Ms. Bales and Ms.

Robinson
American Literature
Novel Project

Novel Project

Rationale: The purpose of this project is to assess your ability to read, summarize, analyze, and connect
pieces of literature as well as assess your writing skills.

The Assignment: You will choose a novel (a piece of nonfiction or drama may also be acceptable) by an
American author as the focus of your project. You must not be reading or have read the book for
another class. Choose your novel carefully because you improve your chances for a successful project if
you enjoy the book. You must submit your choice to me for approval. The final product will consist of
four parts:

A reading log revealing your engagement with literature

A book review written in a summary/response format
An analysis focusing primarily on the development of one striking element in the novel:
symbolism, characterization, figurative language, or theme, and how that element contributes
to the development of the novels overall meaning.
A connection- a one page analytical paper connecting your novel to another piece of literature
we have read this semester focusing on one of the elements listed above.

Due Dates: Your novel must have my approval no later than 11/3/17. The written portions of the
project are due no later than 3: 45 p.m. on 12/06/17. Because this project will significantly impact your
grade, NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. I need to have sufficient time to assess your project;
therefore, all projects must be submitted by these dates. If you will be absent prior to the due date, Id
advise you to submit your project well ahead of the due date.

Point Values: This project can be a grade maker or breaker! The book review and analysis are worth
150 points each. The log and connection are worth 100 points each. Therefore, the total point value of
the project is 500 points.

Keep in mind that:

There will be no rewrites. Schedule writing conferences if you want help.

The book review, analysis, and connection must be word processed in the essay format.

Project Expectations

The Reading Log: The reading log reveals your engagement with the literature. Furthermore, a detailed
reading log will significantly aid you in the development of the rest of the project. After reading each
section (chapter) of the novel, you should write in your log:

A short synopsis of the action and character development

Your interpretation of the significance of the events occurring in the section
Noteworthy figurative language and other literary elements
Vocabulary unfamiliar words and their meanings
Ms. Bales and Ms. Robinson
American Literature
Novel Project
The Book Review: Unlike a literary analysis, the writer of a review assumes that his/her audience has
not read the novel. Therefore, the first section of the review, the summary, should consist of:

The books identity: author, title, publishing information, genre, intended audience
A short biography of the author
Overview of the background and context of the work
The thesis and major themes the novel reveals
Major internal and external conflicts
Description of major characters and their roles
A summary of the novel with sufficient detail to familiarize your readers with it (be careful not
to compromise the suspense or reveal the ending)

The second part of the review, your detailed response, should consist of:

Your assessment of the bookstyle, language, plot, etc.

Your experience reading it. How did it make you feel?
Your opinion of the issues the author raises in the novel
Your recommendationaudience, quality, etc. Who should read it and why?

Note: Because you are being asked to express your opinion, you should use first person point of view.
Remember, you should transition to your response, and your response should be significantly longer
than your summary.

The Literary Analysis: We will review literary analyses prior to the submission of this component of the
project. Your analysis should be at least 2 pages long written in academic voice (formal writing).

1. Your essay must cover the topic you are writing about.
2. Your essay must have a central idea (stated in your thesis) that governs its development.
3. Your essay must be organized so that every part contributes something to the readers
understanding of the central idea.

The Connection: You are to write at least a single page connecting your novel to another piece of
literature we have read this semester. You may focus on theme, characterization (specifically the growth
in a character), or figurative language.

If you are reading or have read the novel for another class, if you plagiarize any part or all of this
assignment, you will earn a zero on the entire project and may fail American Literature. You will sign a
contract soon stating you understand the following consequence, along with your parent/guardian.

Thanks,

Ms. Bales and Ms. Robinson