Below, you will find the text of the paper I went over in class and am passing out to the kids as they finish reading their books. There is also a story arc that goes with Part A. They will need to get that from me in paper form. Remember: READ EVERYTHING; FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS! I hate having to take of points for not following directions!
Classics Reading Assignment – Due no later than October 14
A book of
“literary merit” stands up well to analysis.
The first time you read anything, you should enjoy the story and get the
“gist” of the story. Then, you can
re-read it as much or as little as necessary for analysis.
In class, we
have done all the activities you are being asked to do with “The School Play”
and “Aschenputtel”. You also have the
green Literary Lexicon for reference.
Now that you
have read (and I hope enjoyed) your classic tale, go back into the book for the
following analysis. You may do A-E in
any order you wish; be sure to do them all.
You may do them on paper or on the computer (may be printed out or
shared via Google Docs). Your final
product can be organized any way you wish.
BUT, carefully read the requirements and rubric to be sure you receive
full credit!
Reminder: A QUOTE is taken word for word from a text –
it might be dialogue or it
might be narration. A quote taken from a
book does not have to have been inside quotation marks in the original
book. (See examples with Part B.)
A: Fill in the
story arc/Freytag’s Pyramid for your book.
Give a quote from the book to prove which point of view it is told from
(1st or 3rd are all I need for this particular
assignment.)
B:
1. Draw your
character with as much detail as you can – based
on the book’s descriptions – NOT based on the cover – which is designed to
sell books, not represent the actual novel.
(Save room for the quotes!)
2. Around
the character, write 3 quotes that
show a CHARACTER/PERSONALITY TRAIT
that the character has. Be sure to put
the quote in quotation marks, with the page number in parenthesis. Also, write the trait ABOVE the quote.
EX: “Nor will he give up digging about in my
past” (68). [This was narration in the
book.]
EX: “ ‘You’re such a lucky lad to know all this…’
“ (68). [This was dialogue in the book.]
C: Write a
statement of theme. Remember, this is a
truth about life that the author wants to convey. The theme must be supported with at least two quotes from the book.
D: Copy down and
identify TWO examples of literary devices (for example:
metaphor, simile, imagery, allusion, irony, personification, hyperbole). Then
explain how the author uses the literary device you identified. In other words,
what is the author’s purpose in using that device?
Sentence
Frame you may use:
________________
used this ____________________ in order to make the reader
____________________________
(author) (literary
device) (think, feel, understand, believe, guess, etc.)
EX: “In
spite of the destruction, it was a beautiful sight. I did not imagine a fire could burn so fast
or so hungrily as the fires the natives have set today” (220). Karen Hess
used this personification of the fire in order to make the reader understand
how quickly the fire burned and how large an area it covered. The crew felt as if the fire were trying to
devour their camp.
E. Write a brief
review of the book. What did you like
about the story? What didn’t you like? Who might you recommend this book to?
EX: The best
part of Stowaway is the humor and adventure. I enjoyed learning about the world and the
people and animals that inhabit it along with Nicholas. I thought some of the entries while he was
hidden and then when the men were sick drug out further than necessary and
interrupted the flow of the story. I
think people who like history and exploration would enjoy reading this book,
but people who expect their adventure to be non-stop action will find it slow.
Rubric
______ (5)
The first PAGE (paper or electronic) contains a complete, correct heading.
______ (5) The
first PAGE (paper or electronic) contains the title (underlined) and author of
the book
______ (20)
Part A – Every section/part of the story arc is filled in. The protagonist and antagonist match with the
conflict and the conflict matches the climax.
The point of view has a direct quote for evidence. Quote is in the
proper format.
______ (20)
Part B – Drawing matches the book’s physical description of the protagonist as
far as is available in the book.
Character traits are not emotions and are supported by evidence from the
book. Quotes are in the proper format.
______ (15)
Part C – The theme matches the book and is supported by evidence from the book.
Quotes are in the proper format.
______ (20)
Part D – Literary devices are correctly identified. Author’s purpose is a
reasonable analysis the device’s purpose in the book. Quotes are in the proper
format.
______ (10)
Part E – Review includes specifics of what you liked and disliked and a
specific audience for the book. Direct
quotes are not required, but if included, must be in the proper format.
______ (5)
This rubric, with your name written above the word rubric, is turned in with
paper copies of the project OR
is turned in with the following words highlighted: “Shared in Google Docs”
