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Character to Author Letter Competition
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Character to Author Letter

Instructions to Compete

Individual Event

Limit 1 entry per chapter

Objective:

Students will create a letter from a character of a book of their choice to the author of that book.

Anchor Standards:

Method of creation:

Document (must be PC compatible) Recommend MS Word or PDF Format. (File will be uploaded to Tome through submission form)

Guidelines:

  1. Should be written in proper letter format
  2. Should be written in formal language (i.e. no LOL’s, etc.)
  3. Should have perfect grammar and spelling
  4. 500 words or less

Method of Submission:

Fall Adviser Competition Entry Form

All entries must be submitted by:

Fall Competition Deadline. See tomesociety.org/competitions for current year’s deadline. .  Entries must be submitted by the Chapter Adviser to the Canvas Adviser group -- only 1 entry per chapter/level (3-5), (6-8) and (9-12).

Product should include in any order:

  1. Proper letter format
  1. Include all parts of a letter: date, address of recipient, salutation, body, complimentary closing, and signature
  1. Description of events in book that involved chosen character
  2. Reflection of the events from the perspective of the chosen character
  3. Question(s) to the author from the character
  4. Suggestions for the author about what the character would change about the book
  5. Any other personal additions to make it your own

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Character to Author Letter

Competition Rubric

Student submissions will include the following and will be judged on the quality of each category. Letters must use formal language and correct grammar as well as be written in 500 words or fewer:

ELEMENT

Exemplary

Proficient

Unsatisfactory

POINTS

Proper Letter Format (10)

The letter is written in proper letter format.  Includes date, address, salutation, body, complimentary closing, and signature. (10 points)

The letter includes some of the proper parts of a letter but not all.t (1-9 points)

Letter is not written in proper letter format and does not include necessary parts of a letter.  (0 points)

Reflection of the Events from the Perspective of Chosen Character (20)

The letter includes a detailed reflection (positive or negative) on the main events that involve the chosen character from that character’s perspective (20 points)

The letter includes a reflection on some of  the main  events that occur in the book, but the reflections are not detailed or some of the events are not reflected upon.  (1-19 points)

The letter does not include a reflection on the main events of the book from the perspective of the chosen character. (0 points)

Questions to the Author from the Character (20)

The letter includes at least 3 appropriate questions from the character to the author.  (15-20 points)

The letter includes 1-2 appropriate questions from the character to the author. (1-14 points)

The letter does not include questions to the author or the questions are not appropriate. (0 points)

Suggestions to the Author

(20)

The letter includes at least 2 appropriate suggestions for changes the character would make to the book.  (15-20 points)

The letter includes 1 appropriate suggestions for changes the character would make to the book.. (1-14 points).

The letter does not include any suggestions for changes, or suggestions are not appropriate. (0 points).

Creativity/ Personal Touches (15)

The letter includes detail, language, and other details that make it creative and unique to the character. (10-15 points)

The letter  is not creative, engaging and/or in a unique style of the character. (1-9 points)

The letter is repetitive, unengaging, and rote (0 points)

Grammar (20)

The letter has perfect grammar and spelling in formal language (no LOL’s). (20 points)

The letter has 1-4 grammar/spelling/language errors (1-19 points).

The letter has more than 5 grammar/spelling/ language errors (0 points)

TOTAL

____/105

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Student Book Choice Character Letter to Author

Classroom Lesson Plan

Unit:

Tome Society

Unit Objective:

Students will be able to participate in competitions and conferences in order to showcase their knowledge with reading comprehension and technology.

Lesson:

Create a Letter from a Book Character to the Author

Lesson Objective:

Students will create a letter from a character in a book they have read to the author of that book.

Standards:

Tools/Equipment Needed:

Novels of the students’ choice, Word Processing Software/Online Tool, Computer/Mobile Device with Internet Connection

Links to Prior Knowledge/Activities:

Students will have already read their chosen book..

Lesson Activities:

  1. Teachers will begin by reviewing the novels the students have read and selected for this lesson and will remind students of the Tome Society and what events they will participate in the future.
  2. The teacher will then provide instructions on how to create a letter and give students the guidelines concerning their letter. The teacher will then provide a clear example of what an appropriate letter looks like while highlighting exactly which items each student should include. The teacher will also take time to review the rubric in which the students will be graded.
  3. Students will then work to create an incorrect fake letter which they will then present to the class to highlight 1-2 problems their letter might include and how they can fix the problems. From these presentations, the students will create a list of appropriate and inappropriate letter items which will be compiled into a handout for the students to use in their creation of the letter.
  4. Students will then have opportunities, both in class and outside of class to complete their assignment. The teacher, other students, and discussion boards will be able to assist and guide students with their letter.
  5. As students submit an initial letter, other students will peer review the project. The student will then be able to correct any problems they might have encountered.
  6. After any corrections, students will submit their final project which will be graded both by their teacher and by the judges of the Tome Society Character to Author Letter competition, using a rubric.

Assessment

The students’ letters will be graded according to a rubric and the finished product will serve as the assessment.

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