My Own Place (Leaving Cert LCVP): Revision Notes
My Own Place
The My Own Place portfolio item is a researched writing project that focuses on examining your local area or community in detail. This comprehensive study helps you develop strong research abilities whilst exploring the various factors that shape where you live.
This project combines academic research with personal connection to your community, making it both educational and meaningful. It's designed to help you see your local area through a researcher's lens while developing valuable analytical skills.
Purpose and aims
This portfolio item serves three main purposes that work together to create a comprehensive learning experience:
- Developing research skills - You'll learn to gather, analyse and present information from multiple sources
- Understanding your locality - You'll examine the economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects that make your area unique
- Tracking community change - You'll investigate how your community has developed over time and identify current challenges and opportunities
The project is typically word-processed and can incorporate visual elements like maps, photographs, charts and interview excerpts. However, the written content must be clear, well-structured and entirely your own work.
Think of this project as becoming a local historian and community researcher. You're not just describing your area - you're analysing what makes it tick and how it's evolving.
Recommended structure
Your project should follow this eight-section framework to ensure comprehensive coverage of all essential aspects:
1. Title and introduction
Start by clearly identifying the name of your chosen area and provide essential background information including its location, population size and key features. Explain why you selected this particular place - perhaps due to personal connections, historical interest or significant local changes you've witnessed.
2. Historical background
Outline how your area developed over time by highlighting important historical events, industries or influential people. Consider the area's origins and major periods of change that shaped its current character.
3. Economic life
Examine the local economy by identifying main industries, major employers and business sectors. Discuss employment patterns such as full-time, part-time and seasonal work opportunities. Include any recent economic developments like new retail developments or the closure of significant employers.
Worked Example: Economic Analysis
When examining economic life, you might structure it like this:
- Main industries: "The area's economy is dominated by agriculture and tourism..."
- Employment data: "According to CSO figures, 65% of residents work locally while 35% commute..."
- Recent changes: "The closure of the local factory in 2019 resulted in 200 job losses, but this has been partially offset by new retail development..."
4. Social and cultural life
Describe the community's social fabric by covering schools, sports clubs, youth organisations and cultural events. Highlight the community spirit through festivals and local volunteer groups. Assess the availability of essential services including healthcare, public transport and leisure facilities.
5. Environmental features
Document the area's natural assets such as parks, green spaces, rivers and wildlife areas. Address environmental challenges like littering, flooding or traffic congestion. Note any sustainability initiatives such as recycling centres or walking and cycling paths.
6. Challenges and opportunities
Identify current problems facing your community, such as unemployment, housing shortages or inadequate transport links. Balance this by exploring future potential including tourism development, renewable energy projects or local business expansion opportunities.
7. Your personal perspective
Reflect on how growing up or living in this area has influenced you personally. Consider what skills and knowledge you've gained from being part of this community and how you might contribute to its future development.
8. Conclusion
Summarise the key strengths and challenges of your locality whilst ending with either a positive outlook or specific suggestions for improvement.
Essential content requirements
Critical Requirements for Success
Your project must include these essential elements:
- Accurate, current data from sources like CSO statistics and local council information
- Direct quotes from residents or community leaders (with their permission)
- Maps, diagrams and photographs to support your written analysis
- Balanced reporting that presents both positive and negative aspects fairly
Missing any of these elements will significantly impact your marks, so ensure each is properly incorporated and referenced.
What examiners assess
Five Key Assessment Criteria
Examiners evaluate your work based on these critical areas:
- Research evidence - demonstrates you collected and used real data effectively
- Organisation - shows clear headings, subheadings and logical flow
- Balance - presents both strengths and areas needing improvement
- Personal insight - makes the project unique to your own experience
- Presentation - displays neat layout, correct spelling and proper grammar
Understanding these criteria helps you focus your efforts on what matters most for achieving high marks.
Key tips for success
Essential Strategies for Excellence
- Use diverse sources including local newspapers, council websites and personal interviews
- Prepare open-ended questions when interviewing to gather detailed responses
- Connect findings to LCVP learning by linking to themes like enterprise, community involvement and teamwork
- Keep detailed source notes to avoid plagiarism and ensure accuracy
- Draft sections separately before combining and refining your final version
These strategies will help you create a professional, well-researched project that stands out to examiners.
Common mistakes to avoid
Critical Pitfalls That Reduce Marks
- Copying directly from online sources instead of using your own words
- Making the project entirely opinion-based without supporting facts
- Including too many pictures without sufficient written explanation
- Being vague about challenges rather than providing specific examples
Avoiding these common errors will significantly improve your project's quality and your final grade.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember
- The My Own Place project requires genuine research and original writing about your chosen local area
- Follow the eight-section structure to ensure comprehensive coverage of all required topics
- Include accurate data, direct quotes and visual materials to support your analysis
- Maintain balanced reporting by presenting both positive aspects and areas for improvement
- Connect your findings to broader LCVP themes like enterprise and community involvement
This project is your opportunity to become an expert on your local community while developing valuable research and analytical skills that will benefit you throughout your studies and beyond.