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Eng1Dee1Independent Novel Reading
You are about to embark on an independent reading adventure based on a chosen fiction novel from our library.
Purpose:
- To read a novel independently
- To challenge yourself with reading outside your present comfort zone
- To identify two popular or scholarly articles that relate to issues in your novel
- To possibly use the novel towards a formal essay writing in April/May (You can use Twelfth Night or the Novel)
Parts:
- Selection of Book, January 25, 2013
- Reading Journals (20%)
- Locating two articles (30%)
- Summarizing paragraphs and making connections (40%)
- Post-Reading Reflection (10%)
Part 1: Selection of Book (January 25, 2013)
With guidance from the librarian, you can select from the following three categories; you are encouraged to read beyond your current comfort level to explore the literary world, but are not penalized/stigmatized for remaining in your comfort level.
Bronze Level: Select from a variety of teen novels; these should match your current comfort level.
Silver Level: Select from a variety of novels whose characters connect you to a different culture or historical time period.
Gold Level: Select from a variety of novels which are award winners, or are considered Classics, or are of high literary quality.
Part 3:Reading Journals
Divide the novel in half, using the page numbers or chapters/sections as your guide.
Journal #1
Pages 1 to______, read by Friday, February 22, (Day 5)
Submit Journal #1
Journal #2
Pages _____to the end, read by Friday, March 22, (Day 5)
Submit Journal #2
You are completing two (2) journals which should each include
- Five (5) interesting quotations from the lead character in the novel.
- An explanation of the quotation and its context (what is happening in the novel when the quotation is said and why it matters in the novel)
- An explanation why you personally found each quotation interesting.
- A list of three issues that the lead character is confronting and what the author says about the issues, having used the character as a means to share his/her opinion.
Part 4: Making Connection - Locating and Citing Two Articles
Using the virtual library, you are locating two articles, from either newspapers, magazines, or journals on two issues that are addressed in the novel that you have selected. You will then summarize the articles and connect their information to the novel.
Novel:______
1: Identify the six issues from your journals-use single words or a combination of two to three words
3 points
a______
b______
c______
d______
e______
f______
2: Use the Virtual Library and follow the path listed below to find a data base
Virtual Library > >
2a: Locate an article about two for the issues
2b: Read the article; you should make immediate connections as the article supports the way in which the issue is described in the novel or the way in which it contradicts the novel
3 You need to print out a copy of the articles and cite the full source using the source log available on the library web page. 2 x 5 Points
3a: Go to Library Department Research HelpWCI Source Log
3 b: Save the document to your account; you can manipulate the Source Log Document to serve your needs, eliminating boxes (videos etc) which you do not need and duplicating those which you might need more often.
3 c: Complete the source box (Secondary One Stop) for both articles
-Save the Source Log Document and print out a copy to be attached the articles.5 Points
Part 5: Summarizing Paragraphs and Making Connections
You will get additional Instructions later
SO, WHAT DO I WRITE IN MY JOURNAL ENTRIES?
Please do not summarize the whole novel in your response. You may begin with a short synopsis of what has happened so far but limit it to 3-4 sentences. Instead, choose any ONE of the topics below, write a good topic sentence and start giving your opinions followed by examples from the novel to prove your point. For example if you think your main character lacks common sense and social skills then tell your audience what he did that makes you have this opinion. If you have an idea of your own that you would like to use and these topics don’t cover it, then go ahead and write about your idea. Choose a different topic for each entry.
1Describe two characters that you find especially interesting. What is interesting about their his\her Appearance? Personality? Behaviour with other characters? Morals? Inner thoughts?
2Describe certain complications that you think the hero is going to have difficulty resolving. Why are they going to be difficult to resolve?
3Define the major conflicts in the novel and then explain the effects of certain conflicts on a character or a relationship between characters.
4Tell me about an especially interesting or exciting event that you have encountered. What makes it so exciting? How is it going to affect the course of events in the story? How will it affect certain characters?
5Explain how you feel about a certain turn of events or about the behaviour of a certain character or group of characters.
6Describe how the narrator's feelings and opinions seem to be affecting the story. You might want to use this idea especially if the narrator is a character in the story. Don’t forget to mention how the chosen point of view impacts on the novel.
