How To Write A Novel

Transcription

1 Independent Reading Project You will be reading a book outside of class twice each semester this year. The books you choose MUST be listed on the AP s list of frequently cited books. Plagiarism or cheating in any way will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of -0- for the entire project. No more than 10 of the same books can be chosen in a semester by all the classes in a semester. Please be aware there may be books within this list you may find objectionable. Carefully review summaries of possible books to find the ones that are most suitable or interesting. Theme Family, Social Hierarchy, or Evil Discrimination, Growing Up, or Journey Evil, Murder, Racism, or Discrimination Racism, Oppression, or Troubled Love Date test on September 8 th and project presentation on September 29 th test on November 3 rd and project presentation on December 1 st test on February 9 th and project presentation on March 2 nd test on April 13 th and project presentation on May 4 th Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Test Make your own typed 65 question test with an answer key. 10 character matches 15 true/false 20 multiple choice 10 major order of events 5 questions that require a paragraph in response 5 quotes that require a paragraph to explain significance Pass a 60-minute, in-class essay test with a 2 sentence introduction and conclusion and with full three paragraphs full of concrete evidence from the book. This one involves extra credit on top of it because it requires more work. Create an ibook using ibook Author. It needs to include the following: vocabulary, interactive questions at the end of the chapter, study guide questions off to the side, pictures, relevant video, audio. Project Individual Character Map Create a map detailing who the character is and his/her road to destruction (tragedy) or road to happiness (comedy). Label each significant place the character traveled to throughout his/her journey. Journal Entries Write the diary of two main characters, focusing on the feelings and personal questioning and rationale of the inner workings of the characters. Comic Book Create a series of 40 drawings that show a significant event in the novel. Partner Newspaper Write 4 articles each about important events from the book. The articles shall be written as if they are from a reporter in real time. Rap Divide the book into four parts. Write 1 rap battle (both people must rap in a battle) for each section. Each battle should be at least 2 minutes long, so the entire sequence should be 8 minutes total and performed in front of the class. Have a script ready. Group of 3 Music Divide up the book into four sections. Write songs with verses and choruses that fit the plot. Perform and record. Music and lyrics need to be your own. Movie Make a 5-minute movie of all the major scenes. Facebook Page Select 3 main characters and design a page, picking out pictures and then creating information that would tell a viewer about your character. Use the Facebook Template to complete this activity.

2 Presentation In addition to presenting their project to the class, the students will provide a summary of the novel, whether they would recommend it or not, and how it relates to the themes in the current novels read in class. This is a FORMAL presentation, so the quality of your presentation is important and will be graded. This means speaking clearly, maintaining eye contact, avoiding filler words, having good posture, knowing your information, not reading a prepared statement, etc. Presentations should be 4-5 minutes long, so plan your time carefully

3 *Max of 3 people per book per class. Fall 1(Of Mice and Men, Lord of Flies) Extra Points to Donate (ISBN #) Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevski David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Tess of the D Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes Jasmine by Bharati Mukherjee Silas Marner by George Eliot Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys The Good Earth Pearl S. Buck Ox-Bow Incident by Walter Van Tilburg Clark (have class set) (have class set) Fall 2 (Part-Time Indian, Odyssey) The Aeneid by Virgil (translated by Robert Fitzgerald) The Iliad by Homer (translated by Robert Fitzgerald) Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe The Adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow Great Expectations by Charles Dickens One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Cat s Eye by Margaret Atwood Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte A Separate Peace by John Knowles (have class set) Spring 1 (Night, Animal Farm) One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn Obasan by Joy Kogawa Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens The Handmaid s Tale by Margaret Atwood Black Boy by Richard Wright Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi Maus I and II by Art Spiegelman All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque White Fang by Jack London The Learning Tree by Gordon Parks (have class set) (have class set) (have class set) Spring 2 (Romeo and Juliet, Things Fall Apart)

4 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Emma by Jane Austen The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Master Harold...and the Boys by Athol Fugard Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Map Create a map detailing who the character is and his/her road to destruction (tragedy) or road to happiness (comedy). Label each significant place the character traveled to throughout his/her journey and at each place write a paragraph or two detailing what methods the character used on the way to destruction/happiness. How does this character impact the lives of others? Focus on the various traits of the character that motivates him/her. The design should include images and drawings to represent key moments that tie to the symbolism, and it should include words and sentences from the book. Component Conflict and Character The elements are strong, detailed, researched, and accurate. The elements are good, detailed, and accurate. The elements are present, somewhat detailed, and accurate. Only one element is clearly shown. The elements appear random or inaccurate. Layout All the parts and words are very neatly organized. All the parts and words are neatly organized. Most of the parts and words are organized. Some of it is organized. The pictures and text look very random. Skill/ Effort The drawings either show great skill or effort. The drawings either show good skill or effort. The drawings either show moderate skill or effort. Drawings show a little effort or skill. The drawings show no effort. Pictures Printed pictures fit in well with drawings and text. Great pictures. Printed pictures tie in well with drawings and text. Good pictures. Printed pictures tie in okay with drawings and text. Good pictures. Printed pictures tie in okay with drawings and text. Blurry pictures. Printed pictures are either absent, very blurry, or completely don t fit in with design

