Assignment 1 - Slang Word Research Visual

Slang Words Visual Presentation Name:_______________________________
Now that you have picked your slang word, let the fun begin! Your task is to trace your words origins as a
means of investigating language and culture. You will then showcase the word's literal meanings,
connotations, and related words graphically.

1. The Definition Research:

The following are good resources to use for researching your slang word of choice:
The Internet Slang Dictionary (www.noslang.com)
The Online Slang Dictionary (onlineslangdictionary.com)
The Oxford English Dictionary (available at our very own school library)
Etymology Online (www.etymonline.com/)

To successfully complete your research, you will need to document the following for your word:
1. Part(s) of speech
2. Definition of the word and all related denotations and words
3. A language tree outlining how the words meaning has evolved over time (this means you MUST have a beginning and an
end! Where did your word start? What did it mean? How did it change?)
4. Connotations of the word
5. Uses of the word in context and popular culture over time (this could include references on television, in songs or movies
and in print)
***For example, a student investigating the word crib would include all meanings, including Shakespeares original, the
synonym for plagiarize, the agricultural use, and the baby cot. They would also make reference to the MTV series, "Cribs".

6. The Visual:

The good news is that you have a multitude of options for your visual. A whole multitude, I say! Ok,
okyou at least several options. Here are some good resources to check out to give you some ideas:

Use the Visual Thesaurus as a model for creating a map or web of the words, meanings, or synonyms associated with
your word: www.visualthesaurus.com
Create a Ben Schott-style Op-Chart, like the ones on April Showers and love, of the word and its related meanings:
o www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/04/03/opinion/20110403_schott.html
o www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/02/14/opinion/14opchart.ready.html
Use Tagxedo, Wordle, or I.B.M.'s Many Eyes to create a word cloud or similar visualization:
o www.tagxedo.com
o www.wordle.net
o www-958.ibm.com/software/data/cognos/manyeyes/visualizations
Devise a visually interesting quiz, like the one you find here on spelling:
o www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/01/education/edlife/01Edlife_Spell.html
Storyboard or fully illustrate a comic strip or series of humorous images illustrating the term and its connotations,
inspired by the work of artist Christophe Neimann, like "I Lego N.Y."
o http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/i-lego-ny/

Rubric
Learning Targets/Criterion Assessed 0 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8
IB Written Task
#1
Criterion B:
Task and
Content
The work is
incomplete or is
not attempted
The task shows a
superficial
understanding of
the topic(s) or
text(s) to which it
refers
The content is
generally
inappropriate to
the task chosen
The task shows a
superficial
understanding of
the conventions of
the text type
chosen
The task shows a
mostly adequate
understanding of
the topic(s) or
text(s) to which it
refers
The content is
generally
appropriate to the
task chosen
The task shows an
adequate
understanding of
the conventions of
the text type
chosen
The task shows a
good
understanding of
the topic(s) or
text(s) to which it
refers
The content is
mostly
appropriate to the
task chosen
The task shows a
good
understanding of
the conventions of
the text type
chosen
The task shows an
excellent
understanding of
the topic(s) or
text(s) to which it
refers
The content is
consistently
appropriate to the
task chosen
The task shows an
excellent
understanding of
the conventions of
the text type
chosen
L.1 Demonstrate
command of the
conventions of standard
English grammar and
usage when writing or
speaking. (1,5)
Does not label
the part of
speech of slang
word used

Provides little or
no evidence of
correct word
usage
Identifies part of
speech, however
misuses or
mislabels

Provides
inconsistent
accuracy of word
usage
Correctly identify
the part of speech
in the primary
version of the
word
Provides example
of correct usage of
most version of
slang word.
Correctly identify
the part of speech
in every version of
the word

Provides example
of correct usage of
all version of slang
word.
Correctly identify
the part of speech
in every version of
the word and
identify the parts
of speech in your
contrived
sentence
L.5-Demonstrate
understanding of
figurative language,
word relationships, and
nuances in word
meanings. (2, 3,4)
Definitions are
incomplete or
incorrect.

Visual does not
trace history

Connotations
show little to no
consideration of
popular word
usage
Word is defined,
but not enough
definitions are
provided to show
language change

Visual attempts to
show history, but
is not effective, or
is missing key
elements of
words history

Connotations
show some
consideration of
popular word
usage
Define some (at
least 3) unique
denotations over
time

Visual adequately
demonstrates the
words history

Connotations
show many
considerations of
popular word
usage that trace
back to its origin
Define many
(more than 3)
unique
denotations that
shows
understanding of
all major versions
of word since its
origin.

Visual accurately
and effectively
demonstrates the
words history

Connotations
show insightful
considerations of
popular word
usage that trace
back to its origin
Definitions paint a
storied history of
the word change

Word tree paints
history through a
unique metaphor
that enhances the
understanding of
the words history

Connotations
show in depth and
comprehensive
considerations of
popular word
usage that trace
back to its origin

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Slang Words Visual Presentation Name:_______________________________

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