SEMESTER TEST INFO Part 1

There will be ONE due date for this assignment in both hard copy and electronic form. That day is Wednesday, Dec 7th exactly when your class starts. Late assignments will not be accepted. This is part of your test, so you don’t want to miss this deadline. Do not forget your half page explanation and remember that technology is not an excuse (printers, email, etc). Please don’t forget- you need a hard copy at the beginning of class and you need to turn it in to Turnitin.com by your class time. I will take your papers in advance though, so consider taking this option.

40% of your final semester test will be one of the following options

  • Write a reflection or diary entriesaboutThe Great Gatsby from Daisy’s point of view or from Gatsby’s point of view.Do not just write the events as they occur- this option must show sufficient thought beyond the actual plot. Keep in mind the point of the essay (described below- you must show me you know the entire novel) and ask me if you have questions. I suggest picking a point towards the end of novel from which to base your writing.
  • Write a reflection or diary entriesabout Ethan Fromefrom Zeena’s point of view or Mattie’s point of view.Do not just write the events as they occur- this option must show sufficient thought beyond the actual plot. Keep in mind the point of the essay (described below- you must show me you know the entire novel) and ask me if you have questions.I suggest picking a point towards the end of the novel from which to base your writing.
  • Writea reflection or diary entries from a character in The Scarlet Letter. You would want to describe what they see, why they see it, what is important about it, how they feel, etc.Do not just write the events as they occur- this option must show sufficient thought beyond the actual plot. Keep in mind the point of the essay (described below- you must show me you know the entire novel!) and ask me if you have questions.

I don’t want to stifle your creativity. Please come and talk to me as you go through the writing process if you have a great idea that isn’t one of the above or doesn’t adhere to the guidelines below. If you have advance permission and I feel it will still demonstrate what I want to see, that’s definitely an option.

Requirements:

What I want to see is this: your understanding of one of the novels we have read including great depth and clarity. You need to include all of the most important and most of the minor characters, themes, symbols, significant events, physical observations, plot details, etc. Your writing must fit with the rest of the book and be in keeping with the tone, the setting, the mood, the already present relationships and tensions, plot details, etc. For example, Mattie is not going to be an alien from another planet. Zeena is not going to hoarding lots of money. Gatsby is not going to reveal his secret identity as “old money.”The diary entries would include Puritan-like thoughts. Dimmesdale is not going to embrace Romantic ideals, and Chillingworth is not going to forgive him.

You will also need to make your writing long enough to demonstrate your understanding. Minimum length estimate:about three to four pages typed. Effort will go a long way and the more elements from the novel that you creatively include, the better. Unacceptable assignments (in length, substance, effort required, etc) will be just that, unacceptable.

You will also need to include a half page explanation explaining what you did and why. For example, you thought about including a character’s reaction to a major scene but did not put in the final draft because you felt it wouldn’t fit the character’s personality. Or maybe, you did not add something to the scene because you thought it might detract from the tone/mood, but it was a consideration when you wrote it. What flowed smoothly? What was the hardest part?

BUT WHY?

The point of this two-fold. One is a chance for you to demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of one of the novels above.

The second reason isto provide you with a chance to exercise your creativity and have a little fun with the novels we have read so far. Many of you have stated what you think the characters were really thinking. Here’s your chance to show me just that.

How do I start?

  • Think about what novel you liked the best. This will be the one you will most likely enjoy writing about the most and it will show. You can choose another option, of course, but pick carefully.
  • Re-read, review, brainstorm. Think of a few starting ideas you could use. Allow yourself to think of outrageous things at first, then start narrowing the field.
  • Don’t limit yourself and start writing right away. While initially it seems faster, in the long run, you might find it harder and get stuck.
  • DO NOT TRY WRITING THE EVENTS AS THEY OCCUR. You will end up trying to rewrite the entire novel.
  • Write a rough draft (you won’t get it right the first time). Start in the middle if you’d like. Write paragraphs at time, then rearrange them. You are the author; use your privileges.
  • Reread your first draft, and then begin revising. This might be a good time to let someone else edit.
  • LET IT SIT for a while.
  • Re-edit after you have given yourself some distance from your work. You will notice elements you left out that you assumed you had explained. You will also notice flaws in logic, writing, etc more clearly. You will most likely have new ideas that will pop up; use them. There are no limits to the number of edits you can do.
  • Your final copy needs to be typed, Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1 inch margins with my name, your name, the date and the class in the corner.
  • Make sure you have included your half-page explanation described above.
  • Proofread your final copy. Make sure your ‘i’s are dotted and your ‘t’s are crossed.
  • Hand it in hard copy and turn it in electronically!