AP Seminar: Reviewing Your Individual Research Report

Summary

In this educational video, Allison Lee, a teacher at Carmel High School, provides a comprehensive guide for students on revising their Individual Research Reports (IRR) for the AP Capstone course. The focus is on enhancing the IRR's significance, given its increased weightage from 10% to 31.5% in the AP score. Lee discusses the evaluation criteria, emphasizing the importance of quality sources, particularly academic journals, and provides a detailed revision checklist. She advises students to ensure their research questions are narrow, well-articulated, and that their writing is clear, academic, and proofread. The video concludes with tips on improving the IRR and the option to resubmit for a better score.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lesson focuses on the revision process for the Individual Research Report (IRR), which has increased in importance from 10% to 31.5% of the AP score.
• 🔍 The teacher emphasizes the importance of having a complete draft of the IRR before beginning the revision process, even if it's a rough first draft.
• 🎯 The revision process should aim to improve the IRR based on the rubric's criteria, which includes context, understanding of arguments, quality of evidence, and citations.
• 📈 The rubric's rows 1 & 3 are assessed together, focusing on the context and quality of evidence, including the variety and credibility of sources.
• 📘 The teacher suggests an average of 7 to 10 sources for the IRR, with a preference for academic journals and a range of perspectives.
• 🔗 It's crucial to ensure that all sources are properly cited both in-text and on the bibliography/reference page for consistency.
• 🤔 The paper should be divided into at least two perspectives, each clearly articulated and connected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of different viewpoints.
• 🗣 The use of academic language and formality is essential; the teacher advises against using 'I' and 'you' as they make the writing seem informal.
• ✅ The clarity of communication, adherence to the word count, and proper formatting are critical for achieving high scores in rows 5 & 6.
• 👀 The teacher recommends proofreading and using tools or having others read the paper to catch errors and improve the writing.
• 📝 The strength of the IRR is significantly influenced by the quality of the sources used, with a strong emphasis on peer-reviewed journals and academic sources.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the second part of Lesson 10?

The main focus of the second part of Lesson 10 is to guide students on how to transition to the revision process of their Individual Research Report (IRR) to improve its quality, given the increased weight of the IRR in their AP scores.

Who is Allison Lee and what is her role in this video?

Allison Lee is a teacher at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana, and in this video, she is presenting the second part of Lesson 10, specifically focusing on the revision process for the IRR.

What is the significance of the increase in weight for the IRR in AP scores?

The increased weight for the IRR in AP scores, from 10% to 31.5%, highlights the importance of the IRR and necessitates that students submit the best possible version of their report.

What does Allison Lee suggest students do before revising their IRR?

Allison Lee suggests that students should have a complete draft of their IRR, even if it's a first draft that needs improvement, before they start the revision process.

How many sources does Allison Lee recommend including in the IRR?

Allison Lee recommends including roughly seven sources in the IRR, as this number helps to illustrate that research has been conducted and provides a variety of perspectives.

What is the importance of academic sources in the IRR according to the transcript?

Academic sources, especially peer-reviewed journals, are important in the IRR because they contribute to a high score on the rubric, particularly for rows 1 & 3, which focus on the quality and variety of sources.

What does Allison Lee mean by 'perspective' in the context of the IRR?

In the context of the IRR, a 'perspective' refers to a distinct viewpoint or argument presented in the report, which should be clearly articulated and not simply an occupation or lens.

Why is it important to have a conversation between perspectives in the IRR?

Having a conversation between perspectives in the IRR is important because it shows the connections and relationships between different viewpoints, enhancing the depth and coherence of the report.

What are the main aspects Allison Lee covers in the revision process for the IRR?

The main aspects Allison Lee covers in the revision process for the IRR include evaluating the quality and variety of sources, ensuring perspectives are clearly articulated and connected, and checking for conventions and citations.

What advice does Allison Lee give regarding the word count for the IRR?

Allison Lee advises students to adhere to the word count specified by the College Board, which is 1200 words, and to ensure that their writing is clear, cohesive, and focused.

What is the final advice Allison Lee gives to students regarding their IRR?

Allison Lee's final advice is for students to focus on the quality of their sources, as this is the most significant factor in the grade they will receive for the IRR. She also encourages students to take the time to revise and improve their IRR, considering the increased weight in their AP scores.