Project Blueprint Document Legacy Leaders
Project Blueprint & Rubric
9th Grade ELA
Black History Month
The Mission
In honor of Black History Month, you will research an iconic Black figure who has shaped history, culture, or science. Your goal isn't just to report facts; it is to persuade your audience that this individual's legacy is essential to understanding our world today.
Objective: Master persuasive delivery and evidence-based storytelling.
Submission Specs
Format: 5-Slide PresentationUpload: Canvas (PDF or .pptx)Delivery: 3-Minute Live Presentation
The 5-Slide Roadmap
1
The Hook & Identity
Captivate us. State your figure's name and your primary persuasive claim (thesis).
2
The Spark of Resistance/Creation
What obstacle did they face? What was the moment they decided to change the status quo?
3
The Turning Point
Focus on their most significant achievement. Use evidence to show its magnitude.
4
The Ripples of Influence
PERSUASIVE CORE: Why does this person matter right now ? How is the world different because of them?
5
The Legacy Call to Action
Summarize your claim and list at least two credible sources in MLA format.
Success Criteria
Category Exemplary (4) Proficient (3) Emerging (2) Persuasive Argument Thesis is bold and consistently supported by evidence. Thesis is clear; most evidence supports the claim. Thesis is vague or informative rather than persuasive. Visual Design Professional; high-quality images; minimal text; high impact. Clean layout; images relate to content; readable text. Cluttered; low-quality images or too much bulleted text. Oral Delivery Confident eye contact; vocal variety; uses slides as support. Good eye contact; steady pace; reads occasionally from slides. Minimal eye contact; monotone; reads directly from slides. Research Quality Sources are high-quality/academic; cited perfectly in MLA. Credible sources used; minor errors in MLA formatting. Sources are unreliable; missing citations or bibliography.
Self-Check Checklist
Do my slides have less than 30 words each?
Is my image quality clear (not pixelated)?
Did I practice my 3-minute timing?
Is my bibliography the last slide?
Legacy Slides Presentation Legacy Leaders
The Power of Persuasion
"History is not a burden on the memory, but an illumination of the soul." — Lord Acton
The Mission
You aren't just reporting history. You are arguing why a specific Black figure's legacy is essential to our modern world.
5 Powerful Slides
3 Minutes to Persuade
Key Questions
01 What was their "Turning Point"?
02 How did they break the mold?
03 Why do we need their story today?
Your Rhetorical Toolkit
Ethos
Credibility
Use credible sources and quotes to build trust with your audience.
Pathos
Emotion
Tell stories that make us feel the weight of their struggle and triumph.
Logos
Logic
Present clear facts and statistics to prove the impact of their legacy.
Slide Anatomy
Rule #1: Visuals > Text
Never read your slides. Your slides should support what you say, not repeat it.
Rule #2: High Contrast
Keep text clear and readable against the background.
Example Slide Layout
[Powerful Image]
Your 5-Slide Roadmap
1
The Hook
Thesis & Identity
2
The Spark
The Problem/Obstacle
3
The Point
Main Achievement
4
The Ripples
Modern Impact
5
Legacy
MLA Bibliography
Ready to find your leader?
Research Roadmap Organizer Research Roadmap
Legacy Leaders Project
Name: ________________________________
Date: _________________________________
Phase 1: Figure Selection
Iconic Figure:
Preliminary Thesis (Your Persuasive Claim):
Ex: "[Figure Name] is not just a scientist; their discovery of [X] fundamentally altered how we [Y] today."
Brainstorming Starters
Bayard Rustin (Civil Rights/LGBTQ+ Advocate)
Katherine Johnson (NASA Mathematician)
James Baldwin (Author/Social Critic)
Alice Ball (Chemist/Leprosy Cure)
Gordon Parks (Photographer/Director)
Phase 2: Slide Storyboarding
Slide 1: THE HOOK
How will you grab attention? A quote? A surprising fact?
Slide 2: THE SPARK
What was the central conflict or obstacle they overcame?
Slide 3: THE POINT
One major achievement with specific evidence/dates.
Slide 4: THE RIPPLES
Why does this matter in 2026? Connect their work to today.
Evidence & Authority
Source #1 (Credible Website or Book)
MLA Format Required
MLA Citation:
Key Fact or Quote to Persuade:
Source #2 (Credible Website or Database)
MLA Format Required
MLA Citation:
Key Fact or Quote to Persuade:
Rhetorical Strategy Check
How will you use the three pillars in your 3-minute presentation?
Ethos (Credibility)
Pathos (Emotion)
Logos (Logic)
Presentation Scorecard Resource Presentation Scorecard
Legacy Leaders Project
Total Points
/ 20
Speaker Name
________________________________________________
Figure Researched
________________________________________________
1. Persuasive Claim
Clear thesis? Focus on legacy rather than just biography?
1 (Weak)
2 (Fair)
3 (Good)
4 (Strong)
2. Use of Evidence
Specific dates, facts, or quotes used to support the claim?
1
2
3
4
3. Oral Delivery
Eye contact, volume, pacing, and limited reading of slides.
1
2
3
4
4. Visual Impact
5-slide count, high-quality images, clean design.
1
2
3
4
5. Timing (3 Mins)
Effective use of time; not rushed, not overly long.
1
2
3
4
Teacher Observations
Strengths (Glows)
Areas for Growth (Grows)
Target: 3 minutes per student + 1 minute for Q&A. Use this sheet for rapid grading during delivery.
