International Trade Webquest

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Exemplary 3
Research Data gathering Information Seeking/Selecting Evaluating	Student gathered information that lacked relevance, quality, depth and balance.	Student gathered information from a variety of relevant sources--print and electronic	Sources are relevant, balanced and include critical readings relating to the thesis or problem. Primary sources were included (if appropriate).
Analysis Data gathering and analysis Inferences made	Information provided was limited to basically copying and pasting direct from the web links provided. Greater effort is required to identify key arguments which are presented.	Clear and accurate information was provided with an understanding of the key issues being demonstrated. A clear overview of the issues was presented.	Excellent knowledge and understanding of the key issues has been shown. Ability to draw conclusions and develop ideas has been shown. Effective use of evidence has been made to support your argument.
Persuasion Quality of argument Match of appeal to audience Organization & sequence	Shows little evidence of persuasion. Writer's position is unclear or out of focus. Missing, limited or unrelated details require the reader to fill in many blanks. Lists of minor details or facts may be substituted for true development or expansion. Everything seems as important as everything else. What is the main point? The writer's argument is built on unsupported opinions or emotional appeals. The writer does not acknowledge opposing viewpoints.	Makes a credible effort to persuade the audience General information makes the reader long for specifics. Well-focused information blends with repetitive points, trivia or unconvincing arguments. The writer demonstrates some critical thinking but too often settles for generalities. Some but not all points of the writer's argument are supported by facts, examples, or reasons. Writer reveals knowledge of alternate points of view but fails to present them adequately.	Makes a dramatic and compelling argument. Confidently and clearly asserts an arguable proposition or opinion. Chooses just the right information to make her position understandable, and interesting without bogging down in trivia. Details work together to expand the main topic and support the writer's position, giving the whole piece a strong sense of focus. The writer builds a convincing argument using clear thinking and an appeal to reason. The writing effectively presents alternate points of view yet remains focused.
Written Report Grammar/ spelling Organization Formatting	Parts of the report are difficult to follow and understand. Spelling errors are frequent. Punctuation is often missing or incorrect. Paragraphing is irregular. Errors in grammar and usage are very noticeable, and may affect meaning. Extensive editing would be required to polish the text for publication..	Spelling is usually correct on common words. Punctuation is almost always correct; (commas, apostrophes, semicolons) may be incorrect or missing. Problems with grammar usage are not serious enough to distort meaning. Paragraphing is attempted. Paragraphs sometimes run together or begin in the wrong places. The paper seems to reflect light, but not extensive or thorough, editing.	Paragraphing tends to be sound and to reinforce the organizational structure. Grammar and usage are correct. Punctuation is smooth and guides the reader through the text. Spelling is generally correct, even on more difficult words. Only light editing would be required to polish the text for publication.

Beginning

Developing

Exemplary

Score

Research

Data gathering

Information Seeking/Selecting

Evaluating

Student gathered information that lacked relevance, quality, depth and balance.

Student gathered information from a variety of relevant sources--print and electronic

Sources are relevant, balanced and include critical readings relating to the thesis or problem. Primary sources were included (if appropriate).

Analysis

Data gathering and analysis

Inferences made

Information provided was limited to basically copying and pasting direct from the web links provided. Greater effort is required to identify key arguments which are presented.

Clear and accurate information was provided with an understanding of the key issues being demonstrated. A clear overview of the issues was presented.

Excellent knowledge and understanding of the key issues has been shown. Ability to draw conclusions and develop ideas has been shown. Effective use of evidence has been made to support your argument.

Persuasion

Quality of argument

Match of appeal to audience

Organization & sequence

Shows little evidence of persuasion.

Writer's position is unclear or out of focus.

Missing, limited or unrelated details require the reader to fill in many blanks.

Lists of minor details or facts may be substituted for true development or expansion.

Everything seems as important as everything else. What is the main point?

The writer's argument is built on unsupported opinions or emotional appeals.

The writer does not acknowledge opposing viewpoints.

Makes a credible effort to persuade the audience

General information makes the reader long for specifics.

