Independent Novel Project

Independent Novel Project Guidelines: *You will have the chance to choose a novel of interest from a list of provided titles for this project. The goal and expectation of this study is that you, as a student, manage your time and work wisely (similarly to college prep). You will have approximately 2 ½ weeks to read your novel and prepare your study work. There will be select days in class that you will be given 20-30 minutes to read your independent novel; you MUST bring it to class daily, as it will serve as a differentiation tool when you are finished with in-class assignments. You need to be reading a minimum of 20 minutes a night, which is a homework and participation grade. While reading, it is best to take notes and prepare for the presentation.

Possible Texts: 1. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, 1915 (a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, wakes to find himself transformed into a large, monstrous insect-like creature) 2. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, 1899 (The story of savagery and a seaman's work transporting ivory down the Congo River in Central Africa) 3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, 1959 (A response to Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, portrays the clash between Nigeria’s white colonial government and the traditional culture of the indigenous Igbo people) 4. Lord of the Flies by William Golding, 1954 (A story about a group of British boys stuck on an uninhabited island who try to govern themselves with disastrous results) 5. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, 2003 (Graphic Novel: Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution) 6. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane, 1986 (Autobiography: The true story of a black youth’s coming of age in apartheid South Africa) 7. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, 1929 (Deals with the experiences of German soldiers—detested enemies of the English and Americans during World War I) 8. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, 1844 (After being wrongfully imprisoned for fourteen years, a man seeks revenge on his “friends” who betrayed him) 9. Sold by Patricia McCormick, 2006 (Tells the story of a girl in Nepal who is sold into sexual slavery in India)* 10. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, 2007 (A memoir of a 12-yr old boy who is forced into being a child soldier during the Civil War in Sierra Leone* 11. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, 2005 (Narrated by death, the story follows a young girl living with her foster family in Nazi Germany)*

**You may suggest a book if you think you have found something else you are interested in. (The book must pertain to World Literature – literature from around the world, not written by an American author.) ***To obtain a copy of the book you may – purchase it, check it out from the school or local library, or see Mrs. Rennie.

Part I: H.O.T. Presentation Create a Prezi or PowerPoint that includes the six components outlined below. The presentation should demonstrate a high level of thought, analysis, and commitment to the project. 1. Title Slide: Title and author of your book, your name, Mrs. Rennie, Honors English II, and the date of submission. It may be designed/decorated in any way that you choose. 2. Remembering: 1) List and identify with major characteristics, the main characters and significant supporting characters. Independent Novel Project 2) Describe the setting and tell the significant events of the time that may have influenced the writer. This may require some research, and any sources you use must be cited. 3. Understanding: In a one-paragraph response, explain the title of your story. Support your explanation with specific quotations and examples from the text. 4. Applying: Identify a major conflict in the story. In one to two paragraphs, describe it, how it should have been resolved, and why. 5. Analyzing: Summarize and arrange the key events from your story into a sequence of plot steps: Exposition/Rising Incident – Rising Action – Climax – Falling Action – Resolution/Denouement. 6. Evaluating: Write a one to two paragraph response in which you discuss the most important aspect of the story. (This could be theme, symbolism, figurative language, narrative style, dialect, characterization, etc.) Use quotes and examples from the story.

Part II: Creating (Choose 1) 1. Create a journal – with a minimum of five one-page entries – from the perspective of one of the characters in your book that would have been made as he/she lived through the experiences in the story. Imitate their tone and manner of speaking. 2. Write an alternate ending for the book; this must be a minimum of two typed pages. 3. Design and build a mobile with a minimum of ten objects that represent major symbols and key events from the story. Include a type-written key explaining each item and its significance. 4. Depict one significant scene from the story in graphic novel style with a minimum of ten frames. Seven of the ten frames should have dialogue. All colors must be archetypal in nature. Include a rationale for all color choices. 5. Create a professional travel brochure encouraging tourists to visit the setting of the story. 6. Create a 3-D setting map depicting the setting and major locations and events of the play. Locations should be clearly labeled or a typed key should be included.

*Other ideas? Run them by me.

Part III: Presentation Teach us about your book! Give a 3-5 minutes speech. Introduce the book and the author, briefly summarize conflicts and key events (without revealing the ending), speak about the important characters, and explain the title of the book, what you learned, and if you would recommend it. You may use note cards or a “cheat sheet” to help you outline your speech while you are presenting. You are basically telling us about the information you put into your visual presentation, which you can use as an aid. This will serve as a preparatory speech for your sophomore project so that you can become comfortable you’re your peers and yourself as a public speaker!

You will be graded on:  Body Composure  Eye Contact  Volume  Organization  Content  Time Independent Novel Project

*You have approximately 2 ½ weeks to complete this project. Projects are weighted the most for your final grade. If you put the time and effort in, you will do great! Do not wait until the last minute – it will show 

*Due Date: ______