Research Project:

Arthurian Legend

S. Garber

Gifted Sophomore English

Spring 2003

Goal:

Research a topic in relation to the medieval period – 1066-1485. Expand your knowledge about the Middle Ages and the Arthurian Legend.

Specific Requirements:

· You need to use at least five sources of information, and these must include at least three different type of research materials: books, articles from the vertical file, encyclopedias, internet. 

A good place to start is http://www.ramsdale.org/legend.htm

· Each source needs a bibliography card. Your bibliography cards will be turned in.

· You need to find at least 30 facts about your topic.  Each fact needs a note card. Those note cards will be turned in.

Citing Sources:

For each source you use, you will write a bibliography card. After you compile your information, you will use the bibliography cards to write a works cited page.  For each fact that you gather, you will write a note card.   The information on these cards will assist you with documenting your research.

Final Products:

· You will create a formal sentence outline of the information on your topic. You will have two days in the computer lab to type up your outline and bibliography.

· You will present a summary of your information to the class in a three to five minute formal oral presentation. Notecards or a copy of your outline may be used during your presentation, but you should know the information well. Include a visual aid to help your audience remember your topic The visual aid can be an informational poster or Power Point presentation, but it does not have to be. Use your imagination—wanted posters, costumes, photo collages, skits, etc. make memorable presentations.

· You will also turn in your bibliography and note cards from your research.

Grading: Wise use of library and lab time 5 points

Five sources (variety and format) 5 points

Note cards (content and format) 15 points

Source cards (format) 10 points

Sentence outline (evidence of research, organization, format) 40 points

Presentation (delivery – poise, eye contact, clarity, volume) 10 points

Visual Aid (creativity, effort, relation to topic) 15 points

Total = 100 points

Topics: For each topic, tell who the character is (background, description, and fate) or what the object or place is; the importance (i.e. actions or contribution) of the character, object or place in Arthurian Legend; variations of this character, object or place in the legends; and whether or not there is any factual/historical evidence that this person, object, or place ever existed outside the legends.

Objects: Grail

Sword in the Stone and/or Excalibur

Round Table

Characters: Uther

Igraine

Arthur

Guinevere

Vivien (Nimue)

Morgaine (Morgan le Fay)

Morgause

Gawaine

Balin and Balan

Galahad

Lancelot

Perceval

Merlin

Tristan

Yvain/Ywain

Mordred

Places: Camelot

Tintagel

Avalon

General Topics: Jousting (equipment, techniques, jargon)/Tournaments of Knights

The Medieval Wheel of Fortune

Medieval Castles (design, parts, defending and sieging, etc.)

Feudalism

Courtly Love

Role of women

Entertainment

Bards, storytellers, minstrels

Falconry and other sports