Description
Evaluating a Podcast
Instructions:
Your first major evaluation task for our Listening/Podcast unit requires you to provide a critical comparison of two different podcasts. Your comparison must compare the following:
The first episode of either Serial or Someone Knows Something
The first episode of a brand new podcast of your choosing
This podcast must have been released within the past 3 months
You should be discussing which traits are used more effectively, and why these traits are more effective (what impact do they have on the listener?)
You will be answering the question:
Which podcast is better?
You must create a thesis that clearly answers this question
You must evaluate which specific traits are used more effectively, and what impact they have on the listener.
Steps:
Refer back to the Elements of a Podcast note. This will be your best friend in the process.
Re-listen to the first episode of either Serial or Someone Knows Something. As you listen, take note of the criteria used and complete the first half of the organizer. You may have to listen a couple of times, or you may have to pause and take notes as you go.
Listen to the first episode of the new podcast you have selected for comparison. As you listen, take note of the criteria used and complete the second half of the organizer. You may have to listen a couple of times, or you may have to pause and take notes as you go. You are ONLY comparing the FIRST episode of each podcast series.
Decide how you will organize the paragraphs in your written piece so that the structure is effective and suits your purpose.
Review the Compare & Contrast Structure notes you made last week, or review this Compare & Contrast Basic Overview document. Decide if you will use the Block method or the Point by Point method for your essay.
Decide how many criteria you will evaluate/compare; you need a minimum of three.
Decide which pieces of specific evidence you will use to support this comparison. Determine if you need to find additional quotes or examples.
You will also need to add an introduction and a conclusion to your essay. Be sure to incorporate the guidelines provided in this lesson
Write your essay and submit to the Evaluating Podcasts Dropbox. Be sure to read through the Comparing Podcasts Essay Checklist to make sure your ideas, writing and the use of conventions adhere to the assignment details. Also, ensure you have reviewed THIS RUBRIC to make sure you have met all of the expectations prior to submission.
Requirements:
Must be written in multiple paragraph form with an introductory and concluding paragraph
Make sure your body paragraphs begin with a clear topic sentence
You must use direct quotations from the podcast as your evidence (for every point).
Your thesis must provide an overall statement of which podcast is more effective.
Maximum 1500 words
This should be at least four pages double spaced, 12 pt. Font, using MLA format for citations – See the key resources from the first week below ⇩
Formal Writing Tips:
Don’t use “I” or personal pronouns
Don’t use contractions
Avoid using slang and conversational language
MLA Style & Plagiarism
Reacquaint yourself with MLA procedures and process.
Read through this slideshow, and check out the additional note on MLA guidelines, and the sample Works Cited page.
It is an expectation that you use this referencing format for future assignments and that you give credit to the sources you use. If there is anything you are unsure about, please ask.
Plagiarism is a serious offense. It is also very easy to do – for all of us.
Here is a video about what it is, some common examples and how to avoid it. It is a worthwhile 11 minutes of your life. Nature of Writing Plagiarism Video. There is a text version under the video if you prefer.
All of your work in this course will automatically be vetted through “Turnitin.” This website will scour every word of your submission for phrases and quotes from other sources. It will highlight these sections and identify the original source. This original source could be another student, your own work from a previous class, anything and everything published online and all material published in paper format. DON’T USE AI LIKE CHAT GPT
(Yes, you can plagiarize yourself! All of your work must be original to this course.
No recycling. No sharing!)
Make sure you are quoting and referencing original sources. This is a critical skill for you to master.
I PROVIDED A ORGANIZER I DID FOR A PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENT. I AM GIVING IT TO YOU FOR AN IDEA ON HOW AN ORGANIZER SHOULD LOOK IF YOU NEED TO DO IT FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. THE ORGANIZER I USED WAS A TEMPLATE GIVEN TO ME BY TEACHER. I DO THINK THE TEACHER NEEDS IT. EACH GOOGLE DOC LINK YOU OPEN ON ANY OF THE PDF FILES, PLEASE MAKE A COPY AND IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT. LOOK THROUGH ALL FILES, EMDEDDED LINKS, AND VIDEOS AS THIS WILL TELL YOU HOW TO WRITE THE ESSAY. YOU NEED TO LOOK THROUGH THEM AS THIS IS HOW THE TEACHER EXPECTS THE ESSAYS TO BE WRITTEN. I HAVE GOT ENGLISH HELP FROM STUDYPOOL BEFORE AND HAVE SOMETIMES GOTTEN A BAD MARK AS THE STRUCTURE, WRITING STYLE ETC WERE NOT FOLLOWED.
