So now we're a judge... how do we do this?
- Remember that there is no "correct" verdict. You are not being graded on what decision you make or whether you support the defendant or plaintiff. Instead, you are being evaluated on Participation, Completion, Support, and Clarity. Takes whatever position you can support best using the resources you were provided. As a judge, you must make controversial decisions, but as long as you can support and rationalize those decisions, there is no "correct" or "incorrect" judgements.
- Look at resources thoroughly, and take lots of notes! When you go to write your verdict, you use these notes to support your thinking, and having detailed notes will help give you extra support. You will also save time if you do not have to repeatedly revisit the resources themselves.
- If you are having trouble reaching a decision, before you write your final verdict, consider making a list of reasons to support either before you start. Make a column for each, and fill out reasons you came up with from your resources. What were problems the victims faced because of the paparazzi, and how might stronger laws help them? In the other columns, write down rights of the paparazzi and reasons it might not be a good idea to restrict the freedoms of the press. Shape your verdict around which ever column you see has more support.
- Avoid your opinion! A judge must be unbiased, and so you must use support from the "Resources" tab to weigh both arguments, and shape your verdict around this evidence. A judge must lost their personal opinion, and instead aim to make judgements that are legal and fair.
- Proofread your verdict for clarity after you write it. Make sure arguments make sense and are supported, and add extra support in areas where your argument is weak.
What are we going to be graded on?
This assignment is worth a total of 50 points, split into two parts.
Part I: The Resources (20 points)
Participation: A major part of the task is looking through resources, taking notes, and using these notes to support your assignment, and a big part of your final grade will be based on how thoroughly you took notes on the resource. The grade for this is determined by judging if the student took notes on two resources in each category (as directed), the quantity of their notes, and if their notes managed to capture the main points of the article or video.
Part II: The Verdict (30 points)
Completion (10 points): This evaluates if all requirements of the prompt were met. Was the verdict written from the position of the judge? Did it take a position? Was the position defended to both the plaintiff and the defendant?
Support (10 points): In order to create a strong argument and show that resources were considered when coming to the final verdict, students must use the articles and videos provided in the "Resources" section to support their decision.
Clarity (10 points): This evaluates whether the verdict makes logical connections and develops its argument in a clear and rational way.
Part I: The Resources (20 points)
Participation: A major part of the task is looking through resources, taking notes, and using these notes to support your assignment, and a big part of your final grade will be based on how thoroughly you took notes on the resource. The grade for this is determined by judging if the student took notes on two resources in each category (as directed), the quantity of their notes, and if their notes managed to capture the main points of the article or video.
Part II: The Verdict (30 points)
Completion (10 points): This evaluates if all requirements of the prompt were met. Was the verdict written from the position of the judge? Did it take a position? Was the position defended to both the plaintiff and the defendant?
Support (10 points): In order to create a strong argument and show that resources were considered when coming to the final verdict, students must use the articles and videos provided in the "Resources" section to support their decision.
Clarity (10 points): This evaluates whether the verdict makes logical connections and develops its argument in a clear and rational way.