ENG 3U0 Class - The Kite Runner
Understanding Context – Before Reading Research Project
The Task
In order to understand the novel we are about to read, it's important that you understand the story's social and historical background.
In groups of four or five, you will be assigned one of the following topics. Each topic includes sub-topics, and it is recommended that each individual in the group assume responsibility for one sub-topic.
The Topics
1. Khaled Hosseini
Author’s life and times
Influences & Impact
Writing Style & Genre
United Nations involvement
2. Ethnic Violence
Hazara ethnic identity
Pashtun ethnic identity
Cause/Reasons for Pashtun persecution of Hazara
Current situation
3. Soviet-Afghan War
Causes of Conflict
Soviet occupation
Afghani resistance
Soviet withdrawal
U.S. Influence
4. The Rise of the Taliban
Seizing power
Life under Taliban rule (esp. Treatment of women)
Afghani public opinion of the Taliban
U.S. intervention post 9/11
5. Afghanistan Today (Women and Education)
Women's rights - domestic role
Women’s rights - politics and the workforce
Education - access and barriers
Education - literacy and initiatives
6. Afghanistan Today (Religion and Culture)
Islam
Religion and freedom of religion
Afghani traditions
Kite flying
7. The Refugee Experience
Escaping Afghanistan (1979-1989)
Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan (1979-1989)
Afghan refugees in the U.S. (1979-1989)
Overcoming trauma
Returning to Afghanistan after 9/11
Research - The Library Catalogue
- Go to the BYOD link on the www.peelschoools.org website. At the very top of the page, you will be able to click on the "Library" link. From there, you can click on the green icon that says "Library Catalogue".
Once you are at the main page, enter the subject/keywords of the topic that you are searching for. Keep in mind that spelling is really important! If you spell the word that you are looking for incorrectly, the system will assume we do not have it. We may not have books for some of the topics that you are looking for, but this is a good place to start!
Boolean Search Operators - Making Your Database Search Easier
Doing Your Research - Finding and Using the Databases
Sometimes books on your topic can be hard to find because your subject area might be really new or really specific. This is where databases will become your best friend! There is a really easy and fast way to access the databases:
- Go to the BYOD link on the www.peelschoools.org website.
- At the very top of the page, you will be able to click on the "Library" link.
- From there, you will scroll down to the database section. Please select the "Intermediate/Secondary" option. Then you will have access to the databases.
Below are some examples of the databases that you will have access to. Please keep in mind that you cannot click the links below to get to the databases. You can click on the secondary eResources link below for a quick and easy way to access the databases.
- Encyclopedia Britannica Online - This is a great place to start to get general information about the topics that you are searching for. You will be surprised just how much you can find here. It also has great background information on Khaled Hosseini's life and will direct you to reputable websites containing his biography.
- Canada in Context - This database also contains a wealth of information from a Canadian perspective. The great thing about this database is that it is connected to Google drive and Google Classroom so you can download your information directly to your Google Drive and work on it from home.
- Canadian Points of View/Points of View - The great thing about this database is that it gives information from different perspectives. If you are unsure which perspective you agree with, information from both sides will be found in this database.
- Global Issues in Context - This database is excellent as it gives perspectives from all around the world, not just the Canadian point of view.
- History Reference Centre - This database is excellent for the historical context and situations in Afghanistan.
- Religion and Philosophy Collection - Will have information regarding Hazara and Pashtun ethnic identities.
- World History Collection - This database will give you an historical perspective of Afghanistan.
Note Taking in Gale Databases
Be wise....don't plagiarize!!
When to Cite - A Checklist
I now know when to cite my work.....but how do I do it?
MLA 8 - The New Way to Cite in MLA
Creating a Works Cited Page in MLA Format
MLA 8 was designed to simplify the process, helping writers accurately and intuitively cite sources more easily, requiring that every source type follow the same format. This means that books, websites, periodicals, videos, photographs, and all other types of sources now use this same standard format.
MLA 8 requires researchers to locate the same “core elements” from their sources and place them in a standard order in order to create their citations.
The “Core Elements” of an MLA 8 citation, along with their corresponding punctuation marks, include the following (in this order):
- Authors.
- Title of the source.
- Title of container,
- Other contributors,
- Version,
- Numbers,
- Publisher,
- Publication date,
- Location.
The appropriate punctuation mark will follow each core element, unless it is the final piece. In this case, the punctuation mark would be a period.
Example of an MLA Eighth Edition Works Cited Page:
Patterson, James, and Chris Grabenstein. House of Robots. Little, Brown and Co., 2014.
Patterson, James, and Chris Tebbetts. Middle School: Get Me Out of Here. Little, Brown and Co., 2012.
Sparks, Nicholas. Dear John. Grand Central, 2007, p. 82.
– – – . A Walk to Remember. Warner, 1999.
Twenty-Eight Days Later. Directed by Danny Boyle, produced by Alex Garland, Fox
Searchlight Pictures, 2002.