Outside Reading Assignment

Learning involves sharing information. Because it is impossible for each of you to read 75 books this year, you will each read only one book (on your own) and then share with the class what you have read.

You will read specific books I have already chosen for you.

Follow these simple rules and you will receive the full amount of credit:

1. Read at least 25 pages every week and write a 50-word summary of the crucial elements to the novel. The summaries will be due on Mondays and will cover what you read Monday-Friday of the previous week.

2. On the following Friday you will turn in a written report on your book. Your written report will be due December 7. The guidelines for the written report are attached.

3. Be sure to keep all of your materials together. You will need the summaries later when you prepare your written report.

4. Beginning Monday, December 10, each of you will give an oral presentation of your book. Your report should last between 4-6 minutes. Be sure to discuss basic plot, theme, setting, characters, etc. An additional page is attached to detail what you will need to discuss.

5. Do a good job! The written report is worth 100 points and the oral report is worth 70 points. Each summary is worth 10 points for a total of 50 points. The total assignment is worth 220 points. Good luck!

6. Again, this is outside reading. Little time will be given in class to accomplish this task. You may ask me questions about the assignment if we have time in class or always before or after school.

7. I have read the books used for this assignment. Therefore, it will be impossible to fake your way through the work!

Due Dates:

Summaries: October 15, October 29, November 19, November 26, and December 3.

Written report: December 7

Presentations begin: December 10

ORAL REPORT GRADING SCALE

Your Oral Report will be graded according to the following:

Your oral presentation lasted between 5 and 7 minutes 1 through 7 _____

Your oral presentation included a discussion of setting 1 through 7 _____

Your oral presentation included a discussion of characters 1 through 7 _____

Your oral presentation included a discussion of basic plot 1 through 7 _____

Your oral presentation included a discussion of theme 1 through 7 _____

Your oral presentation included a discussion of conflicts 1 through 7 _____

Your oral presentation included a discussion of resolutions 1 through 7 _____

Your oral presentation included a discussion of mood 1 through 7 _____

Your oral presentation included your personal reaction to the novel 1 through 7 _____

Your oral presentation was prepared and well organized 1 through 7 _____

(You cannot read from your written report, you can use notecards if necessary, but you should have the majority of your report committed to memory)

Total points out of 70 Points: _____

TYPED REPORT GRADING SCALE

Your report will be graded according to the following:

Your report describes the setting in detail using your own words 1 through 7 _____

Your report includes a minimum of two passages to illustrate 1 through 10 _____

your setting

Your report includes documentation of the location of the 1 through 3 _____

setting passages

Your report includes detailed descriptions in your own words 1 through 7 _____

of the major characters

Your report includes a minimum of one passage to characterize 1 through 10 _____

your characters

Your report includes documentation of the location of your 1 through 3 _____

character passage

Your report discusses the major events (plot) of your story 1 through 7 _____

without re-writing the story from beginning to end

Your report includes a minimum of one passage that illustrates 1 through 10 _____

a significant event in the story

Your report discusses theme telling the theme and then relating 1 through 7 _____

how it was apparent in your novel

Your report discusses the conflicts in your novel 1 through 6 _____

Your report identifies the type of conflict in your novel 1 through 5 _____

Your report discusses how the conflicts were resolved 1 through 6 _____

Your report discusses the feelings that the story expresses 1 through 5 _____

Your report discusses the author's tone 1 through 5 _____

Your report specifies the genre of your novel 1 through 4 _____

Your report discusses your personal viewpoint and whether 1 through 5 _____

or not you would recommend the novel

*Note: For every 100 words you are short of 700, you will lose 10 points from your overall score. Therefore, a 500-word paper can only earn a maximum score of 80/100.
TYPED REPORT GUIDELINES

Each written report must contain the following components. The total value of the written report is 100 points. The report should be a minimum of 700 words and it must be typed.

1. Setting – time and place. In addition to using your own words to describe/tell about the setting, you will also need to include a minimum of 2 passages from the story that illustrate the setting. Document the page numbers of your passages.

2. Characters – major and minor (detailed description). In addition to using your own words, you will also need to include a minimum of 1 passage from the story that characterizes one or more of your characters. Document the page numbers of your passages.

3. Plot – discuss what is happening in the story. (describe actions and events) Include a minimum of 1 passage from the story that illustrates either the climax of your novel or another event in the book that is significant to the progression of the story. Document the page number(s) of your passage(s).

4. Theme – main idea (lesson of the story).

5. Conflicts – Discuss the problems that occur throughout the story. Keep in mind that conflict can be developed from man vs. man, man vs. nature, and man vs. himself. You will need to identify which type of conflict was in your novel.

6. Resolution – Discuss how the conflicts in this story were resolved. Discuss who solves each particular conflict.

7. Mood – Discuss the feelings that the story expresses. (happy, sad, anger, negative, or positive)

8. Author’s Tone – Discuss the author’s attitude throughout the story. Is the author taking a serious tone or a lighthearted one?

9. Genre – What type of literature is this selection? Is it fiction or non-fiction?

10. Discuss what you liked or disliked. In other words, give your personal opinion on this particular selection. Discuss whether or not you would recommend this story to anyone. If you had a favorite line from the novel, you could include it in this section of your paper.