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Comparing Podcast Essay Checklist:
Please use the following checklist to ensure you are meeting the criteria for the assignment, prior to submitting.
Criteria
Developing and Organizing Content
(Organizer)
● generate, expand, explore, and
focus ideas for potential writing
tasks
●
locate and select information to
fully and effectively support ideas
for writing
●
determine whether the ideas and
information gathered are accurate
and complete, interesting, and
effectively meet the requirements
of the writing task
Constructing Meaning (Content of
Writing)
● analyse oral texts, focusing on the
ways in which they communicate
information, ideas, and influence
the listener’s response
● evaluate the effectiveness of a
wide variety of presentation
strategies used in oral texts
In this task, I can:
❏ Find examples of a variety of podcast
elements
❏ Indicate which examples and elements
I am going to use in my final product
❏ Find accurate examples that show
understanding of the elements of a
podcast
❏ Include direct quotations as evidence
of each element
❏ Timestamp quotations as a way to
accurately record my evidence
❏ Clearly indicate which examples are
positive and which are negative
❏ Choose criteria and examples for my
final written product that best support
my overall opinion on the podcast
❏ Explain, in paragraph form, my
process of finding and narrowing down
my ideas
❏ Constructs a thoughtful and insightful
thesis
❏ Develops points that are relevant and
distinct
❏ Provide clear, direct examples of
various elements of a podcast
❏ Explain why those examples are
effective or ineffective
❏ Explain how the elements engage an
audience
Using Knowledge of Form, Style, and
Conventions
● proper use of paragraph structure
and overall comparative
organization
● establishes a formal voice
● effective use of conventions
● write complete sentences that
communicate clearly, incorporate
transitions and vary sentence type,
structure, length
❏ Write using a comparative/contrast
structural pattern
❏ Organize my ideas into paragraphs
❏ Use paragraph structure (topic and
concluding sentences, pointproof-comment)
❏ Write in a formal tone and voice,
without first-person pronouns, slang,
and other informal language
❏ Edit my writing for errors in
conventions
❏ Write different types of sentences to
clearly express my ideas
❏ Proper use of MLA formatting
MODULE #3: Comparing Podcasts Evaluations
MODULES LEARNING GOALS
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Demonstrate an understanding of the components that make up a
podcast
Explain how podcast elements are used to engage an audience
Demonstrate proper written communication skills
Clear selection of evidence to support ideas
Thoughtful and detailed explanation of the effect/ impact of
evidence/proof
Proper use of comparative structure
MODULE TASKS:
1.
Complete the lesson on Thesis Writing. Understanding thesis
writing is essential to the success of your essay and an important
part of how you will be evaluated!
2. Watch this lesson on paragraph structure to help you in the essay
writing process!
3. Read through these guidelines on integrating quotations.
4. Read through the Comparing Podcasts Evaluation expectations and steps,
and work your way through the assignment. Once you have finished your
planning organizer, and written piece, refer to the essay checklist and
assignment rubric to ensure that you have met all of the necessary
expectations. Your rough copy must be submitted to the Comparing
Podcasts Evaluation dropbox.
5. For reference, be sure to use the Elements of a Podcast note, as this
will help you through the process. As you listen to each of your podcasts, you
will also need to complete the planning Organizer. This is part of the
planning process and will be evaluated as well, so make sure you complete it
and submit it to the Comparing Podcasts Evaluation dropbox (access from
assessments section or in Newsfeed).
MODULE #4: Editing & The Revision Process
MODULES LEARNING GOALS
● Learn and develop strategies for editing and revision
● Cultivate self and peer evaluation skills
● Reflect critically on your own writing
Now that you have written your Comparing Podcasts Evaluation, it is time to focus on the
editing and revision process. This is your opportunity to improve your submission before
the final copy is submitted. Your final podcast submission must include your draft work,
your self and peer edits, and your final copy.
PSSSSST! You should have a 24 hour break from finishing the first draft before
you move into revision or editing.
Time for the Sober Second Look: Revision and Editing
Revision and editing are two very different skills. Many writers dislike these
activities, but every writer understands that their work is better for every second
spent on these stages. Revision is focused on the CONTENT of what you say and
how you develop, organize and support your ideas. Editing is focused on the
MECHANICS of the writing. Here is a very simple graphic to explain:
MODULE TASKS:
1.
