LIST AND DESCRIBE
This form is used mainly in the Primary and Junior years. There is some challenge in this format where the student is required to build a model for demonstration purposes.

Choosing and investigating the topic — if there is a choice:

• clarify the topic to be described,
• gather the best material from good sources.

• sort and sequence the materials for interest and importance.
• design a good presentation form
• fit the materials to the form of presentation.
• centre and focus on the important information:
• highlighted in a poster board presentation
• placed prominently in a written paper

• 90% of the important work is done,
• but the presentation is the basis for most of the marks.
• Take close care to see that there is enough time to do a great job on the presentation.

TIPS

• Have a surprise for the teacher — something that makes them take a second look.
• a quote from some expert,
• a small model, or some
• really extraordinary or unusual detail that is fully explained.
• a unique display format.
• Make sure the display or paper is as clean and neat as possible.
• Keep all notes on all the sources used, with author, publisher and place and date of publication.

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THE COMPARISON PROJECT/ESSAY
Find the appropriate points to compare (or contrast — the opposite of 'compare'). These points can be at several levels, and that's the trick.

The themes.

• these involve the items to be compared.
• there may be several different types of each item, or there may be wholly different items to compare.
• this must be established from the start

• once the items for comparison are established, then the categories of comparison must be identified.

• make sure the closer analysis is made measuring the degree to which each of the comparators (things being compared) meet or miss the standard.
• make up a chart or table with the categories down the rows and the comparators across the columns.

• from the comparison analysis draw a conclusion
• design the format to best make your point
• it is a comparison, so design the paper so that is clear
• make sure that the paper keeps the length assigned, and plan out the number of each words for each section, including the introduction and conclusion.
• then start writing or preparing the presentation.

• it is hardly ever the case that one comparator is the complete winner.
• find some unusual fact or information to include.
• Indicate interest and surprise (if appropriate) at the findings,
• make sure the grammar and spelling are edited — very important!!
• set aside clear chunks of time to work on the project complexity.

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THE RESEARCH/EVALUATION PROJECT
The research project can be of two types:

• the ill-defined project in which a theme is given but the topic and examples are chosen by the student. In this type of project, there is not predetermined answer. That depends on the research and findings of the student.
• the well-defined project is designed to see if the student can replicate some finding previously discovered. The most obvious examples are exercises in math or language where the student can find the answer in the back of the book.

• the teacher asks students to evaluate a work of literature or music or art, using the recognized terms/criteria of evaluation appropriate to the subject.

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