graphics convey the idea described by the slide text
• Statements in bulleted lists have a parallel structure
• The font size is easily read from a distance
• There are no more than three (3) different font styles in the presentation
• The color and background convey a formal business tone
• Animation effects are used in moderation
• There are no misspellings or typographical errors

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Assess strengths and weaknesses in the student’s own oral communication and in the oral communication of others.
• Use sentence variety, effective word choice, and correct grammar in oral communication.
• Analyze verbal and nonverbal techniques that enhance oral communication within a business and/or professional context.