7Explain the importance of a secondary plot that you see developing as you read. How will it affect characters involved in the main plot? What has caused it to develop?
8.Compare something in your story with an experience of your own. Is there something in the story that resembles something in your own experience? If so, how is that similarity affecting you as you read this story? Do you agree or disagree with the choices and outcomes?
9. Is there a movie, TV show or story you have read that reminds you of something in your novel? What is the similarity? How does this similarity affect your feelings about, or opinion of, characters or events in your novel?
10. Is there something a little strange or different about something in your story? What is it? Do you like this aspect of your story or dislike it? Why?
11. What message does the story seem to communicate about life, or about the way people think, or about the way they react to situations, or about the way they relate to one another? In other words, what is the theme of the story? What makes you think so?
HOW LONG SHOULD THEY BE??
Each entry should be ABOUT 2 PAGES TYPED/DOUBLESPACED. You must write carefully constructed sentences and paragraphs.
Sample Reader Response Rubric
Student Name______Class______
Topic______Audience______Purpose______Style______
Organization(Knowledge)-Knowledge of ¶ format, purpose and audience; follows guidelines
-Paragraph structure- Topic sentences, intros and conclusions
- followed the outline/plan of development
Content (Thinking and Inquiry)
-opinions are clearly supported with evidence from the chosen text
-ideas are thoroughly thought out and developed
- insightful comments and conclusions to fulfill the writing purpose / /15 / LEVELS
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
Communication
- Diction & language is sophisticated and the tone fits the purpose
- Student has a strong voice and command of the writing style.
- discussion and insight is expressed clearly based on the topic and purpose
Application
- correct use of sentence structure, grammar. The format/style is realistic.
- application of literary terminology and MLA documentation / /10 / 1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
TOTAL /25
Part 3: Making Connections
Your novel, regardless of the genre, deals with issues that contemporary society is facing. Your author provided his/her opinion on the issue through the characters.
- Using the library sources, specifically the online data bases, locate one article from a magazine or newspaper that address an issue found in the novel. Print the article and complete the citation box.
- Write one paragraph which summarizes the article
- Write one paragraph explaining the connection between the article and the novel. Include at least two specific references to incidents form the novel and information/statements form the article.
PART 2 THE FORMAL OPINION ESSAY ANALYSIS (25 marks)
For this part of the project you are going to present your opinion on some issue that appears in the novel. This analysis will be a formal piece of writing of about 500 words in which you state your opinion in the introduction and then present an argument designed to make your reader believe what you believe. Your analysis will consist of the following:
- An introduction in which you identify the issue you intend to discuss and your opinion about that issue.
- A detailed explanation of your reasons for your opinion consisting of several points (at least three or four), each reason presented in one or two paragraphs.
- Evidence from the story and/or your personal experience to support each of your reasons. Each body paragraph should contain such evidence. Often it is very helpful to quote a passage from the story or from some other source as part of this evidence. Remember to give page references for quotations.
- A conclusion in which you summarize what you said throughout your analysis.
Here are several issues that the story explores. Choose one of the following for your analysis:
- Many characters in the novel are not what they seem to be. Choose a character and explain whether he or she is a better or worse character than he or she seems to be at first. Round characters evolve and change throughout the novel. Why do think the author created this character?
- In the novel many characters are loyal to their beliefs, to a cause, or to someone else in their lives. Sometimes this loyalty is very good, but other times it leads people to do and think very nasty, evil things. Decide whether this story presents loyalty as a good thing for people to practice or a bad thing and give your reasons. As you explain your decision, use examples from the novel to support your comments.
- How do the major conflicts in the novel develop and conclude. What is the moral or message that the author is trying to deliver through the various conflicts in the novel?
- How would you categorize your novel’s genre? What do you notice about the characters, conflicts and themes of genre novel compared to other novels genre’s you have read.
PART 3 GROUP MEDIA PROJECT AND ORAL PRESENTATION25 MARKS
PART 3THE CREATIVE MEDIA PROJECT
Collaborate with your peers about your chosen genre of novel. Look at the similarities and differences about characters, conflicts, plot, symbols, setting and themes in the various novels and then draw conclusions.