5 Extra Features

6 Character Journals Write the diary of two main characters, focusing on the feelings and personal questioning and rationale of the inner workings of the characters Two Characters Point of View The writing focuses very well on feelings, personal questioning, and rationale for the actions. Each character is presented differently. The writing focuses on feelings, personal questioning, and rationale for the actions. Each character is presented differently. The writing somewhat focuses on feelings, personal questioning, and rationale for the actions. Each character is presented a little differently. The writing barely focuses on feelings, personal questioning, and rationale for the actions. Or each character things the same way. Little is shown that is different from the book. Summary The story features the major scenes of the book, and it includes them well. The story features the major scenes of the book. The story features most of the major scenes of the book. The story misses many of the major moments Creativity The story contains many creative details and/or descriptions that add to the reader's enjoyment. The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that add to the reader's enjoyment. The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions, but they distract from the story. There is little evidence of creativity in the story. Word Choice Writer uses vivid words and phrases. Writer uses vivid words, but occasionally they are used inaccurately or seem overdone. Writer uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks strength. Writer uses a limited vocabulary that does not capture the reader's interest. Editing Little to no editing is Light editing is Moderate editing is Extensive editing is Length Total of 5 pages. (2 ½ per character.) Total of 4 ½ pages. Total of 4 pages. Total of 3 ½ pages.

7 Comic Book Rubric Reimagining/ Creativity The new world is original and has very creative ideas. The new world is has some good ideas but doesn t quite fit with the book. The new world has little originality. The comic book is way too similar too book. Book Elements The comic deals with all elements: disability, exclusion, American dream, tragic end. The comic deals with most elements: disability, exclusion, American dream, tragic end. The comic deals with some elements: disability, exclusion, American dream, tragic end. The comic deals with only one or no elements: disability, exclusion, American dream, tragic end. Dialogue/Narration All of the dialogue/ narration fits the poem. Most of the dialogue/ narration fits the poem. Some of the dialogue/ narration fits the poem. Little of the dialogue/ narration fits the poem. Drawing Detail Vivid pictures show the characters and the setting around them. Some vivid pictures show the characters and the setting around them. The chac racters are detailed but the background is not. The story doesn t show much detail. Length The comic has more than 40 total panels for each scene. The comic has 35 panels for each scene. The comic skims most of the major parts from the poem. (30 total) The comic skips most of the major parts from the poem. (25 total)

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9 Name: Figure: 3 character Facebook Rubric Each Page has a total of 10 points. 10 = high effort, story accuracy, creativity, & good format 8 = good effort, mostly accurate details, some creativity, & good format 6 = low effort, many inaccurate details, little creativity, & weak format 0 = no changes from original template Wall 2 Pages 2x10) Basic info Status updates, Friend comments / 20 News Feed Timeline for characters perspectives of major events / 10 Messages Private conversation between two characters / 10 Wall 2 Pages 2x10) Basic info Status updates, Friend comments / 20 News Feed Timeline for characters perspectives of major events / 10 Messages Private conversation between two characters / 10 Wall 2 Pages 2x10) Basic info Status updates, Friend comments / 20 News Feed Timeline for characters perspectives of major events / 10 Messages Private conversation between two characters / 10 Wall 2 Pages 2x10) Basic info Status updates, Friend comments / 20 News Feed

10 Timeline for characters perspectives of major events / 10 Messages Private conversation between two characters / 10 Extra Credit Extra Touches Adding various icons, events page, FB ads, quiz results, etc / (10 pts possible) Rubric Points / 160 ************************************************************************************************************************** Other Requirements The pages need to refer to at least 100 pages worth of characters. You need to make your own answer key on a separate sheet of paper that shows what pages the comments go to. You cannot count a character s pages based on one or two comments. You need to show sufficient knowledge over that character s history and not just a few blurbs. Remember that this is in place of a test. If you skimp out on details, it shows that you may not have finished that amount, so an essay test or a fill-in-the-blank test could be an alternative option.

