Independent+Novel+Analysis

code INDEPENDENT NOVEL ANALYSIS

As the name implies, independent study will involve you in reading a novel and then selecting a series of activities to be completed during the class time devoted to independent study. You will be      required to complete three progress assignments and one final project. You may do three journals if you are still reading the novel, three assignments if you are finished or a mixture of      journals and assignments depending on your progress.

You will be evaluated on the following:

--your progress during the class time given over to the novel. This will be assessed through interactions in class discussions and by submitting logs or assignments as you go along.

-- the final assignment(s).

It may take you a long time to read a novel. It is obvious that you will need more time to read the novel than will be given in class. Therefore, begin reading the novel at the beginning of the unit but finish reading it at home and then complete the assignments in      class.

1- The Log or Journal. This will be done if you have just started or not finished your novel on the first day of the independent study unit.

A- During the last class of each week, you will submit a response to the novel based upon what you have read up to then. Each log entry will include the following at the top of the entry.

Your name. The name of the novel The date. The pages covered in the log entry.

EACH JOURNAL ENTRY MUST INCLUDE THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND BE MORE THAN 250 WORDS. THIS MEANS THAT YOU WILL WRITE ABOUT 250 WORDS PER JOURNAL AND SUBMIT THREE JOURNALS.

B- Evaluation During the last class of each week, you will hand-in your journal for marking. It may be marked in the class by the teacher or marked and then returned at the beginning of the next class. It      will be marked on the basis of length and thoroughness. This will form about 50% of your mark.

C- Contents of the journal:

At the beginning of your log, these are some questions to consider: Why did you select this novel? What information did you need to know before reading the novel. What has happened before the novel began? What's going on as the story begins? Who is telling the story? What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or      could the novel be happening anywhere? Why? What is the initial or first problem faced by the main character? How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest?

Towards the middle of your novel, these are some possible questions:

What plot twists or unexpected events happen as the novel goes on? Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events? Is the language in the novel difficult or easy? To what age group is the novel aimed? Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it      shown? Describe any new characters that are introduced? What is their purpose?

Near the end of your novel:

What is the climax of the novel? How are the major and minor conflicts solved? What were the major things which helped to resolve the plot? What message did you get from the novel? How was this message conveyed? Is the novel believable? Why would you (or why wouldn't you) recommend this novel to a      friend? Why did (or didn't) the novel meet your expectations?

PROGRESS ASSIGNMENTS-- These will be done if you have finished most of your novel and are not doing the journal. Hand in each as you complete it. This will be marked and then handed back for filing or correction. You must hand in each progress assignment as it is completed. You will have about two weeks (five classes) to complete this section.

ACTIVITY #1--PLOT

Write a short plot summary of your novel. This should be      about 250 words. Include information such as where and when the story happens, who is telling the story and whether or not you enjoyed the plot and your reasons.

ACTIVITY #2--CHARACTERIZATION

1- Choose an important character.

Write the following: Write a sketch of the character and include: --appearance. --actions --ideas-- what the character thinks. --manner-- how the character acts. --reactions of others to the character. Why is s/he important in the novel. Would you like to be the main character? Why or why not? Would you like the main character for a friend? Give your reasons.

ACTIVITY #3-- YOUR REACTION

1- What message did you get from this book? --for whom was the book written? --do you think that the author was successful in getting the message across? Why? 2- Good and bad points about your novel. Write a review of the novel and give good reasons as to why a friend should or should not read the novel. INCLUDE EXAMPLES FROM YOUR NOVEL TO SUPPORT YOUR REVIEW. 3- Any other comments that you would like to make, such as whether the novel is part of a series or is it the only one by the author, and whether you will read any more by this author. 4- Did the novel help you in any way?

FINAL ASSIGNMENT

Pick one of the following. Feel free to make up your own assignment as long as you have it approved in advance.

1- Find a movie which dealt with a similar theme or subject and write a review of it explaining why it is like your novel.

2- Do a review of another novel with the same theme or subject and write a review of it explaining why it is similar to your novel.

3- Do a collage of newspaper articles or photographs and write an      explanation of how it relates to your novel.

4- Write an alternate (better?) ending for the novel.

5- Write a short story based upon the same theme, subject or      characters as the novel that you read.

6- Draw a map of where the story takes place and label all of the important places. On a separate sheet of paper, explain how the places were used in the novel. 7- Find a song or poem, one of each, or several songs and poems that relate to the theme or subject of your novel. Write out the words/lyrics and then explain how it or they relate to your novel. Or you could write a song or poems and then explain them.

8- Interview one of the characters and then write out your interview. You might pretend that you are a writer for People magazine.

9- Write a newspaper story about what happened at the end or during a part of your novel This will be a news story. Include a photo if you like.

10- Write an autobiography (life story) of the author or one of the characters.

code