As a group, introduce your type of fiction to the class in a creative way-
For example if you are reading murder mystery novels, tell us about the various authors and explain what makes a good mystery novel. Dress up like Sherlock Holmes and have the class complete a mystery word search to find information.
OR
Find a common research topic related to your novel. Present a 10 minute powerpoint to the class of your findings or design your own newspaper or magazine which highlights your topic. For example if your genre includes a lot of illness and personal injury, then you (or a group) can research the background of the illness and present to the whole class..
PART 4THE MEDIA RESEARCH PROJECT (25 marks)
For this part of the project you will be working in a group of four or five people.
You will spend three periods in the library researching a topic and preparing a 10-12 minute presentation.
THE LIBRARY PROCESS
WHAT CAN YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS STORY?
The answer is ANYTHING! This is your chance to research a topic related to the novel. You will come to see more clearly why certain characters react the way they do, why they believe certain things, why they value certain things and why they treat others the way they do. You will also learn how their environment affects them and why certain things happen, as you look into conditions they face Generally, as you learn more about the story, you will find it more enjoyable and memorable. One especially important thing you will discover is that all novels become more interesting as you learn more about those elements that affect characters and events in the story.
STEP 1 Choose a topic and explore inquiry questions that you want to answer
STEP 2 Write your proposal and get it approved by your teacher
STEP 3 Research and document all of your findings. Complete a chart of your daily work in the library
STEP 4 Prepare a presentation, making sure it has an audio/visual component
CHOOSING A RESEARCH TOPIC FOR PART 3B
Here's how to go about choosing a topic.
- Think of things in the novel that you would like to know more about. A character may be involved in something that you think you might find interesting. Jem really likes playing football, for example. Thus football in this era in this part of the U.S. may become your area of research.
- Make a list of topic ideas. When you can't think of any more possibilities for research, choose one. Your topic may even be related to other subject areas such as history or geography or the work force. The possibilities are endless.
3. Once you have your topic (you should spend about 15-20 minutes deciding on one) decide what you would like to find out about that topic. If the topic is football, for example, you might want to know:
- when the first game was played
- how it was invented and who invented it
- where it is/was played
- who the great players are/were
- differences in the game in various parts of the world
- other games similar to it
- how did it differ in Jem’s era from the way it is played now?
Your list will be much longer, of course, but this gives you an idea of how to go about deciding what to do to plan your research. Once you have your list of things to research, you are ready to go to the library and begin your work.
YOUR PROPOSAL:
First of all you must make sure that your topic is different from the topics that other groups in the class have chosen to do. Any overlap or repetition of material or ideas between your group’s presentation and that of another group will be severely penalized.
On the other hand, if you see a connection, or a contradiction, between the work your group has done and that of another group, that is a very good thing to point out in your presentation and will be rewarded generously.
At the end of your three periods in the library, you will hand in a proposal for your oral presentation which will include:
-a clear statement of the topic you have researched
-the aspects of the topic you have looked into
-an account of information you have found
-a BIBLIOGRAPHY CHART of sources of information that you found useful for your research.
IN THE LIBRARY
You will have five periods to do your research and to prepare your work. You should spend three periods in the library finding information, and two periods in class putting it together into a presentation.
The material you gather must come from a variety of sources. You must use at least three of the following:
- information from computer sources
-internet
-on-line encyclopaedia
-other sources of computer information available in the library
- books in the library
- magazines, newspapers, journals
- interviews with people familiar with the topic you are researching.
THE ORAL PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
Whether or not you choose to complete a creative media project or the research project, you must present your final product to the class. With your teacher, decide what to include in your presentation; you might want to create a multi-media composition, or some other product that you and your teacher agree to. Your presentation should be ten to twelve minutes long, unless you and your teacher negotiate a different arrangement.
You might consider using any of the following as part of your oral:
-a debate
-dressing in costume
-delivering a monologue
-a collage
-a book talk
-visual material you produced as part of your written project, if it fits with the topic of your presentation
EVALUATION
You will hand in your planning work at the end of your presentation. Your teacher may decide to collect some or all of this at the end of the three library periods
A. Your process work will be evaluated for -general effort while in the library-sticking to the task