English 8: Independent Novel Study

STEPS:

1. Choose a novel that you haven’t read before. It can be any genre that interests you.

(You had a library block November 30th to do this).

2. As you read, take notes that answer these questions as you read:

• Where/When is the action taking place? (setting)
• Who are the main characters? (characters)
• What is their relationship to one another?
• What do they look like?
• What do they act like?
• What are their beliefs?
• Do they change?
• What are the conflicts in the book? (person versus person, person versus themselves, person versus nature, person versus society)
• Is there a theme developing?
• How is the plot developing? Is the action rising? Falling?
• Do you like/dislike the book? Why?
• What do you predict will happen next?
• Did you like/dislike how it ended? Why? How would you have written it differently?

3. Choose your own note-taking format. Some suggestions include: stick-its within the pages, a separate notebook, an audio note file, a vlog or a blog.

*These notes will be given a mark out of 25 that is based on how complete they are and how well they address the above mentioned questions.

4. Read and hand in notes on the novel by January 4th.

5. Propose and create a project inspired by your novel. You will have class time for this project and it is due January 11th. The project will be given a mark out of 25. 

This is a large portion of your Term 2 Portfolio of Work. Invest your time into it!