The Essential Question in English 10A & the "Pieces of Me" Pre-Test

10A Important words within the ESSENTIAL QUESTION FOR THIS COURSE

Enduring Understandings

(1) Themes in literature are universal and endure through time and across cultures.

(2) Reading and writing are life-long skills.

(3) Traditions, customs, relationships and life’s experiences play a major role in shaping and changing our character, integrity and self-identity.

Over-Arching Essential Questions

(1) What themes are universal in literature and why do specific themes endure across time?

(2) What makes reading and writing life-long essential skills?

(3) How do traditions, customs, relationships and life’s experiences play a major role in shaping and changing our character, integrity and self-identity.

es•sen•tial [i sénshəl] ADJECTIVE

1. necessary: of the highest importance for achieving something  "It's essential that we arrive on time."  "an essential ingredient"; 2. basic: being the most basic element or feature of something or somebody  "reinforcing the essential organizational framework" ; 3. defining: constituting the property or characteristic of something that makes it what it is

Independent Novel Menu 1: Novel Specific Vocabulary

Part One: Novel Specific “Student-Chosen” Vocabulary Assignment

Choose ONE of the following assignments. Include a title and any necessary headings.

Independent Novel Menu 2: Vocabulary, Literary Terms

MENU TWO: LITERARY TERMS: If you know all of these terms and can prove it with Mr. McLaughlin, you do not need to complete this menu. Everyone will take a paper/pencil exam on these terms at the end fo the two weeks and two weekends.

Independent Novel Menu 3: The Journal Entries

PART THREE: RESPONSE TO LITERATURE JOURNAL ENTRIES

Your task is to complete 10 JOURNAL RESPONSES (single-spaced, half-page, minimum in 12 point font and full-page maximum)to what you are reading. Divide your novel roughly into 10-14 sections (you have two full weeks and two weekends to complete the novel). For each entry include the date and the pages read.

To receive an "A" on this section of the menu, the student must complete 10 journal entries at an "A" level  To receive a "B" the student must complete "8" journals at a "B" level.  To receive a "C" the student must complete a minimum of "6" journal entries at a "C" level.

Independent Novel Menu 4: The Project

PART FOUR: THE FINAL PROJECT

After you have finished your novel choose one project to complete. This project is a chance to challenge your creative side and show what you learned, enjoyed, or pondered on as you were reading. Each student must also complete a writing assignment based on the novel. A grade specific set of criteria can be seen following the list of projects.

Independent Novel Menu 5: Writing the Literary Analysis

GRADE SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR THE WRITING COMPONENT

Your final review must be typed in 12 point Times New Roman font. Your margins must be 1” maximum and the review/theme analysis must be double-spaced. You need to have an MLA heading on the paper. In the opening paragraph, you must include the title and the author of the novel.

Independent Novel Sample Paper

This paper demonstrates a good use of support to prove its point.  The paper, however, could afford to have a stronger attention getter/lead/hook.  So, if you use this paper as a model, be aware that it still needs work.

Be aware, that this typed paper needs to be in Times New Roman 12 pt. font, should be double-spaced, should have an MLA heading and the pages should have a 1" margin.

Hit the "READ MORE" link for some other helpful hints, directions and models. One doesn't need to read all of the links.  Please browse them and find one that best fits your style.

Sample Literary Analyis for Independent Novel

Alyssa Ensminger
Mr. McLaughlin
Literary Analysis
11 September 1998

Deep Desires that Transcend Time

      William Butler Yeats wrote two poems which are together known as the Byzantium series. The first is "Sailing to Byzantium," and its sequel is simply named "Byzantium." The former is considered the easier of the two to understand. It contains multiple meanings and emotions, and the poet uses various literary devices to communicate them. Two of the most dominant themes of this poem are the desire for escape from the hardships of this world and the quest for immortality. These are circumstances of the poet's life that influenced the composition of the poem. Those personal experiences and Yeats's skillful use of words come together to emphasize the need, or at least desire, that many people have for escape and immortality.