PROJECT: RESEARCH ON CHINESE AMERICAN LIFE OBJECTIVES Explore themes in literary selections. Formulate open-ended research questions to address topic. Paraphrase, summarize, quote, and accurately cite all researched information according to standard format. Synthesize information from multiple sources. Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically. Suggested Materials: Note cards, visual aids, recordings, computer, overhead projector Instruction The cultural background for the short story “Two Kinds” is a Chinese American community in California. According to the story, the narrator’s mother emigrated from China in 1949, and although the narrator was born in the United States, her life in America is impacted by her Chinese heritage. For this project, you will create an oral presentation on Chinese American life. In order to complete the presentation, you must research a topic, person, event, or theme important to Chinese American life. Sample Project Ideas Authors of Chinese descent have been writing and publishing work in English in the United States since the early 1900s. Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club was published almost one hundred years after Sui Sin Far, an early Chinese American author published the novel Mrs. Spring Fragrance in 1912. You might explore a research question about a Chinese-American author, or even ask a question about themes in Chinese American writing. The American transcontinental railway was built in large part by of Chinese labor. Chinese immigrant workers received just $26-$35 a month for a twelve hour day, six days per week and had to provide their own food and tents, whereas American workers received about $35 a month and were furnished with food and shelter. You might explore a research question to discover why the Chinese workers were paid less than American workers, or why many Chinese workers returned to China instead of staying in America. Some of the early Chinese communities in America had newspapers. Your research might explore a question about who published or who read the Chinese-language newspapers. Other Sample Topics: Chinese American artists Chinese American politicians Chinese American business Chinese American crime Chinese immigration Chinese neighborhoods Chinese food in America Chinese language in America Stereotypes of Chinese people in America Immigration laws in America Directions: Presentation Format: Oral presentation Time Limit: 3-5 minutes Visual Aids: 3-5 visual aids (photographs, slides, video, music, other images per teacher approval) To meet the minimum requirements for this project you must: Choose a topic related to Chinese American life Construct a research question Create a thesis/argument out of the research question Express a clear thesis Speak for 3-5 minutes Cite five different sources using the MLA documentation style Directly quote from 5 sources Paraphrase 4 sources Effectively use 3 visual aids Refer to note cards without reading from them Click here to view the MLA Style Guide. To view a rubric for this assignment, click here.