Accessing the Canterbury Tales Press Conference

A total of 5% of your grade comes from your participation in the Canterbury Tales press conference activity. Using the 5% scale (50 points = 100%, 45 points = 90%, etc.), I will award participation points for the one-day event as follows:

  0% (0 points):           Absence without notification
50% (25 points):         Absence with notification
70% (35 points):         Present, but in body only. No eye contact or engagement.
75% (37.5 points):      Present, but your body language and eyes show engagement.
80% (40 points):         You say something.
85% (42.5 points):      You say something useful or interesting or thoughtful.
90% (45 points):         You contribute more than once (usefully) or your participation 
                                     (or single contribution) is nicely theatrical.
95% (47.5 points):      Noteworthy contributor, several times.
100% (50 points):       Best in show (one person earns this score).

Note: There is no make-up for this exercise; if you are absent, you will receive either 0 or 25 points, depending on notification.

Ground rules for our press conference:

1. I will ask questions about medieval life, culture, and society (and about Chaucer's portraits). You respond as appropriate for your pilgrim. I may ask follow-up questions, depending on responses.

2. When you wish to answer, state your name and pilgrim (e.g., “I am Sara the Miller”)--at least until I can call on you by name and pilgrim type.

3. Use “I” language to answer the question: you don’t have to talk like the medieval pilgrim would have, but you should speak for the pilgrim.

4. Allow all pilgrim types a chance to answer, so you need not dominate--there will be enough time and plenty of questions to do justice to your research and pilgrim. Using tact to decide when and where to respond can enhance your final score.

5. You may respond to another pilgrim's comment or answer. I will act as moderator to ensure as much fairness in responses as possible.