11 Newspaper Rubric Indiv Category Reporter Articles Article Length Quotes & MLA* Content Person writes articles as a reporter in that time period. At least five articles and three graphics Articles have 125 words each. (625 words total) All articles contain quotes that fit well with the story. (Cited correctly.) Articles focus on novel and on the time period. Researched time articles affect events in the book. Person writes articles as a reporter. Four articles and three graphics Articles total 550 words. Most articles contain quotes that fit with the story. (Cited correctly.) Articles focus on novel and on the time period. Researched time articles affect events in the book. * All research material needs to be cited, not just quotes. Person writes most articles as a reporter. Three articles and two graphics Articles total 450 words. Some articles contain quote that fits with the story. (Cited incorrectly) Articles are either all from the novel or all from research. Person writes some articles as a reporter. Three articles with no pictures Articles total 350 words. Only one article contains a quote OR quotes are not cited. Articles somewhat relate to the novel/ time period. Group Editing Pictures Organization Little to no editing is Pictures are focused, wellcropped and clearly related to the articles. The newspaper is very organized, and it looks professional. Light editing is Most pictures are focused and clearly related to the articles they accompany. The newspaper is organized, and it looks kind of professional. Moderate editing is Most pictures are blurry or are not placed well. The newspaper is organized, but it doesn t look professional. Extensive editing Pictures do not relate to the articles. The newspaper has very little organization. It looks sloppy. Not written as news articles. Two articles Articles total 349 or lower. No quotes. Articles do not relate to the novel/ time period. Extensive editing needed on very short articles. No pictures. It looks sloppy. Also, the articles are very short.

12 Movie Rubric Acting Reimagining/ Creativity The new play is original and still reminds the audience of the original. The new play is somewhat original and still reminds the audience of the original. The new play is not very original but still reminds the reader of the original. We re supposed to change the play? Action All participants included relevant, meaningful action to the dialogue. Most participants included relevant action to the dialogue. Most participants included some relevant action to the dialogue. We re impersonating trees. Equal Parts All participants have the same amount of speaking parts. All participants nearly have the same amount of speaking parts. One or two participants had considerably small parts. She/he wanted to act out the whole play. Enthusiasm All participants showed energy. Most participants showed energy. Most participants showed a little energy. Check the group for a pulse. Technical Soundtrack Music matches story very well & doesn t distract from the story. Music matches story fairly well & doesn t distract from the story. Music either doesn t match the story, or it distracts from it. Little to no music added. Length The group met their time or went past it. (5 minutes) The group nearly met their time. (4 minutes) The group met at least 2/3 of the required time. (3 minutes) We re timed for this? (2 minutes) Script The script includes all the parts, and all actors have their own script in hand. The script includes most of the parts they acted out, and all actors have their own script. The script is actually a summary or collection of notes, or the actors have to share a script. What script? Extra Touches Special effects are used at the right time and add to the story. Special effects are mostly good and somewhat add to the story. Special effects either distract from the story or appear at unnecessary times. What special effects?

13 Song Rubric Write and perform a song for each chapter, including your own lyrics, singing, and music. The songs must be original and not incorporate music or lyrics from somewhere else Songs The 4 songs are original and still reminds the audience of the novel. The 4 songs are mostly original and mostly reminds the audience of the novel. The 3 songs are somewhat original and somewhat remind the audience of the novel. The 2 songs have little connection to the novel. Instruments The instruments and backgrounds are original. They also sound good and are distinct from song to song. The instruments and backgrounds are original. They sound pretty good and are mostly distinct from song to song. The instruments and backgrounds are original. They sound a little too similar from song to song. The instruments and backgrounds are not original. OR they are the same in the songs. Singing The vocals are original. They also sound good and are distinct from song to song. The vocals are original. They sound pretty good and are mostly distinct from song to song. The vocals are original. They sound a little too similar from song to song. The vocals are not original. OR they are the same in the songs. Technical Effort/ Quality The songs sound very good or it sounds like they took time to rehearse. The songs sound pretty good or it sounds like they took a little time to rehearse. The songs are okay but they mainly sound as if they had no rehearsal time. The songs aren t practiced and do not sound very good. Lyrics The songs are all written out with both the verses and the chorus. The songs are mostly written out. The lyrics are mainly a list of ideas. What lyrics? Time Length Each song is at least 4 minutes with 3 songs. The total soundtrack should be at least 12 minutes. Each song is at least 2 ½ minutes with 4 songs. The total soundtrack should be at least 8 minutes. Each song is at least 1 ½ minutes with 4 songs. The total soundtrack should be at least 6 minutes. The songs are either under a minute or are there not enough songs.