“Dip in the Pool”

English 10-A

“The Misadventures of Mr. Botibol” Project

(with apologies to Roald Dahl)

  • To what extent does an understanding of the elements of plot help readers to understand and to appreciate the writer’s skill?
  • To what extent do atmospheric elements contribute to the success of a work?

Your assignment:

  1. Alone or with a partner (groups no larger than 3), choose a scene from “Dip in the Pool” that you feel is important. Determine the mood of the scene. Is it funny? suspenseful? sad?foreboding?ridiculous? Set the mood of your scene by including atmospheric elements in your final product.
  2. Draw thumbnail sketches of at least three cartoon panels of your scene. Draft dialogue as well as narration for the panels. The first panel will need to provide the exposition of your scene.
  3. Next, transform your thumbnails into more polished cartoon panels. Use careful drawing and/or a collection of pictures from magazines; make your cartoon panels large enough for all to enjoy. Dialogue and thoughts should be expressed in dialogue bubbles. Narration should appear at the top or bottom of the panels. Remember to include the scene’s Exposition in the narrative as well as a Cartoon Title.
  4. Finally, write a paragraph in which you reflect on the process of creating your project. Explain why you selected this scene and the mood you are trying to convey. Discuss how your cartoon panels incorporate that mood. Consider atmospheric elements, plot, and characterization. Also explain what you learned from this assignment. (One person may write this paragraph but it should discuss the perspectives of everyone in the group.)

75-Point Criteria for Success

The team demonstrates:

  • Effective use of class time and equal distribution of tasks (10 points)
  • Thumbnails drawn with care and consideration of scene details (10 points)
  • Finished panels incorporate dialogue and narration, including a statement of exposition. (10 points)
  • Panels accurately display story detail (20 points)
  • Panels are neat, eye-catching, and creative (10 points)
  • A well-written and well-edited paragraph that addresses each of the requirements thoroughly and thoughtfully. (15 points)
  • 1 point deduction for every error in spelling and punctuation, to a maximum of 7 points.

Possible scene choices:

“Mr. Botibol Rocks and Rolls on the Liner”

“Mr. Botibol Has an Idea at Dinner”

“Mr. Botibol Rides the Elevator to the Deck”

“Mr. Botibol Risks It All at the Auction”

“Mr. Botibol Dreams of the Green Lincoln Convertible”

“Mr. Botibol Wakes Up and Panics”

“Mr. Botibol Has a Plan”

“Mr. Botibol Carries Out Stage One of His Plan”

“Mr. Botibol Prepares to Jump”

“Au Revoir, Mr. Botibol”