Working in GroupsA WebQuest to help you determine your

position on the statement, “Working as a member of a student group

project is helpful to my development in both the academic and business world”.

.Agree or disagree?

Introduction - ProIn today’s world, workers will need the ability to work on a team and collaborate within a group.

People increasingly work in places other thantheir offices—and on teams that draw expertise from virtually anywhere in the world.

Skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation (the four C’s) will become even more important to organizations in the future, according to a new survey conducted by American Management Association (AMA).

Introduction - Con

• In spite of this, issues arise when members of the group fail to get along and/or fail to add their fair share of the workload.

• Many students, especially high-achievers, often feel that they could have attained a higher mark had they worked alone.

Task• Write a “knockout paper” containing 5

paragraphs stating either position:

• Working as a member of a student group project is helpful to my development in both the academic and business world.

• Or –• Working as a member of a student group project

is not helpful to my development in both the academic and business world.

Process• What is a “knockout

paper”?• It is a 5-paragraph paper

where you choose one side and stick with it. Your position will be supported by text evidence.

• Use the outline format attached to this presentation for your draft.

Paragraph 1

• Your first paragraph should start with a great hook; something that is going to make the reader want to read more.

• It should have a thesis statement that tells what the topic of your essay is. The three reasons you picked to support your position should also be listed here.

Paragraphs 2,3 & 4

• Use paragraphs two, three, and four to explain your three reasons. Remember, you are writing to convince.

• Here’s where you deliver the 3 “knockout punches” for each paragraph! These are lines from the text that bring home your points in a straight forward fashion. Remember to use quotation marks and to cite where you are getting your ideas from.

• Personal experiences and details do wonders to demonstrate your point of view.

What’s a “knockout”• A knockout (also referred

to as a K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, martial arts, Karate and other sports involving striking.

• A full knockout is considered any legal strike or combination thereof that renders an opponent unable to continue fighting.

Paragraph 5

• Use your last paragraph to restate your thesis statement and your reasons, changing the words around so that you are not repeating yourself.

• Finish your paragraph with a great closing line.• The key is to be creative, don't repeat

yourself, write to convince and you can write a great knockout paper!

Resources - Pro

• http://talentmgt.com/articles/view/the_four_cs_critical_for_todays_workforce

• http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/23929/7-insights-collaboration-workplace

• http://www4.dcu.ie/studentlearning/group-work/unit1/index3.shtml

• http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/instructionalstrategies/groupprojects/benefits.html

Resources - Con

• http://www.cdtl.nus.edu.sg/success/sl41.htm

• http://www4.dcu.ie/studentlearning/group-work/unit1/index3.shtml

• http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/archive/cl1/cl/story/middlecc/TSCMD.htm

Conclusion• Congratulations on the completion of your

“knockout paper”!• The Rubric for grading will be the CCSS

Argumentative Writing Rubric for your Grade Level.