SSR Novel Project

 

Deadline: ______________

 

            The SSR Novel Project is an independent student project that requires the use of your SSR novel. In order to better understand the novel you read on a regular basis, you will complete this project, which will be submitted on the deadline listed above. This project has 3 elements, all of which must be completed in order to receive full credit.

 

SSR Novel Project:

  1. Double-Entry Journal—20 entries for the entire novel.
    1. 1 entry= 1 passage + 1 response
  2. Creative Project—Your choice from the list below.
  3. Theme Essay—Select 2 themes present in your novel and give 2 examples for each theme. See sample attached.

 

The Double-Entry Journal: Select and copy 20 passages from your novel that are significant to the novel’s development. Then explain what was significant about these passages under the response column. See sample below.

 

Your paper will look like this:

 

Name __________________________

Date_________________ Per. ______

 

Double Entry Journal:           (Title of Novel; must be underlined)

 

 

Passage

Response

Here you copy down an interesting passage from your novel. Make sure you place quotation marks around the passage you select. Don’t forget to write down the page number!

Number each set of passages and responses 1-20.

Here you write down why the passage was significant. What literary element does it show? (character, plot, conflict, theme, setting, etc.)  You can also write down your opinions about the passage or predict an outcome for the story or a character’s behavior. Write at least 3 sentences.

1. “The two enemies stood glaring at one another for a long silent moment. Each had a rifle in his hand, each had hate in his heart and murder uppermost in his mind.” Pg. 9.

This passage deals with character because it describes how strongly these two men hate each other. It describes the two men as murderous, angry men waiting to see who will make the first move to fight. I think that if one of the men provokes the fight, then the other man will have every right to defend himself and kill his enemy.

 

 

 

 

The Creative Project: Select one project from the list below. Written projects MUST be typed and double-spaced.

 

 

  1. Create a narrative line poster for your novel.
  2. Select 3 important moments in the protagonist’s life. Write a letter to the protagonist at each of these moments (3 total letters). Ask questions, offer advice if the protagonist is going through a problem, or merely offer your opinion about issues/events that the protagonist has had to deal with.
  3. See #2 above, but write 3 letters to the antagonist.
  4. Create a visual poster that best represents the conflict(s) present in the novel. In a paragraph, explain what is going on in your poster.
  5. Illustrate/sculpt the setting of the novel based solely on descriptions from the novel. Copy down the descriptions you use and attach it to your drawing as a reference.
  6. Illustrate/sculpt the protagonist or the antagonist of your novel based solely on descriptions from your novel. Copy down the descriptions you use and attach it to your drawing as a reference.
  7. Build a miniature stage set that could be used for the most important scene in your novel. Write a paragraph in which you identify this scene, explain why it’s important, and state why your stage design would work for the novel.
  8. Select your favorite scene and adapt it for the stage. This means you will rewrite the scene as a play. Write stage directions, offer background information, add or delete character dialogue as you see fit. At least 2 pages long.
  9. Write a poem based on your novel and illustrate it. Suggestion: focus on a specific character, conflict, event, symbol, or theme.
  10. Create a reader’s guide of your novel for future students. What must they know about this novel? Explain characters, plot, conflict, climax, resolution, symbols, and theme.
  11. Create an advertisement (hard copy or film) that will entice future students to read this novel. In a paragraph, explain why this ad will work.
  12. Write a theme song (the music and/or song lyrics) for this novel. Tape your song or burn a copy of it on CD/DVD. You or a friend can perform it.
  13. Write a news article for one of the most important events/conflicts in your novel. Use a real news article from a newspaper as your model.
  14. Come up with your own idea and submit it to the teacher for approval before you begin. Personal projects will not be accepted without prior approval.

 

 

 

 

The Theme Paragraphs: Identify two themes in your novel. For each theme you select, write a clear, well-detailed paragraph in which you identify the theme and give 2 examples of the theme. See sample below.

 

Example:

 

                               In Saki’s “The Interlopers,” one of the themes present is forgiveness. Despite the fact that both Ulrich and Georg really hate each other in the beginning of the story, both men eventually see past their differences. For example, after Ulrich takes out his wine flask to have a drink, he looks over at Georg and realizes that Georg is also in pain and so he offers him a drink. This moment between the two men shows that at least Ulrich can let go of his anger long enough to see that an enemy can also feel pain. Upon seeing this, Ulrich makes his first attempt to offer friendship by offering Georg wine. A second example that reveals the importance of forgiveness is when Georg begins to tell Ulrich of the things they will do once they are free from their trap, such as go hunting together. This instance shows how these two former enemies can look toward the future and make plans as friends; they actually look forward to spending time together. Therefore, it is clear that the two enemies who wanted to do nothing but kill each other in the beginning of the story, have come to understand how important forgiveness and reconciliation can be to end a past feud.