Freshman Summer Reading (Honors Team)
Book Selections: Choose two different books that you have not previously read (grade appropriate, at least 200 pages in length). One must be fiction and the other can be either fiction or nonfiction.
Two assignments are due on the first day of school. I will not accept any excuses for work not submitted on time. All students added to the class roster by August 15, 2016 are responsible for the completion of this assignment by the given due date (Wednesday, August 31, 2016). Students added to the class roster after this date will have two weeks after the date they were added to the class to complete the assignment in full.
- All work must be handed in at the beginning of class on August 31
- The dialectical journal must be typed (I will not give you a pass to go and print it out).
- There will be a 20-point reduction for every 24-hour period the assignment is late.
If you do not complete the assignment, you will be reassigned to another class section that isnot honors.
Email questions to Mrs. Hawks-Ladds:
Assignment 1: Fiction selection—Dialectical Journal (50 points)
As you read, you must keep a dialectical journal. The dialectical journal should include a minimum of 10 typed entriesand the entries should be evenly spaced throughout the novel (example: one entry for every or every other chapter or chunk the novel into 10 approximately equal sections and prepare an entryfor each section.)
*What is a Dialectical Journal?
A dialectical journal is another name for a double-entry journal or a reader-response journal. A dialectical journal records a dialogue or conversation between the ideas in the text (the words that you are reading) and the ideas of the reader (the person who is doing the reading).
Write down your thoughts, questions, insights, and ideas while you read. Use this assignment to demonstrate your understanding of literature, literary elements, and literary terms. Explore the text and provide smart observations about items such as character development, point of view, plot structure, setting, theme, and literary devices such as symbolism, allusions, and metaphors.
Do not use incidents in the book to make personal connections to events in your own personal narrative. This is NOT a summary of what you read. The purpose of this assignment is to determine how well you understand literary elements and to showcase your ability to think critically about a text.
Your journal will use a two-column form:
- In the LEFT COLUMN, record a quote that you think is interesting or important. The quote must be properly cited using MLA format, and you must copy the entire quote.
- In the RIGHT COLUMN, write down YOUR OWN thoughts, commentary, and questions about the info in the LEFT COLUMN.
Example of Dialectical Journal
Last Name 1First and Last Name
English 1 Honors
Mrs. Hawks-Ladds
Date
Dialectical Journal: Title of Novelby Author’s Full Name
FCA1: Journal is complete and meets all requirements (follows directions) (10)
FCA2: Responses demonstrate careful thought and analysis (does not simply summarize the novel and uses significant quotes) (30)
FCA3: Appropriate spelling, grammar, punctuation, and structure (paragraphs) are utilized (10)
Quote / Reader Response
"I’d also lie if I thought I could get away with it, especially to girls. Like telling them I loved them and junk, when I didn’t. I had a rep as a lady-killer-- a hustler. I kept up the old Lord Byron tradition in one way. Sometimes I’d get to feeling bad about how rotten I treated some of these chicks, but most of the time it didn’t even bother me” (Hinton 17-18). / Bryon seems like a complex character. On the one hand, he sounds like a real “player” in terms of how he treats girls, but he does also say that sometimes he feels bad about his behavior. Maybe he does have a conscience. I wonder if he will change how he acts with girls later in the novel? I also wonder what else he lies about and whether he is a reliable narrator if he is untruthful?
I think he may be well-educated even though he comes across as a tough, street-wise guy since he makes an allusion to Lord Byron. I looked this up and Byron is a famous poet who wrote romantic poetry. This doesn’t seem like something your average 16-year-old boy would know.
Adhere to the following MLA format requirements:
- Proper paragraphing
- Times New Roman 12 pt. or other easily legible 12pt.font
- 1 " Margins
- Double spaced
- Header: Your last name and the page number in the upper right-hand corner of every page
- FCA’s listed at the top
Grading:
FCA1: Journalis complete and meets all requirements (follows directions) (10)
FCA2: Responses demonstrate careful thought and analysis(does not simply summarize the novel and uses significant quotes) (30)
FCA3: Appropriate spelling, grammar, punctuation, and structure (paragraphs) are utilized (10)
Assignment 2: Fiction or Nonfiction Selection (50)
A. Prepare a book jacket. The jacket will be used to “sell” your book and supplement your oral presentation (see below). You will need a standard-sized piece of poster board, cut in half length-wise and folded into a book jacket. You may use any color poster board that suits your novel. The book jacket should have no “white space” and must contain the following parts:
- Cover = Design an alternate cover for your book. Incorporate important symbols, words, ideas, and images that accurately capture the themes, characters, and conflicts from the book. Your cover must have color, and it must be an original design that you create (you may incorporate some aspects of the original cover, but this design must be distinctly yours). You may draw your own design or use magazine cutouts, internet images, etc.
