Introduction
Within this website, you will find the tools you need to review case studies of 4 teenage boys who committed crimes. It was up to the court to determine if the boys would be tried as adults or as juveniles. You will read about each of the boys and some additional information about the juvenile versus adult issue. When you are finished, you will decide which case study you want to address. You will use the persuasive appeals of logos, ethos, and pathos in order to support an argument about one of the juveniles profiled. Let's get started!
Task
This is an individual assignment. You have two class periods to complete it. (Monday and Friday) You will need to read through all of the material provided about the four boys who are profiled and their issues regarding being tried in the juvenile court system or being tried as an adult.
You need to provide one page of Cornell Notes which summarizes each boy's profile.
You will also read information that provides current statistics on juvenile crimes and the numbers of juveniles being sentenced as adults.
You need to provide two pages of Cornell Notes which summarizes the facts on this issue and the statistics supporting it.
After you read through all of the information, you need to pick one of the boys who is profiled. You need to take on either the position of the boy's defense attorney or the position of the prosecutor. You will write a letter from this viewpoint to the judge and present an argument.
If you pick the position of the boy's defense attorney, you will argue that the boy should be tried in juvenile court.
If you pick the position of the prosecutor, you will argue that the boy should be tried in adult court.
You can do this for any of the boys profiled, regardless of the actual outcome that is given in their profile.
In your letter to the judge, you need to identify which boy you chose and if you are his defense attorney or the prosecutor. You need to use all three persuasive appeals: ethos, logos, and pathos. After you use an appeal, you should indicate which appeal you used with a (E), (L) or (P). For example, if you cite a statistic, at the end of that sentence you should insert a (L). You should use all of the information you read about as support for your argument. Your letter should be at least 3 paragraphs long. Each paragraph should have at least 8 complete sentences. Grammar, spelling and writing conventions will be evaluated. The letter needs to be typed, double spaced, with 12 point Times New Roman font and 1 inch margins. It is due at the end of the second class period.
Process
The following steps should be taken in order to complete the Webquest and produce your letter:
1. Go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/juvenile/
2. Pick one of the boys and click on his picture. After you read his case, click on each of the links at the bottom of the page for the other boys' cases. You should read about Manny, Shawn, Marquese, and Jose. (One page of Cornell Notes should be focused on this step)
3. After you read about each of the boys, go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/juvenile/stats/kidslikeadults.html
Read all of the information on that page.
4. Then go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/juvenile/stats/basic.html
Read all of the information on that page.
5. Then go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/juvenile/stats/juvvsadult.html
Read all of the information on that page.
6. Then go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/juvenile/bench/race.html
Read all of the information on that page.
7. Then go to http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/juvenile/bench/different.html
Read all of the information on that page.
(Two pages of Cornell Notes should be focused on steps 3-7)
Once you complete all seven steps (with three pages of Cornell Notes), you are ready to write your letter. Remember, you are writing a letter to the judge in the boy's case either from the standpoint of the boy's defense attorney or the standpoint of the prosecutor representing the State of California. Use the information in the links provided as your evidence to help support your position.
If you write your letter from the viewpoint of the defense attorney, you want to argue that your client (whichever boy you choose) should be tried in juvenile court.
If you write your letter from the viewpoint of the prosecutor, you want to argue that the defendant (whichever boy you choose) should be tried in adult court.
Use all three persuasive appeals!
Evaluation
The project is worth 40 points using the following rubric and including partciaption and on task work. 
Conclusion
Congratulations! You've finished. By now you should have read through all of the provided links, taken notes, and completed your letter to the judge that presents an argument to try to persuade the judge to try the boy you chose in either juvenile court or adult court. You have shown that you are familiar with the persuasive appeals of logos, ethos, and pathos. Maybe you thought about becoming a lawyer! Be sure to turn in your letter and Cornell Notes to the tray on Friday.