History Project
Scope: Four hundred years ago, the first enslaved people from Africa arrived in the Virginia colony. To observe the anniversary of American slavery, The New York Times Magazine launched The 1619 Project to reframe America’s history through the lens those who toil through slavery and its legacy. In this magazine, there are works that take up the question of freedom, equality, justice, citizenship, and community.
Project Descriiption: Your job is to create a research project inspired by a selected piece in The 1619 Project. Stories engage people by making a topic relatable. Storytelling uses different things like video, audio, and pictures to show the story in a unique way. The format of project and the way they can be shared creates an emotional connection to the topic, inviting people to engage with a story and take action as a result of seeing it.
Project Instructions: Students are asked to create a project (5 minute video, 8-10 slide powerpoint, 5 page research paper, poster board, etc.) inspired one of the pieces in the NYT’s 1619 Project.
Step 1: Delve into The 1619 Project packet and select one piece to inspire your project
• Once your topic is selected, began researching your project using the Hoffman Library resources
• Once you have your piece, ask yourself the following questions about each one:
• What is my connection to this topic?
• Is it motivating to an audience?
• Is it relatable?
• Can I tell this story in just a few minutes?
• Is there supporting material (e.g., photos, data, video) that I can use to help tell my story?
Step 2: Framing your Story
Regardless if you decide to do a powerpoint, paper or video, you want to set up project to be engaging for people. As a storyteller, it is helpful to give details for your story to help people understand your view.
Here are things to keep in mind when framing a story of recovery:
• What is unique about your story?
• Remember that you own your story. While it is important for the story to be honest, it is also important to share your experience in a way that feels comfortable for you.
Sample Outline:
1. Beginning
a. Get your audience’s attention and motivate them to listen
b. Offer some background information about the topic
c. Highlight your experience
d. Set the tone for the story
e. Move to the body of the story
2. Body
a. Organize your main points (usually 2-5 for a story that is less than 5 minutes long)
b. Make sure main points support the purpose of your story
c. Include support material
3. End
a. Summarize your main points
b. Finish the circular journey by connecting your beginning and end
c. Use a strong closing statement
I chose to do my paper on Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.
