Name______
PROJECT DUE DATE:
Choose one project to do about the book you read:
Character Interview
Pretend you are a reporter for a magazine like Time or Entertainment. Choose one character from your book to interview. Look over interviews in magazines as models for how to format your interview. Use the author’s details of characterization to give an accurate portrayal of the character in the introduction paragraph and the character’s responses to questions:
- The character’s appearance
- The character’s actions/behavior
- The character’s words, thoughts and feelings
- The reactions of other characters
Write one introductory paragraph describing the appearance and mood of the character and the setting of the interview (italicized). Ask your character at least ten questions with at least five “feed-off” questions (total of 15) labeled Q. Do not number your questions. The character’s answers are thorough and detailed enough to show main events, emotions, and characters of the book you read. With the questions and answers, the following topics should be addressed:
- The character’s background/past
- How the character feels about events and other characters from the book
- How the character thinks he/she compares to another character in the book
- What the character thinks will happen in his/her future
As she/he answers your questions as the interviewer, describe the character’s movements, gestures, facial expressions, body language to give the answers more depth (italicized). Include a picture of your character (must be your interpretations of the character’s appearance based on the book.
Your interview should be typed (one-inch margins, 12-point font, Calibri font or something similar. Each question and its answer are single-spaced; double-space between questions.
MOVIE & POSTER
If you were to produce a movie of your book, what would be the title? Who would direct? Who would star? Create a movie poster of your book like the ones you see hanging in a movie theater and complete a paper explaining your reasons for choosing your directors and actors. Choose a director based on the mood or tone of the book. Choose your characters based on the author’s characterization:
- The character’s appearance
- The character’s actions/behavior
- The character’s words, thoughts and feelings
- The reactions of other characters
YOU MAY NOT DO THIS PROJECT IF YOUR BOOK HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE INTO A MOVIE!!
Poster: Large poster board or something similar. Poster should have the appearance of a real movie poster and is attractive in terms of layout, design, and neatness.
Movie title is large, bold, and clearly visible.
Large, colorful, detailed graphics illustrate the mood or tone of the book and do not resemble the book jacket or cover.
Most of the movie poster is colored or covered in some way – very little blank space.
The director, actors, and actresses are identified.
At least two positive comments from “critics” are present.
Write-up: Neatly written or typed - double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12-point font, Calibri font (or something similar) – minimum two pages
- Includes a thorough explanation of the mood or tone of the story with evidence from the book. Then thoroughly explains why the particular director is the best choice for the film version.
- Includes a description of the characterization of each character and explains why the chosen actors are the best choices to depict the characters.
BOOK JACKET & SALES PITCH
If you really loved your book this is the report for you! Design a NEW book jacket for your book that would entice people to pick it up at the store and buy it. Then, prepare a short sales pitch or commercial to present orally to the class. Remember, the purpose of a commercial is to sell, sell, sell!
Jacket: Use 18”x12” paper to fold like a book jacket. Book jacket should resemble an actual book jacket and is attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.
FRONT: Title and author are clearly visible. Colorful, detailed graphics depict the mood or tone of the book, would entice readers to pick up the book, and take up the entire cover (no blank space).
BACK: Includes at least three reviews from “critics” or authors that address the plot, the characters, and the author’s techniques and create anticipation or a desire to read the book (one paragraph each).
INSIDE FRONT COVER: Includes a well-written synopsis that creates anticipation and DOES NOT divulge the ending or other surprises throughout the book (at least one paragraph).
INSIDE BACK COVER: Describes the author and how his/her life experience contributed to or affected the story (at least one paragraph).
Sales Pitch: (Do not read from the summary of your book jacket) Should be neatly written or typed, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point font, Calibri or something similar. Your pitch should be about two minutes long and it should be rehearsed and prepared. It should include a strategy for attracting customers and entices your audience to read the book. Your speech and body language should be clear and enthusiastic.
REVIEW
Imagine you are a book critic for a magazine or newspaper like Entertainment Weekly or the New York Times. Write a review of your book and prepare a presentation for your classmates. Look at reviews in magazines and newspapers as models of how your review should look.
