Hayley Westphal

Domain

#1: Research
In order to portray your side of the
argument, you must have and
understanding of your character
and your side. You must use
resources such as the book, Internet
sources, and other forms of media
to form a concept of what youre
arguing for and what your points
are, submit in the form of a works
cited page.
#2: Characterization
Your role in the trial requires your
knowledge of the character. Make
inferences to develop your
character, considering relationships
to other characters, or the role you
have in the court room. This
requires performance and creativity
to build a convincing
characterization.
#3: Evidence
A sound argument displays
background knowledge and
reflection on outside sources. Your
research must be used in your role
in the form of evidence, referring
back to the texts used in a way that
is relevant to your stance and
argument.
#4: Final Statement
The final statement is a clear and
concise summary of opinion or
argument as your role, tying in
major themes you have found in
your research as well as a last
thought or conviction you have as
your character in regard to the
mock trial case.

Used few sources that reflected

the role and supported the
argument, using the text while
also exploring other outside
areas to bring in more about the
role. Works cited page is turned
in at the end of class.

Used a variety of sources in collaboration

with one another that created a wellrounded argument that accurately reflected
the role and strongly supported the
argument. Went beyond the text to explore
other avenues such as the Internet, articles,
film interpretations, and real-world
discussion. Works cited page formatted
correctly and turned in at the close of class.

Assumed a character in the

given role in line with the text.
Demonstrated performance
creativity, expanding
characterization. Quiet roles
showed biography and reflection
into background.

Took liberties in expanding

characterization, staying true to the texts
and research given. Demonstrated
performance creativity and built off of
other characters;
for more quiet roles: final statements were
written in character and reflected
background and biography insights into the
character you played.

Made references that support the

relevance and arguments of the
character.

Made references to texts and resources in

ways that supported the argument and were
relevant to the character and stance to
support claims.

Final statement is concise and

role-related, with a final say on
what stance or opinion you
believe to be right regarding the
trial.

Final statement is clear, concise and

focused to your role. It includes major
themes that you have found in your
research with a final say on what stance or
opinion you believe to be the right one
regarding the trial.

3+

Hayley Westphal
Right and Wrong in Science Fiction
English 11
Mock Trial
Throughout this unit we have explored the ethical questions
that are raised by the science fiction genre. Now that we have
finally wrapped up The Time Machine and Fahrenheit 451, we will
put the ethics into play, using research, textual evidence, and
a little bit of theatrics. This will take place in the form of a
mock trial where we will determine the true ethical aspect of
this experiment: Scientists want to grow and mass produce
brainless humanoid creatures in order to harvest their fullygrown organs to end cancer, death by organ failure, and save
countless of lives from other diseases and accidents. The goal
of this trial is to address and determine if this experiment
truly is something to pursue using our resources and by
portraying characters involved with these worlds. By the end of
this week, each of you will have a character assigned to you.
You will then conduct research related to the texts we have read
and pull in outside resources to strengthen your stance (either
for the experiment or against the experiment) to form an
argument to contribute to the trial. The trial will be conducted
over the course of two days, where each side will have the
chance to call up witnesses, hear testimonies, and appeal to the
judge and jury, compiled of your classmates. Your performance as
well as a final statement of argument and reflection will be
evaluated using a checklist and the rubric, which is attached to
this assignment. These will serve as guiding tools to help you
compile your best arguments and conduct the most effective
research.
Your work and contribution to this trial will be evaluated on
the following criteria:
1. Research
Research is the foundation of your argument and of how you will
come to understand your assigned character. It is not just about
the literal character, but the role too. Consider big ideas
about your characters that you can research in the real world..
Are you a professional like a clergy or a scientist? Evaluate
the ethical arguments of a variety of topics and related
scientific issues (stem-cell research, anyone?) to give yourself

Hayley Westphal
all the opportunity in the world to support your case. Do not
limit yourself strictly to articles or texts either. There is a
wide variety of media out there, use it to your best ability. I
have resources available in the classroom as well which will be
made available to you as we begin this project.
2. Characterization
This is where our theatrics come in. Who is your character? What
is their story? Everyone will work to develop a character
identity even as a jury member or judge. Backstories are
important, and you may take some liberties with this. Think
about your characters relationship to others, how they got
roped into the trial, what interests them about the case? This
will take some research, but also some creative thinking. On the
days of the trial, you will become your character from the
moment you walk into the classroom until the bell rings. Show us
that you know who you are, and you will make a more compelling
case for the jury.
3. Evidence
This is a more cut-and-dry aspect of the project. Every piece of
research you look at and decide to use to develop your character
and argument must be written down to create a works cited page.
Alongside of this, you must refer to your evidence when you are
on the stand and/or making your final statement. Evidence will
not only help you create a stronger argument, but it will tell
the jury (and me) that you are a credible source of information.
4. Final Statement
Your final statement will be a reflection on your character as
well as a final look at who you think really is right or wrong
in the trial. This will also serve as a way to connect your
research with the major themes of this unit in a way that is
clear and concise. You will be able to step out of your
character for this piece to tell me what you really believe
after the trials conclusion. Remember: this is meant to be
brief. One full page, double-spaced, will be more than plenty to
convey the aspects of this statement.
Last but not least are the roles. Think about what role you
would like to participate in. Mind you, all of these roles are

Hayley Westphal
equally important and valuable to determining whether or not
this experiment should proceed. Roles will ultimately be
determined by luck of the draw whoever is interested in a
certain role will be placed in the same pool to be chosen.
Everyone will have a role. Your options are the following:
Prosecuting lawyers 2 people (The side that is against
the experiment)
o Leading Ethicist 1
o Clinical Psychologist 1
o Scientist 1
o Member of the Clergy 1
Defense lawyers 2 people (The side that is for the
experiment)
o Leading Researcher 1
o Mayor of the city 1
o Nurse 1
o Science Fiction Author 1
Character Witnesses/Professionals
o Ethical Campaign Manager 1
o Medical Supervisor 1
o Parent of brain dead individual 1
o Brain Surgeon 1
Court Officials
o Judge 1
o Jury 8
Below is a checklist to help you keep track of your progress as
we move through this project:
___ Have idea of which role you want (Date)
___ Receive role (Date)
___ Have three possible resources (Date)
___ Have a character biography written up (Date)
___ Have three confirmed resources to use for your argument
(Date)

Hayley Westphal
___ Meet with your side, discuss order of character witnesses,
strategies, major points (Date)
___ Compile information

(Date)

___ TRIAL!! (Date)

___ Final Statement Submission (Date)