Read through and review the revision and editing resources to highlight some key
considerations you should make when editing your own essay as well as your peer’s
essay. Your learning will focus on the following:
●
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Revision: staying on track, explaining ideas, use of diction, organization of
ideas
Editing: quotation punctuation, clear sentences, use of verbs & nouns,
paragraph structure
Make sure you are integrating quotations properly!
2. Swap essays with one of your course buddies to complete the peer editing process.
Share your written work via Google Document, so that your partner can use the
highlight and comment feature to provide feedback. As you read your partner’s
work, you should be considering the editing and revision material from above. Both
you and your partner must complete the Peer Evaluation Checklist, which will be
submitted to the Comparing Podcasts Final Submission Dropbox. Once your
partner has provided you with feedback, make the necessary changes.
3. Read through your written piece with a fresh set of eyes (after you haven’t been
staring at it over and over). Complete the Self Evaluation Form and related tasks.
4. Review the information about Plagiarism and MLA Style to ensure you have
followed the proper guidelines. Proper quoting and referencing must be
provided for all original sources.
●
●
●
Read through this slideshow, and check out the additional note on MLA guidelines, and the sample
Works Cited page.
Need more? Check out this video (Nature of Writing Plagiarism Video) of common plagiarism
errors.
All of your work in this course will automatically be vetted through “Turnitin”. This website will
scour every word of your submission for phrases and quotes from other sources. It will highlight
these sections and identify the original source (another student’s work, your own work from a
previous class, anything and everything published online & all material published in paper format).
(Yes, you can plagiarize yourself! All of your work must be original to this course. No recycling!)
5. Once you have finished the editing process, submit the following to the Comparing
Podcasts Final Submission Dropbox:
1. Comparing Podcasts Organizer (yes, again)
2. Rough Copy of Essay
3. Peer Editing Checklist
4. Self Evaluation Form
5. Final Good Copy of Comparing Podcasts Evaluation
Deconstructing a Text
https://www.radiolab.org/podcast/little-black-holes-everywhere
STEP
Identify & explain the text’s
MAIN IDEAS and
SUPPORTING
DETAILS.
EXAMPLE/OBSERVATIONS
1. The Tunguska Event:
● An explosion
went off in
Siberia 1908.
● Lack of proof
of what
caused the
explosion.
● A number of
scientific
ideas.
● Two possible
explanations
are an
explosion on
natural gas or
and asteroid
hitting the
Earth.
● The podcast
states: “From
oral histories
gathered years
later, people
reported
looking up and
seeing this
thing rocketing
towards Earth,
faster than a
bullet. It
quickly grows
into a giant
ball of fire,
dragging
behind it this
tail of blue and
white light.”
● Alternative
Theory
PURPOSE
●
●
●
●
●
An Overview
of the
Tunguska
Event: This
podcast talks
about the
historical event
of an
explosion in
Siberia in
1908.
Lack of Proof:
The mystery of
the event and
the ongoing
debate have
led to the
development
of many
theories.
Scientific
Ideas: The
podcast talks
about different
scientific ideas
that try to
explain what
happened in
Tunguska.
It could be
caused by
either an
explosion in
natural gas or
an asteroid
hitting Earth.
The podcast
gives a full
account of
what
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
involving Black
Holes:
Matt O’Dowd’s
idea says that
the Tunguska
Event may
have been
caused by
primordial
black hole that
went through
Earth.
Describes the
steps and
evidence that
supports this
idea.
The podcast
states: “Now
so these tiny
little black
holes are
special black
holes because
typically, a
black hole gets
made after a
star explodes.”
Hawking’s
Radiation:
Stephen
Hawking says
the black holes
send out
particles that
carry
information
about what’s
inside.
A theory that
explains how
matter
vanishes into
black holes.
Hawking’s
theory, which
●
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happened,
which makes
the scientific
talk more
interesting and
relatable.
A Brief Look at
Podcast
Theory
Gives the
reasoning and
evidence
behind the
other
explanation.
Helps people
think critically
about and
compare
different
theories.
Shows how
primordial
black holes
are different
from other
black holes.
Gives
background
information to
help us
understand
possible
events like the
explosion at
Tunguska.
Hawking’s
Idea About
Black Holes
People usually
think of black
holes as
places where
nothing can
escape.
Hawking’s
●
is now called
Hawking
radiation, is
backed by
math.