Well-focused information blends with repetitive points, trivia or unconvincing arguments.

The writer demonstrates some critical thinking but too often settles for generalities.

Some but not all points of the writer's argument are supported by facts, examples, or reasons.

Writer reveals knowledge of alternate points of view but fails to present them adequately.

Makes a dramatic and compelling argument.

Confidently and clearly asserts an arguable proposition or opinion.

Chooses just the right information to make her position understandable, and interesting without bogging down in trivia.

Details work together to expand the main topic and support the writer's position, giving the whole piece a strong sense of focus.

The writer builds a convincing argument using clear thinking and an appeal to reason.

The writing effectively presents alternate points of view yet remains focused.

Written Report

Grammar/ spelling

Organization

Formatting

Parts of the report are difficult to follow and understand.

Spelling errors are frequent.

Punctuation is often missing or incorrect.

Paragraphing is irregular.

Errors in grammar and usage are very noticeable, and may affect meaning.

Extensive editing would be required to polish the text for publication..

Spelling is usually correct on common words.

Punctuation is
almost always correct; (commas, apostrophes, semicolons) may be incorrect or missing.

Problems with grammar usage are not serious enough to distort meaning.

Paragraphing is attempted. Paragraphs sometimes run together or begin in the wrong places.

The paper seems to reflect light, but not extensive or thorough, editing.

Paragraphing tends to be sound and to reinforce the organizational structure.

Grammar and usage are correct.

Punctuation is smooth and guides the reader through the text.

Spelling is generally correct, even on more difficult words.

Only light editing would be required to polish the text for publication.

You and your teammates will then work together to create a Task Force Recommendation for the National Republican Committee (NRC) or the Democratic National Committee (DNC). This report presents your team's combined answer to the Quest(ion) and will be presented in a PowerPoint presentation to the NRC or DNC (your classmates and teacher). This presentation will be graded based on the following rubric.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Exemplary 3
Selection of Goals for Trade Policy Articulation of selection criteria Organization Adequacy of elements considered	Reasons for choosing the three goals were unclear.	Evidence of some group interaction in the goal selection process.	Selection of goals reflects serious discussion and compromise to arrive at the three most critical goals for the policy recommendation.
Analysis Data gathering and analysis Inferences made	Information provided was limited to basically copying and pasting direct from the web links provided. Greater effort is required to identify key arguments which are presented.	Clear and accurate information was provided with an understanding of the key issues being demonstrated. A clear overview of the issues was presented..	Excellent knowledge and understanding of the key issues has been shown. Ability to draw conclusions and develop ideas has been shown. Effective use of evidence has been made to support your argument.
Interpretation / Perspective Coherence and consistency Synthesis of multiple points of view Substantiation of points made with facts Understanding of implications Understanding of alternative viewpoints	The Task Force Recommendation appears to be more a collation of individual reports rather than demonstrating clear understanding of the key issues from all perspectives.	The Task Force Recommendation is based on clear understanding of key issues and works to balance them. Some weak spots may still exist.	Clear reasons have been provided for the Task Force Recommendation. A variety of evidence is provided. Key issues that make the topic a challenge to come to terms with have been included.
Cooperative Group Work Group cooperates and works well together. Students exchange ideas, listen to the ideas of others, defend their ideas, and rethink their ideas to reach a consensus. Group stays on task All members contribute fairly to the final product.	Teacher rarely observed these characteristics.	Teacher observed these characteristics most of the time.	Teacher observed these characteristics consistently.
PowerPoint Presentation Technical quality (presentation works without any glitches) Aesthetics Grammar/spelling Length (long enough to cover the assigned material but still concise) Presentation contains short bullet points which are orally explained.	The final work seems rushed or incomplete. Careless errors may confuse the audience. Background and colors make the presentation difficult to read and follow.	Care has been taken to create a finished product. Few errors exist and these wouldn't be confusing. Slides are usually clear and readable from a distance.	Care and creativity make this an interesting and polished final work Topic covered thoroughly Enough information given to understand topic Did not exclude any important information or include any unnecessary information. The background and colors enhance the readability of text.