THE ENGLISH 105 STRETCH PROJECT

---stretch yourself into learning something else in your field---

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
The Stretch Project develops new skills and improves upon existing ones by having you study something of personal importance. Your topic is
open to anything related to the future job/career(s) you’ve chosen for yourself. Going into Architectural Drafting? You could research a
piece/area of architectural history/theory.
“The possibilities are endless.”

GOALS:
• Learn how to write a proposal, another technical
writing genre
• Conduct research on a topic of interest in one’s field
• Learn how to use outlines, another technical writing
genre
• Practice presenting information/Teaching others
PRODUCTS:
[ 100pts Total ] =
[ 25pts ] Proposal due before presentation, see syllabus chart
[ 25pts ] Presentation, see syllabus chart for designated day
[ 25pts ] Outline, due with presentation
[ 25pts ] Final Letter, due day after presentation

CRITERIA:
Any topic is fine so long as it is:
• Meaningful (to you)
• Substantial
• Research (by multiple means: interview, visitations,
reading, observing)
• Narrow and manageable
• Appropriate
• Not researched by another student or group in the
class – no duplications of topics please!
OPTIONS:
You may, if you prefer…
• Work in pairs, but not larger groups
• Write a paper instead of present (1500 words required
w/outline as top page, parenthetical citation, and
sources). This option combines the presentation points
with the outline points = 50pts. With this option, one still
has to complete the proposal and final letter.
MAJOR TASKS:
>Proposal: Create a one-page, single-spaced, typed proposal
explaining {25pts}: Why you want to investigate this subject, What you
already know about it, and What you want to find out about it.
>Outline: Make an outline for your topic; this will become the basis for
your presentation. You’ll hand these in before your presentation. These
should include all your sources. {25pts}
>Presentation: You must teach us about your subject in a presentation
(10 minutes or less). {25pts}
>Final Letter: Using your notes and your own experience with the
project, write a one-page, single-spaced letter in which you reflect on
what you accomplished, what you learned, and what you learned from
at least three (3) classmates’ presentations. {25pts}

MINOR TASKS:
Notes/Evaluations: Students should evaluate, respond, and
reflect on at least three fellow classmates’ presentations. This
information will be useful for the Final Letter.
STEPS IN THE PROCESS
1) Generate possible topics
2) Choose the most interesting one that meets the previous criteria
3) Brainstorm you topic
4) Write the Proposal & Hand in on Due Date - INDIVIDUAL
5) Research: Investigate your subject by doing as many of the following as possible:
• Read about your subject from multiple sources (newspapers, books, etc.)
• Interview others who know about this subject
• Observe or shadow people or places associated with your subject
• Conduct a Web search
6) Create an outline for your presentation, Hand in before you present
7) Present your Stretch Project - GROUP
7) Take Notes of classmates’ presentations
8) Write the Final Letter and Hand in on Due Date – INDIVIDUAL

THE
ENGLISH 105 STRETCH PROJECT
GRADING CHART

MAJOR TASK A B C D F
Excellent Good Okay Needs Work Unacceptable
Proposal: 25-23pts 22-20pts 19-18pts 17-15pts 14-0pts
Create a one-page, single-spaced, typed proposal Comments: Comments: Comments: Comments: Comments:
explaining {25pts}:
• Why you want to investigate this subject
• What you already know about it
• What you want to find out about it
Presentation: 25-23pts 22-20pts 19-18pts 17-15pts 14-0pts
You must teach us about your subject in a Comments: Comments: Comments: Comments: Comments:
presentation (10 minutes or less). {25pts}
Final Letter: 25-23pts 22-20pts 19-18pts 17-15pts 14-0pts
Using your notes and your own experience with the Comments: Comments: Comments: Comments: Comments:
project, write a one-page, single-spaced letter in
which you reflect on what you accomplished, what
you learned, and what you learned from classmates’
presentations. [Requirements for this Letter will be
handed out.] {25pts}
Outline w/Sources: 25-23pts 22-20pts 19-18pts 17-15pts 14-0pts
Make an outline for your topic; this will become the Comments: Comments: Comments: Comments: Comments:
basis for your presentation. You’ll hand these in
before your presentation. {25pts}
{100pts total}