World Literature Choice Novel Projects

Three per semester

1st due by September 28th

2nd due by November 2nd

3rd due by December 6th

 

Since this is an accelerated junior level course, designed to prepare you for AP, these projects are designed to give you a strong foundation in a variety of literature. The expectation is that you will read the book, not use some other method to get the information.  You have the talent and expertise to do this, so use your own ideas. For this project, you will be doing three pieces.  These are formal assignments, so keep your language formal.  You must use proper citation (MLA format with a works cited page) for your quotes.

 

The first paper will look at the novel as a literary piece.  Choose one aspect of the novel to analyze.  Some ideas are characterization, themes, or symbols.   Think about what drew you to the book or what keeps it interesting.  This would be a good place to start.

 

Make sure you have a good thesis statement.  I would like to see these at least a week before essays are due.

 

You may use a five paragraph essay structure, or if you are comfortable branching out from that, you are welcome to do that.  I am happy to look at rough drafts up to two days before the due date.

 

Example thesis statement:  Barbara Kingsolver uses an interesting narration style to give a variety of perspectives by using four different narrators, Rachel, Leah and Adah, and Ruth May throughout the novel The Poisonwood Bible.

 

The second paper is a research paper on one aspect of the novel. You may focus on the time period, an aspect of the culture you are reading about, an historical event, or any other piece of the book that interests you.  You should have at least four sources for this research and make sure they are documented with a works cited page using MLA format.  I would like to see your topic for this research at least a week before you the paper is due.  Your goal in this paper is to evaluate if the novel is an accurate or inaccurate portrayal of the specific aspect of the culture or event.

 

Example thesis statement:  In The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver accurately portrays the misunderstandings Americans have of the African farming customs.   (Keep in mind just one aspect of the book, otherwise it gets to be too much to try to analyze.)

 

The last piece of this project will be to do two presentations, during the second six weeks, the third for the six weeks. We’ll discuss more about these later, but be aware of them and think about what books you’d like to use.

 

Paper length:  3-4 pages each

Remember to keep the language formal and do not use first person (I, In my opinion…)

 

Persuasive Essay Rubric

Area

                        Criteria

Score

4....3....2....1

Always ...........seldom

Student Score for each area

Introduction

includes a hook to get the reader's attention

-

-

15 possible

background info provided (optional)

-

-

 

thesis statement is clear

-

-

First Argument

15 possible

Topic sentence states the reason.

Elaboration to back the reason is clear and persuasive.  Three or more quotes or paraphrases properly documented.

-

 

-

-

 

-

Second Argument

15 possible

Topic sentence states the reason.

Elaboration to back the reason is clear and persuasive.  Three or more quotes or paraphrases properly documented.

-

 

-

-

 

-

Third Argument

15 possible

Topic sentence states the reason.

Elaboration to back the reason is clear and persuasive  Three or more quotes or paraphrases properly documented.

-

 

-

-

 

-

Conclusion

10 possible

Paraphrase of main points

Restate thesis statement.

Personal comment or a call to action.

-

 

-

 

-

-

 

-

 

-

Mechanics

Sentences make sense-complete but not run on sentences.

-

 

-

-

-

 

-

-

15 possible

spelling

-

-

 

capitals, punctuation (space after punct.!)

-

-

 

Works cited page: Should have at least five sources: the novel and four others.

-

-

 

 

-

-

 

 

Literary Analysis Essay Rubric

Area

                        Criteria

Score

4....3....2....1

Always ...........seldom

Student Score for each area

Introduction

includes a hook to get the reader's attention

-

-

15 possible

background info provided (optional)

-

-

 

thesis statement is clear

-

-

First Argument

15 possible

Topic sentence states the first elaborative

Elaboration to back the reason is clear and persuasive.  Three or more quotes or paraphrases properly documented.

-

 

-

-

 

-

Second Argument

15 possible

Topic sentence states second elaborative

Elaboration to back the reason is clear and persuasive.  Three or more quotes or paraphrases properly documented.

-

 

-

-

 

-

Third Argument

15 possible

Topic sentence states the third elaborative

Elaboration to back the reason is clear and persuasive  Three or more quotes or paraphrases properly documented.

-

 

-

-

 

-

Conclusion

10 possible

Paraphrase of main points

Restate thesis statement.

Personal comment or a call to action.

-

 

-

 

-

-

 

-

 

-

Mechanics

Sentences make sense-complete but not run on sentences.

-

 

-

-

-

 

-

-

15  possible

spelling

-

-

 

capitals, punctuation (space after punct.!)

-

-