Strategy 8, RAFT

Level of familiarity: 4

Name: ____________________________ RAFT Assignment Sheet

The Great Depression Unit

Through our class readings and discussions, you have learned that there were many differing opinions and perspectives during the Great Depression.  To solidify your understandings of the specific perspectives you will compose a written piece in the format listed below.

Role	Audience	Format	Topic
Franklin Delano Roosevelt	U.S. Supreme Court	Appeal Speech	defending the New Deal
Unemployed citizen	Franklin Delano Roosevelt	Complaint	trouble finding work and food to survive
Farmer	Franklin Delano Roosevelt	Thank-you note	relief from loans from the Farm Credit Act (FCA)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt	the American People	Fire-side chat speech	explaining the proposed solution to restoring the country economically

Your Task: 

1. Select ONE R.A.F.T. row to complete.

1. Find information about your topic from class readings and handouts.

1. Select evidence to support your Role’s perspective (at least 3 key points).

1. Complete the Outline sheet (separate sheet).

1. Draft your assignment. 

1. Peer editing and teacher conference.

7. Create a Final piece.

Guidelines for your writing:

Paper should be 1-2 pages long, single-spaced. Use Times New Roman font.

Grade will be based on:

• Appropriate supporting evidence (at least three key points)
• Voice authenticity and tone
• Sentence fluency, conventions, and grammar

Example:

Role	Audience	Format	Topic
Franklin Delano Roosevelt	the American People	Fire-side chat speech	explaining the proposed solution to restoring the country economically

Date: Sunday, June 1933

As we set out to improve our country’s economic health, we must be mindful of all of our actions in government.  This being so, I have taken into account the most pertinent aspects of our current situtation: increasing American jobs and strengthening the American banking system.  Tonight’s broadcast will highlight what Congress and myself have negotiated to best improve our countries economic stability.  I propose a New Deal, a new way of thinking, a new way of government working for the American people.

First and foremost, the plight of the American people and lack of jobs will continue no longer.  The thirteen million Americans without work will have work provided by the federal government.  I have worked to set up programs that improve our country’s infastructure as well as provide relief for struggling individuals and families.  One such program is the Civil Works Administration (CWA), which will hire four million Americans to build roads and airports.  Another important project is the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which will conquer two issues at once: bringing electricity to communities along the Tennessee River Valley and providing jobs to the American people.  As I meet with families struggling to feed milk and bread to their children, I work more diligently to find jobs in any avenue available.  I will continue to work with Congress to find alternative resources for jobs.

Second, the situation with American farmers has been dismal.  Part of the New Deal will support farmer’s financial situation by supporting farmers to produce less goods, in order to decrease inflation and loss of earnings.  Farmers will be able to gain profit in comparision to the last decade.

As you go out these next few weeks, be mindful of the changes to your surroundings.  With regard to banks, only economically stable banks will be open for business.  You can feel confident that all your monies will be available when needed and insured federally up to $5,000.00.  There is no need to withdraw your funds because of fear.  Remember, as I stated previously “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  So go forth and remain calm.  Your money is safe in American banks.

The changes we are making are intended to stabilize and prevent another economi crisis.  Through the programs and stronger government role, the American way of life can and will be sustained.  We will again prosper as a nation, as individuals, and in the same spirit as we have always had.

Rubric:

Support for Topic (Content) _____x 3	Appropriate evidence used, quality details are used from class readings and give the reader important information that goes beyond the obvious or predictable.	Some appropriate evidence used, but some information is incorrect. Class readings are clearly used.	Little to no appropriate evidence is used. Writer did not use class readings or discussions in writing.	Virtually no evidence used or is completely off topic.
Voice Authenticity ______x 2	Tone is highly believable and appropriate for specific Role chosen. Writing reflects respect for Audience.	Tone is appropriate for specific Role chosen. Writing may or may not account for audience.	Tone is generic or not related to Role chosen. Writing does not reflect knowledge of audience.	Writing seems like it is not in the Role chosen. Audience is disregarded completely.
Sentence Fluency, Conventions, and Grammar _____x 1	Writing flows from one idea to the next, accurate Format used, accurate grammar and syntax make reading easy.	Writing skips few to no ideas; accurate Format is used, somewhat accurate grammar and syntax make reading relatively easy.	Writer jumps from one idea to the next, Format does not match assignment sheet, writing is difficult to understand based on grammar and syntax.	Writing is incoherent and extremely difficult to understand. Unclear what Format is used and grammar and syntax make the piece incomprehensible.

Total Points Possible 24