UNIT: Informational Retrieval - KAL

TITLE: Fighting for a Cause

RESOURCES: Sample press cuttings, leaflets etc.

TASK: You have seen a report on television or in a newspaper about people who you think get a raw deal from society. You are concerned that these people are often not able to speak up for themselves and decide to champion their cause.

Your task is to prepare a folder of action you take on their behalf over a period of time.

You need to "adopt" a specific fictitious character and decide the circumstances you want to help them change. E.g. a homeless teenager living rough, a petty criminal who habitually offends, someone who has a severe mental or physical disability, an elderly person in a highrise flat, a victim of repeated racial abuse. If you have your own idea, ask me first.

Include a wide range of material and variety of media. E.g. a collection of (fictitious) press cuttings or taped interviews; letters to councillors, members of parliament, care organisations or the press; a poster for a public meeting; background documentary evidence like rent or savings books; correspondence or notes of meetings with your adopted person; extracts from their diary, etc …

1. Choose a variety of these different writing techniques.
2. Make sure you are changing your writing, style for the different techniques. Eg. a diary entry will be personal while an interview will be formal.
3. Present your "facts" realistically and convincingly.
4. You need to draft everything in your book before redrafting it on to paper. Make sure everything is perfect before the final product is created.

1. Prepare a brief outline profile of your adopted character, their environment and circumstances.
2. Identify their likely feelings, emotions, needs and a choice of possible solutions.
3. Research the role of support organisation / agencies like Shelter Help the Aged, and names/official addresses of "official" people who might be involved.
4. Compile your case folder, setting a realistic timetable for completing each piece of work.

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