- Spine = include title and author.
- Back cover = Here you should post your brief summary of the book. This must be your original work (not taken or paraphrased from the originalbook jacket), and should introduce the major characters, give an overview of the plot, and indicate the genre. Your aim is to entice readers without giving too much of the story away. Craft your tone and word choice here to suit your personal opinion of the novel (if you loved it, let readers see your enthusiasm; if you hated it, let readers feel your distaste in your words). You may also include an enticing quote or appropriate illustration here. Do not give away the ending!
- Inside flaps = On one interior flap, list the three strengthsof your bookand on the other list three weaknesses. For fictional selections, focus upon elements of fiction, like characterization, resolution, use of literary devices, conflict, etc. Regardless of how you felt about the novel, you MUST identify and explain three strengths and three weaknesses. Explain these in enough detail using supportive examples and quotes from the novel so that readers understand how and why these are strengths and weaknesses.
- Inside cover (full-size) = Identify and discuss the target readers for this novel. What kinds of readers would really enjoy this book? Address such characteristics as age/education (complex vocabulary or concepts prevent young readers from understanding and enjoying some books), maturity (some topics are just too racy or gory for young or innocent eyes!), hobbies (athletes may be more interested in sports stories than musicians), reading taste (lovers of sci-fi might shy away from romances), and gender (some books are really “boy” books whereas others are “girl” books). Make sure you include support from the book that explains HOW it targets particular groups of readers.
- Inside cover (full size) = be creative here! Include imaginary reviews, important symbols, quotes, ideas, character bios, or anything else you deem appropriate (Top 5 reasons to read/not to read this book, etc.). You have flexibility with what you design here, but you must have SOMETHING that is appropriate and captivating about your novel.
The layout and design of this project must be neat, clean, and appropriate. All work must be SECURELY attached, and the final product should be polished. Use the space wisely (don’t have lots of empty space—fill this in with borders or designs), and make sure that your images are placed in the correct locations. The jacket MUST be constructed from poster board with dimensions of approximately 28” x 11” which is a standard-sized poster board cut in half lengthwise. The grading rubric appears below.
B. Prepare an oral presentation known as a book talk to present to the class during the first week of school. The goal of the book talk is to “sell” your book to the audience or dissuade them from reading it as the case may be. Your talk MUST include the following information:
1)Explanation of your original cover. What images, colors, symbols, etc. did you include and why?
2)Summarize the book in 3-4 sentences (without giving the entire story away!). Make sure that you introduce the main characters, plot, setting, and conflict(s). Do not give away the ending! You are advertising your book—not giving a book report.
3)Identify strengths and weaknesses of the novel. What about the book did you love the most? What could have been improved? What might dissuade future readers? What might attract them? For works of fiction, focus upon elements of fiction, like the effectiveness of the setting, the development and authenticity of the characterization, the reliability of the narrator, etc. Make sure you support these claims with information from the novel (quotes, specific examples, and explanations).
4)Identify the target reading group for the novel. Who would REALLY enjoy this novel? Is it designed for a certain age or grade level? Is the style of writing or the vocabulary too advanced for young readers? Is it too slang-y and pop-ish for older readers? Is it really for lovers of sci-fi, or more of a tear-jerking romance for the sappy at heart? Who would enjoy this book the most, and WHY? Make sure you support these claims with information from the novel (quotes, specific examples, or explanations).
You should use your book jacket as a prop during your presentation. In addition, you may useindex cards as an aide if you wish. The book talk should last no more than 5 minutes. Rehearse your presentation!
Your Name: ______Book Title and Author: ______
Book Jacket Score SheetComponent / Requirements / Possible Points / Points Earned
1. Alternate cover / Original design that contains color and integrates important symbols and ideas / 10
2. Spine / Title and author / 2
3. Summary / Brief and enticing; tone reflects reader’s evaluation / 5
4. Strengths/Weaknesses / 3 of eachclearly and sufficiently explained and supported / 6
5. Target Readers / Fully identified in terms of age/education, maturity, hobbies, reading tastes, and gender; supported with information from novel / 5
6. Creative Interior page / Creative, interesting, and appropriate / 5
7. Presentation / All elements are SECURELY ATTACHED on poster board in correct locations. Entire project is eye-catching, original, and polished / 5
8. Grammar and style / All textual components are grammatically clean; contains no fragments, run-ons, or spelling errors / 5
9. Oral presentation / Evidences preparation. Appropriate volume, pace, tone, eye contact. / 7