A little help with this project please: AP Language/King
Visual Argument: Propose Your Own Monument or Memorial Project
For this project you will choose a person, an event, or perhaps an idea/concept that you feel is significant and worthy of acknowledgement.   Ultimately you will design a monument /memorial that you feel most appropriately commemorates your subject.  Your design will be an example of a visual argument and you will need to explain the choices made in your design.  Site choice will be an important part of your design and need to be discussed as well.  In the end you will share your proposal with the class in a multimedia presentation that outlines your monument and explains the choices in design and placement.  However, before presenting you’ll need to complete several preliminary tasks :
1.      Discuss Maya Lin’s essay “Making the Monument”
Maya Lin’s essay gives us a thoughtful reflection on her process of designing the Vietnam Memorial in Washington.  From her essay we understand some of the complex factors involved in designing a public memorial.
2.     Choose your topic:
With your group (2 or 3 members)--or individually--brainstorm a topic.  Next answer the following questions:
1.       Whom or what are you commemorating?
2.      Why is this a worthwhile topic?
3.      Who will be the primary audience of your proposal? (Who will fund it?)
4.      Who will be the audience for your monument?
5.      What is a logical location for this monument?  Why?
6.      What issues or controversies can you foresee because of this monument?
7.       How will you address opposing views?
 4.     Design the Monument
Now, your group needs to decide on the visual representation that will match the claims you are making with your monument.  Consider rhetorical strategies that translate visually to support your claims (juxtaposition, scale, contrast, etc).  The best projects will be innovative and moving. 
How will the elements of the design create meaning about the person or event that you are commemorating?  How should the physical form of the monument appear, based on audience and theme?  (Here’s where you need to consider all the logistical aspects of your design—size, materials, orientation, etc)   Discuss and develop aesthetic concepts, paying special attention to whether the design is representational or abstract. 
What specific site do you plan to use, and why? Consider environmental issues.  Also consider the way public will encounter your design—is it meant for people to experience through participation, or is it more of an observational or viewing space?
Your initial design should start with an accurate sketch representing your monument and site.
5.     Organize and Create your Proposal
2.      The second part of your proposal will be a 10-12 min presentation in front of the class.  You have a few options for the format: a slideshow/prezi or a video.  Either way, your presentation must give an outline of the reasons you feel your subject is worthy of commemorating.  You must also address obstacles you foresee in the project.  Your presentation must include a finalized visual of your monument and a google earth image of the site you are proposing.  I would recommend a visual that shows an overlay of your monument on the site if possible.  If you are tactile and prefer a hands on approach you can alternately present using a 3-dimensional model and/or posters to represent your proposed monument.  
Memorial/Monument Project Rubric--Presentation

Group Members:





Subject:




Poor
Deficient
Satisfactory
Good
Excellent
Organization
Transitions, timing, cohesion
Does each group member have a clear role/purpose?  
Are you able to get started without delay?  
Was the presentation rehearsed to meet the proposed presentation time frame?
Were group members reading or speaking to the audience?












Ethos
Did you clearly introduce each group member?
Did you/your group give the impression of being a credible authority on your subject?  
Does your group sound invested in your topic?
Did you provide accurate and relevant (and concise) exposition for your subject?
Were you able to deal with follow up questions from the teacher/class?



















Site Selection
Did you carefully consider all the factors related to your proposed site?  
Have you taken into account all the parties involved in this subject to be sensitive to the desires of those most affected by your topic?  
Have you considered the function/purpose of your design with location in mind?  
Have you acknowledged potential challenges/issues with your site (regardless of how carefully you chose it).  
Have you taken into account the environment, weather, security, maintenance?










Materials 
Do you have a good way to justify the materials you’ll be using?
 Are you realistic regarding cost and how that connects to your audience?.  (Keep in mind the generalized purpose of your monument/memorial when choosing materials.)  
Did you explain any issues in the sourcing of materials (relevant to your topic)?





















Specificity
Does your presentation give us all the specifics of size, cost, etc. to make for a professional and plausible proposal?










Visual Argument
Does your presentation give us compelling explanations of what your design says?  
Are you fully aware of how your design will be encountered?
Do you explain multiple claims that you feel your design makes  (You  want to go beyond over-used arguments such as: white = innocence, water =  life, etc. )
Are claims made by your design be clearly focused and sensitive to  your subject and audience?










Design meets site location
Have you done your best at showing us how your design will look at your proposed location?  
Have you considered all factors of how your design will change the site?










Model Execution
Did you present a realistic, detailed rendering of your design?  
Does it look professional?  
Is it detailed enough for us to really get a sense of what you’re proposing?  
Does it match what you’ve explained in your presentation?










Slideshow
Did your slide show work as a visual guide for your presentation?  
Were slides clear and easy to read?  
Did you avoid too much text on your slides?  
Did you utilize the tools at your disposal to make your presentation engaging and easy to follow?  
Did you provide visuals where useful?










Ratio
Did your presentation focus primarily on your visual argument/design?  (this should be the majority of your presentation--it shouldn’t be mostly exposition of subject)










Creativity
Did your choice in subject show creativity/timeliness?
Does your design add to the conversation regarding your topic?