Step One – Information Gathering
(November 14, 15, 17– 2-3 days)
It is your job, as a group, to discover what Jeannette Walls “says” about your theme. She may do this in a variety of ways (plot, characterization, setting, craft of writing), but in the end you will choose one or two. In advance of this,you will need to go through the book carefully and analyze:
1.events and circumstances (plot) to decide how they add to Jeannette’s understanding of the theme.
2.“characters” and the parts they play in Jeannette’s treatment of the theme.
3.the way in which the various settings, and the time period (less important) affect Jeannette’s understanding.
B. Consider the craft of writing, and how it is instrumental in developing the theme, looking at:
- word choice
- literary devices
- chapter divisions
- syntax
- point-of-view
- other examples from the
C. In addition to using The Glass Castle as a primary resource, you must find at least THREE (3) reputable internet sources that will inform and corroborate your thesis.
- See handout on evaluating web resources
- Feel free to use EBSCO (ASD-E student portal > Ebsco > User ID: NB Password: Education > EbscoHost), an online database full of scholarly articles. I will show you how to narrow your search field; I found some interesting articles using the search phrase “the glass castle by Jeannette Walls articles”
Step Two – Developing a Thesis Statement
(November 21, 22 - 2 days)
Decide on a thesis statement that expresses the theme as is it conveyed in the book. A thesis statement is the point that the author is trying to make about a concept.
Hammer out your thesis statement by coming up with an argument that is both provable with evidence from the novel, and debatable. As stated above, your thesis statement must make an argument about what your novel “does” or “says” and how it “works” or “says it.” Your thesis statement should look like this:
My novel shows that ______through the use of ______.
Or
Through the use of ______my novel shows that ______.
Draft Thesis Statement – Because this will take MANY attempts, it is strongly suggested that you record your first attempts at thesis writing on your own paper before you record it on the sheet provided and that you only record on the appropriate sheet once you are confident that your thesis statement is near perfection.
Also, I must approve your draft copy before you are permitted to proceed to the next step.
Step Three – Presentation Making
(November 23, 24, 28, 29, 30; Dec 1 – 6 days)
Discuss, as a group, how you are going to present your findings to the class. I will go over some ideas and will show you examples from the previous years. I will also provide some tips on how to effectively present. One day will revolve around “process presentations” – more info to come.
Your presentation must contain the following:
Thesis statement
7-10quotes relating to your thesis. A minimum of 3 quotes will be from 3 outside sources.
A clear explanation of how your theme is developed (character, plot, setting and craft of writing) in the novel.
At least two slides devoted to your specific “theory of novels” explaining how we can look at The Glass Castle through that particular theory.
Also to be passed in, but not part of the presentation:
Your annotated bibliography (to be explained).
A close reading of a significant, theme-related passage from The Glass Castle
A reflection
Ultimately, your goals are to prove that your thesis is correct and show how your general theme is revealed.
Your presentation will be completed using Prezi and, in order to cover all required points, will take approximately 20 minutes. Refer frequently to the rubric.
The Prezi and close reading must be emailed to me at by the end of the day on November 30.
The annotated bibliography and the reflection* are due TBA.
*You will also, individually, submit a reflection on both the group process and the key learnings that you personally experienced as you worked with the group and with the content.
Step Four – Presentation
(November TBA)
Presentation dates are non-negotiable. You have been given ample time to reschedule appointments if necessary.
As presenters and as the audience, you have specific roles you must fulfill. As the presenter, you must deliver your findings in a clear and concise way. Your classmates must “learn” from you. As a part of the audience, you must record the information provided. This information will prove valuable to you on your exam.