Part 2: The Things They Carried Practice Individual Oral Presentation (HL)
***Note: the individual oral presentation is not a Part 2 assessment; it is a Part 4 assessment.
You will deliver a creative individual oral presentation using a pastiche you write based on the first chapter of the
book The Things They Carried (“The Things They Carried”). The steps are below.
1. Read “The Things They Carried” in the book The Things They Carried.
2. Write a creative piece that mimics O’Brien’s style, structure, and content. The writing should be between
500-1,000 words. It is not directly graded. While your goal should be to demonstrate your
understanding of O’Brien’s writing style through your own writing, be creative in the content with which
you fill your paper. Make convincing and creative imaginative leaps that extend aspects of the original
text. Recognizable references, stylistic, and/or structure choices should be made, as well as echoes (of
actual or similar words, phrases, images, or statements from the text) woven into the text, to show the
roots/basis of the interpretation. For example, while O’Brien writes about the physical and emotional
“things” that the American soldiers of the Vietnam War carried and thus describes what life was like for
them, you might write about the physical and emotional things that IB students carry at BWYA, and thus
describe what life is like for them.
3. Prepare a presentation about the creative piece you have just written. The presentation should be
organized with a structure similar to a thesis-driven essay. Some items you will want to include in the
presentation:
a. A short introduction outlining the presentation’s direction and main points.
b. Explanations about the most important decisions made in producing the creative piece,
including stylistic choices (diction, images, description, structure, tone).
c. Explanations showing how every decision in your creative writing has been inspired/influenced
by “The Things They Carried,” if something different to O’Brien’s text has been consciously
done; prove the connections between the day to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding
of the original text.
d. Evidence/References to your work and “The Things They Carried” to support the explanations
about your decisions.
4. Deliver the presentation to the class on ______________. Names will be randomly drawn on the first of
the two days, so you must be ready to present then. Do not spend time reading your creative piece during
the presentation (except in extracts that support your presentation), but bring copies for the class to have
a look at. The presentation must not exceed eight minutes. Your presentation will be graded on all three
Individual Oral Presentation criteria; please bring this rubric to class on the day(s) of the presentation.
Presentation tips:
• The presentation should be done in a formal, academic manner; however, use of first-person pronouns is
acceptable, as you will be discussing your own work in addition to O’Brien’s.
• Do not bring a script to read to the class; use notes or prompt cards, but realize that a presentation is you
talking to your audience, not reading a prepared speech.
• Speak clearly, audibly, and at a comfortable pace. Your voice should pause, rise, fall, and emphasize –
modulate your voice.
• Be certain you can pronounce all unfamiliar words and that you know their meaning/significance.
• Stand confidently and use appropriately body language and gestures.
• Deliver your presentation in an engaging and lively – yet professional – manner.
Part 4: Individual Oral Presentation – HL