The podcast
states: “And
then Stephen
Hawking came
along and
proposed a
solution, which
is that even if
we can’t see
what’s
happening
inside of a
black hole, the
way that
matter works
is that, you
know,
occasionally
particles are
just shot out of
things into the
universe,
right? A
particle could
come off of
you, a particle
could come off
a chair,
particle could
be spit out of a
black hole.
And so he
just—he came
up with this,
like, idea
which we now
call Hawking
radiation,
that—that is
supported by
math, which is
●
●
theory
challenges this
idea and
explains how
matter
disappears
into black
holes,
answering the
confusing
question of
what happens
to matter when
it falls into a
black hole.
Hawking’s
theory, which
is now called
Hawking
radiation, is
backed by
careful
mathematical
calculations,
which shows
that it is a valid
scientific
theory.
According to
the theory,
matter works
by sometimes
shooting
particles out of
things and into
the universe.
Math supports
this idea. This
explanation
helps people
understand the
idea and what
it means, even
if they don’t
fully
a statement I
don’t fully
understand.”
understand the
math behind it.
Chunk out/break up the text into
its ORGANIZATION
●
●
●
Note shifts in
arguments/main point
Identify major turning
points in the plot
Identify and explain the
effect of any internal
strategies
Identify the TONE of
VOICE
Tone of Voice:
● Informative:
○ “So the year is
1908. It is
June. It is a
bright, sunny
morning. And
in this remote
part of Russia,
it’s mostly
forest, swamp,
bugs,
reindeer.”
○ “And today,
this is still
considered the
largest impact
event in
recorded
human
history.”
○ “So a bunch of
scientists go
plunging into
the forest to
try and figure
out what the
● Informative: Gives
factual information
about the Tunguska
Event, educating
listeners and setting
the scene.
● Inquistive: Asks
questions and shows
interest in the
Tunguska Event,
which promotes
critical thinking.
● Amused: Adds
humour and levity to
the conversation,
making it more fun.
● Surprised: Shows
shock at the
interesting facts and
theories about the
Tunguska Event,
highlighting the
mystery and wonder
of the subject.
○
heck just
happened.”
● Inquisitive:
○ “Well, where
do you want to
start?”
○ “And I don’t
know, have
either of you
heard of this
before. It’s
called the
Tusguska
event?”
○ “So there’s a
something
that, like, hit
us.”
● Amused:
○ “And this
Radiolab,
LULU: And
today we have
two very
different
stories two
very different
reporters-one
of whom is
you, Molly.
Molly:
[laughs]
Yeah.”
○ “LULU:
[laughs]
Okay.”
○ “LULU:
[Laughs]
Okay. Really?”
● Surprised:
○ “MOLLY:
Huh. Wow!”
○ “LULU:
Whoa!”
○ “LULU:
Weird!”
Identify any literary and
RHETORICAL
DEVICES, and explain their
significance.
● Allusion: The
Tunguska Event is
based on a true story
that took place in
Siberia in 1908. This
gives the story more
background and
depth.
● Analogies: It is said
that the event is like
an atomic bomb going
off, which helps
people understand.
● Repetition: The phrase
“scientists puzzled
over”, makes it clear
that scientists are
looking into it and that
they don’t know about
it.
● Rhetorical Question:
People think about the
story and become
more interested in it
when they ask, “What
could have caused
such destruction?”
● Allusion: This links
the conversation to a
historical event, which
gives it more depth
and understanding.
● Analogies: compares
it to an atomic bomb
to show how big it is.
● Repetition: Brings
attention to the
ongoing mystery and
intrigue surrounding
the event, which
builds suspense and
interest.
● Rhetorical Question:
It keeps people
interested by getting
them to think about
possible explanations
and getting them
involved in exploring
theories.
This makes them want
to know more.
Take notes on sentence fluency
and SENTENCE
STRUCTURES
Think about DICTION
Identify and explain prominent
THEMES
Deconstructing a Text
STEP
Identify & explain the text’s
MAIN IDEAS and
SUPPORTING
DETAILS.
Chunk out/break up the
text into its
ORGANIZATION
●
●
●
Note shifts in
arguments/main
point
Identify major
turning points in the
plot
Identify and explain
the effect of any
internal strategies
Identify the TONE of
VOICE
Identify any literary and
RHETORICAL
DEVICES, and explain
their significance.
Take notes on sentence
fluency and SENTENCE
STRUCTURES
Think about DICTION
EXAMPLE/OBSERVATIONS
PURPOSE
Identify and explain
prominent THEMES
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