First Quarter Project

Forensics classes will be completing a project each quarter. The project will count one quarter (25%) of your grade. Quality work will be expected for something that counts this much. The project will be due on Friday, October 15, 2004 at 3:00 p.m.

The first quarter project will be a book report on a novel that has a character that is a forensic scientist, medical examiner or works in a related profession. Some authors suggested are “easy reads” while other are a little more difficult. You may use the public library, private collections or selections from the Warsaw High School Library. We will spend one period at the library to choose books and to get started. The teacher must approve all books, by authors not listed below. The report should be typed or word-processed.

Some suggested authors and books:

Patricia Cornwell Kay Scarpetta series

Jeffrey Deaver Lincoln Rhyme series (Bone Collector)

Aaron Elkins Gideon Oliver series

Kathy Reichs Deja Dead, Dead DuJour

Warning 1: Bone collector book is different from the movie!

Warning 2: I’ve read all of the ones from the suggested list and will read anything that is not from the list.

Each book report should have the following components:

1. Cover page with title of the book and author approximately centered; “Forensics”, name, and date, at the bottom.

2. Summary page that has Book title and author at the top and at least a half page, typewritten summary of the book.

3. List two ways that forensics was used to help solve the case. Explain the procedure used, the results of the procedure, and how this helped in solving the case. Please include pages that this information can be found on.

4. Chose and complete two activities from the list on the back of this sheet.

Book Report Activities

1. Rewrite the plot or part of it as a news story. You may use pictures, ads and add other articles to make it look like a newspaper.

2. Place yourself in the role of a minor character. Describe the main character as you see him or her. Make certain to tell me who you are.

3. Discuss the main character’s accomplishments as well as the effects of these accomplishments on others in the novel.

4. Write the entries into a character’s diary for a critical three-day period of that character’s life.

5. Write a letter in the role of the main character. This letter should be sent as a part of the action in the book at a critical moment in the plot or as an “epilogue” to this novel.

6. Write a short biography of an important character. Discuss his/her personality, relationship with others and the part played in the novel.

7. Write an analysis of the novel by a man or woman of the future who finds it in a time capsule or in the ruins of planet earth.

8. Make a poster advertising the novel and a brief explanation of the poster.

9. Make a scrapbook suggested by the information in the novel.

10. Make a map concerning the action of this novel. Label all places important in the development of the plot.

11. Change or rewrite the ending of this novel. Tell in your opinion why your ending is better.

12. Make a list of new and interesting words or expressions used in the book. You must have a minimum of 20 words or phrases. Give phonetic spellings and definitions. Indicate the page numbers where these are found in the novel.

First Quarter Project