FS 102: Music & Comedy
Spring 2018
Final Projects: Choose a topic for research and subsequent presentation in two separate formats:
A) WITH A PARTNER, prepare an electronic slide presentation using PowerPoint, Prezi, etc. Alternating
points, you and your partner should share 7-8 minutes of total time to bring an informative presentation to
the class. Given the nature of the course, media samples may be an essential part of your presentation, but
should be short (2-3 minutes of total running time maximum), carefully chosen, and not counted against
the 7-8 minutes of speaking.
Topics should be related to the theme of “Music & Comedy” broadly speaking. Critiquing individual
artists, constructing new material, creating new parodies, or bringing material together under sub-themes
(political satire, social criticism, discipline specific topics, demographic interests, genre studies) are
appropriate choices. Feel free to run your topics past Dr. Niblock before digging into the specifics.
B) ON YOUR OWN, create a written summary that describes your final project topic, what you learned about
the subject matter, and how it relates to other content within the course or the objectives of this class. For
example, does it inform your understanding of a topical issue or the genres and styles we’ve discussed?
Did it require you to apply critical listening skills to an unfamiliar medium? You should comment on,
clarify, or expand the points made by your partner as well as your own points. While some of these
observations will surely have surfaced in the process of creating a collaborative presentation, it is your
responsibility to ensure that your paper reflects A COMPLETELY INDIVIDUAL EFFORT. Similarities
in construction, conclusions, or wording will be carefully scrutinized!
Project Presentations Tips:
Rubric: The project will be graded by the following criteria:
Content:
Is your presentation / paper informative?
Does your work reflect the use of credible, current sources?
Do you provide useful insight, annotation, or assessment?
Presentation:
Is your presentation well organized, fluid, and interesting?
Do you demonstrate clarity in your spoken and written words?
Have you carefully planned timing, transitions, and technology?
Do you maintain an appropriate level of professionalism?
Paper:
Does the paper read well with regard to grammar and overall construction?
Do you accurately summarize the findings discussed in your presentation?
Does the paper fill in gaps that might be difficult to present orally?
Tips:
Be sure every slide, diagram, illustration will be legible in the presentation space.
o No distracting backgrounds
o Clear, large fonts; maximize contrast
o Consider lighting
o Darks slides and light lettering don’t always work in bright space
o Crop / resize images
Don’t read your slides aloud.
o Construct engaging narrative; deliver it with extemporaneous warmth while looking at
your audience; use slides to illustrate or reinforce main points.
Don’t stare at screen. It is for your audience, not for you!
Use embedded audio and/or video clips.
When working with a partner, alternate speaking in smaller segments rather than simply
dividing the time in half. This interactive approach requires more diligent preparation, fosters
careful attention to timing and organization, and ultimately yields a more cohesive and
polished presentation – IF YOU REHEARSE.
REHEARSE!
Most people run OVER on time, be wary of this and write timings in your notes.
Get familiar with the classroom connections or computer.
Crop media examples to convey your point quickly.
Be prepared to move along if technology fails you.
Do not wait until the last possible moment to write your summary paper. Work at it while the
material is fresh in your mind. You can always revise it later.
