Tuesday

 

 Okay, work time. This week you need to finish your reading logs by Wednesday, and begin working on your essays. I suggest working on the reflection essay first, then the connection/comparison essay, and finally the analytical essay (three essays). You also have a creative visual (that I will have you begin on Wednesday). Presentations will be at the end of next week. 

GRADING SCALE for READING LOGS:

4 – The student analyzes what happens in a chapter and the noteworthy literary elements in the chapter to larger ideas (themes) and how they relate to the novel as a whole. Journal has a short but detailed summary (synopsis), 3-4 noteworthy literary elements, and 3-4 unfamiliar words (vocabulary). 

3 – The student can analyze what happened in a chapter and make connections with larger themes or how the action in the chapter connects/relates to the novel as a whole.  The student is beginning to analyze the meaning of literary devices in connection with larger meanings (example how symbols reinforce main ideas).  Journal has a short detailed summary (synopsis), 2-3 noteworthy literary elements, and 2-3 unfamiliar words (vocabulary).

2 – The student can summarize the events in a chapter discussing what happened with good detail.  The student can list literary devices but might not be able to analyze them and connect them to larger ideas.  The student is beginning to make connections between what happened in a chapter and how it reinforces larger themes.  Journal could also be missing vocabulary words or might only list literary elements.

1 – The student can summarize events in the chapter, but is not able to accurate list literary devices or make connections on how the chapter reinforces larger themes or ideas.  

 

 

Unit Learning goal: Students will be able to create a multi-part literary project that details the following items:

 

The Literature Project  

Rationale: The purpose of this project is to assess your ability to read, summarize, analyze, and connect pieces of literature as well as assess your writing skills.  This is your chance to show me everything you know and have learned.  This is your chance to dazzle, shine, dance, sing, shout (during your presentation).

 

Assignment: You will read A Brave New World.  This final project will consist of five parts. 

 

1) A reading log revealing your engagement with the literature.  This part should be very thorough and should contain all the things listed below.

2) A creative connection

3) A book summary/personal response paper

4) An analysis focusing primarily on the development of one striking element in the novel: symbolism, characterization, figurative language, theme, plot and how that element contributes to the development of the novel’s overall meaning.

5) A connection—a one page paper connecting the book to a short story or novel read last year by either symbolism or theme. 

6) A presentation (this could be creative—and has to be 3 minutes with visual aids): this is an overview of your project and your understanding of the novel.

 

POINT VALUES: The analysis is worth 100 points each.  The log, creative connection, personal response, presentation, and connections are worth 50 points each.  Therefore, the total point value is 350 points.  This is nearly your entire project grade for the semester.

EXPECTATIONS:

THE READING LOG:  The reading log reveals your engagement with literature.  Furthermore, a detailed reading log will significantly aid you in the development of the rest of the project.  After reading each chapter, you should write in your log:

n  A short synopsis of the action and character development

n  Your interpretation of the significant events occurring in the chapter

n  Noteworthy figurative language and other literary elements

n  Vocabulary—unfamiliar words

 

Please note that the copying of Cliff Notes or Internet Sites is plagiarism.  I want only your thoughts, don’t steal.  Cheating will equal a ZERO. 

 

THE CREATIVE PART:  Choose one of the three options below:

Take a minor character and write a 1-2 page monologue / journal entry about what they think of the situation / action / motivations in the book so far. 

Make a newspaper story about one of the major events of the novel. How would a journalist take on those events and how would that story be different than John or Bernard's perspective.

Draw a picture (or some sort of visual representation) drawing from the reading. Be sure to include a written component explaining why you chose to create your visual representation.

 

Book Review/ Personal Response:  Give a detailed summary of the book.  What did you like?  What did you not like?  Would you recommend this book to a friend?  Why or why not?

 

THE LITERARY ANALYSIS: Choose one literary element of the book and develop a thesis around it.  Back up your thesis statements with proof from the text.  This paper should be at least 3 pages.

 

THE CONNECTION: 1-2 pages connecting the novel to a short story read in class.  You may focus on theme, characterization (think dynamic), or figurative language.

 

THE PRESENTATION:  3 minutes—this should be an overview of your project and what you learned.  It should include a visual aid.