Written part: Neatly written or typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, 12-point font, Calibri or something similar. Review is 2-3 pages in length. Title is original and sums up your article and would attract readers. It should be written in third-person point of view (no I, me, my, we, you, your, etc.) Includes the following elements:
- Information about the author and his/her past work
- A summary of the book without divulging the ending or any surprises
- Critique of the author’s work – strengths and weaknesses
- Your overall thoughts and impressions
- Who should and should not read this book and why
- A grade, rating or score for the book
Oral Presentation: Do NOT read your review. Presentation should be two minutes long and appears to be prepared and rehearsed and includes all five elements from the written review. Read from at least one passage from the book to illustrate one of your main points.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE & NEWS REPORT
Imagine you’re a reporter for a major newspaper like the New York Times. Report on the climatic event from your book as though it has just happened. Then, present a news report on the event. Use newspaper articles to guide you as you write your article. Watch the news and use the reporters as models for how to report your story. Use language in both that would be used in the news.
Article: Neatly written or typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12-point font, Calibri (or something similar), 1-2 pages in length
- Headline and subheading grab the attention of the reader
- All information is fact not opinion
- Lead (first paragraph) establishes who, what, when, where and why
- Include events leading up to the climax
- Description of the climatic event and aftermath
- Witness testimony (quotes from characters) describing or reacting to the event and/or its aftermath
- Description of the witnesses and how they are or are not involved with the event
- Written entirely in third-person point of view
News Report: DO NOT read your article. Presentation should be neatly written or typed and is about two minutes long and appears to be prepared and rehearsed. Voice and manner resembles those of a professional news reporter.
CHILDREN’S BOOK
You are a children’s book author and illustrator. Write an abridged version of your book, keeping in mind the age of your audience. Also keep in mind that illustrations tell the story, too – your drawings can reveal information like the setting or what the characters look like, so you don’t have to write that part. Or, feel free to turn your characters into whimsical animals! Then read your book to the class as though they are the child-aged audience.
Book – Minimum size 10” by 10”
Cover
- Title and author are clearly visible and your name, as the author of this version, is clearly visible.
- An original colorful graphic that relates to the book’s content is present (that doesn’t resemble the actual book’s cover) and takes up the entire cover (no blank space).
- Written portion is plot/action-based. Details are revealed through the illustrations.
- Story elements are present: conflict, climax, resolution.
Oral
- Book is read clearly and dramatically to reveal the tone and mood of the story.
COMPARE/CONTRAST BOOK TO MOVIE
Read a book and then watch the film version. What similarities are there? What are the differences? Which is better and why? What would have made the weaker version better? Answer these questions in an essay.
Essay is typed or neatly written
Five paragraphs: Intro, three supporting paragraphs, conclusion
Introduction introduces the topic (comparing and contrasting which book and movie), gives a brief synopsis of the plot, and includes a thesis statement (the ______is stronger because…).
Supporting paragraphs support the thesis. Each includes a topic sentence (what aspect of the book/movie is addressed), at least three sentences supporting the topic (comparing/contrasting), and a concluding statement (which version is stronger and why).
Conclusion restates the thesis in a different way review the three supporting points, and concludes with a universal statement/thoughtful observation (what would have made the weaker version better?)
Essay is written in third person (no I, me, my)
BROCHURE & TRAVEL AGENT
Imagine you’re a travel agent putting together a vacation that would let your clients experience the book. Create a brochure that would entice clients to consider your vacation. Then, prepare a presentation to sell your vacation to an audience. Use the author’s description of the setting and events in the plot to help design the perfect vacation getaway! Use the theme, tone, or mood of the book to help you design your brochure.
Brochure: Use 18” by 12” paper folded into three sections. You will have a total of six sections to fill with information.
Section #1: Cover/Front – advertises the “name” of your vacation package and what book it’s inspired by. Include a picture or graphic. The front of the brochure would be the first thing a customer would see, so make it enticing.
Section #2: Write at least one paragraph describing the overall theme of the vacation, how it relates to the theme of the book, and who would enjoy this vacation. Include a picture.
Section #3: Describe the accommodations, food, and transportation arrangements. Include a picture.
Section #4-6: Schedule of activities – Label and explain at least five activities that are created based on events from the book. Name the activity and describe/summarize the event from the book.
Brochure should…
-Be colorful
-have very little unused space
-be neat and organized
-have neat handwriting or be typed
Oral Presentation: Do not read from the brochure! Oral presentation should be neatly written or typed. It should be about two minutes long and be prepared and rehearsed. Pitch includes a strategy for attracting customers and entices clients to buy the vacation. Speech and body language are clear and enthusiastic.
MENU
Many restaurants have dishes inspired by a theme. Create some dishes that are inspired by characters, the setting, the plot, the tone or mood, and the theme of your book. Design a menu that captures the essence of your book. Give each dish a name, describe what’s in each dish, and explain how each dish is inspired by the book. For extra credit, you could even prepare one of the dishes to share with the class!
Menu should…
-Include the name of your restaurant (try to somehow incorporate the book)
-Provides a brief synopsis of the book
-Including a minimum of eight dishes – each of the following courses are represented at least once: appetizer, soup, salad, main course, and dessert. Indicate which dishes go under which courses.
-Use at least four of the following six elements as inspiration for your dishes: characters, setting, plot elements (conflict, climax, resolution), mood, tone, and theme.
-Have each dish creatively named. For each, there is a detailed and appetizing description of ingredients and an explanation of how the dish is connected to an element from the book.
-Menu design should be neat and organized
Oral: Present your menu to the class. If you are preparing a dish for extra credit, make sure you bring enough for everyone with plates and plasticware.
PARTY PLANNER
Plan a party inspired by your book! Consider the following elements: characters, setting, plot events, mood, tone, and theme. Design an invitation, decorations, food, party layout, entertainment and activities for your guests that will allow them to experience your book. Prepare a collage illustrating and explaining your party and present to the class.
Collage: large poster board
-Includes the title of your party and the title and author of the book are clearly visible.
-Includes a brief synopsis of the book.
Invitation:
-Includes title of the party, date, time, location (inspired by the setting)
Menu:
-Includes at least five items that are appropriately named for the book. May be appetizers, buffet, or sit-down courses (inspired by characters and events)
Collage includes a thorough description of at least two activities (inspired by the plot) and at least one source of entertainment (inspired by plot, mood, tone, or theme). Explain how each is related to your book. Include a drawing or print out of the party layout showing where food, activities, and decorations will be. Collage should be decorated to show what the party decorations would be like (inspired by mood, tone, or theme). Collage design is colorful, neat, and organized. Design and party elements match the theme, tone, or mood of the book.
Oral: Present and explain your collage and party to the class.
SOUNDTRACK
Pretend you are a world famous music producer and you have signed a major deal to create the soundtrack for the book you read. The songs you choose and the cover art of the album should represent different aspects of the novel including major events, characters, and emotions. You will be playing an MP3 playlist or your burned CD for the class and explaining how the song represents the novel.
Requirements for the Soundtrack:
10 Tracks (songs)
The songs you select should portray the overall emotions of the novel, represent different character’s personalities and feelings, and depict major conflicts and events of the novel. The order in which you put your songs should also mirror the order of events of the novel. (Include song title and artist. Song list should be on the back of your CD case. Song titles should not have inappropriate language.)
Create an MP3 playlist or burn a CD with your songs in the correct order. Please use the edited version of songs. You will be playing a short clip of each song for the class so at the very least, make sure the beginning 20-30 seconds of the song does not contain any inappropriate language.
Album Cover/Cover Art (the case of your CD)
This can be a single picture or collage of pictures from the internet or you can design the cover yourself by drawing or cutting out pictures. It must be placed in an actual CD case. I want to see something original that you feel goes along with the novel and the songs you have chosen. (I do not want to see a copy of the book’s cover.)
Written “Contract”
The author wants to be sure that each song you choose for the soundtrack goes along with the novel and is placed in an order that makes sense. You must write a 1-2 page paper explaining the songs you chose, how they relate to the characters, events, and emotions of the novel and why you put them in the order you did. (Each song should be one short paragraph.)