Six Weeks Outside Reading Assignment “Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.” ~Edmund Burke~

Quick Links: I.OverviewOverview II.DatesDates III.Book ListBook List IV.Book DescriptionsBook Descriptions V.MWDS FormMWDS Form VI.Rhetorical Devices with DefinitionsRhetorical Devices with Definitions VII.Book report OptionsBook report Options VIII.MLA Citation Generator I.

Overview The purpose of outside reading is to foster a personal habit of reading for pleasure. To this end, you are asked to read two books per six weeks, and to compose a report about your chosen book. We have provided a list of themed fiction and nonfiction books for each six weeks. However, it is up to you to choose which book you wish to read. The list is extensive. The first book of each six weeks will be nonfiction, the second fiction.

Outside Reading Reports Once per six weeks, you must turn in a Major Works Data Sheet. (Form explained later in presentation.) Once per six weeks, you will turn in an alternative project. –I will tell you which project is to be done each six weeks, though you may choose which project is done for which book. The details of these book reports can also be found online. Read over them carefully, and well in advance, some of them are more time-consuming than you might expect.

1.You must read one nonfiction book from the Approved List 2.You must read one fiction book from the Approved List. 3.You must prepare one MWDS 4.You must prepare one “Choice” book report The way you combine the above books and reports is up to you, but you must turn in one book report every three weeks. So when do I do what? Non-Fiction MWDS Choice Report Fiction

When is it due? Every Three Weeks… but more specifically: Fall Semester: 1 st six weeks: 9/3-9/9 9/24-9/30 2 nd six weeks: 10/15-10/21 11/5-11/11 3 rd six weeks: 12/3-12/9 1/7-1/13 Spring Semester: 4 th six weeks: 1/28-2/3 2/18-2/24 5 th six weeks: 3/21-3/25 4/8-4/14 6 th six weeks: 4/29-5/5 5/20-5/26 About the Dates: Please note, the window for turning in the project opens on a Thursday, and closes on a THURSDAY, not Friday. If you are absent, for example, on Sept. 9 th, the book report is late when you return as you had 7 days to turn it in. Do NOT wait until the last minute.

So What Can I Read? Each six weeks one of six themes will be assigned. –Each theme is a different tab on the spreadsheet below. Choose one book from each list to read, Nonfiction first.

MLA Citation: for now, use a citation generator – Basic Information: –Significance of Title: What does the title mean, how is it important? –Author’s Nationality: can influence a work as it is reflective of the author’s background; this is where they are from, not their race (answering with the author’s race will result in a 20 point deduction) Setting: –Social Environment: how does the social setting influence the events? (ex: private high school, Southern Mississippi in 1825, Cold War Russia) Plot: –Organization: does the book go in chronological order? Does it jump around? How does this effect the story? Characters: Descriptions of five characters or figures from the book, and why they are important. Rhetorical Strategies: (use Flip Chart &/or Rhetorical Devices PPT) –Strategy: Name of Device/Strategy –Text: Quote where it appears in the book –Function: Definition of Strategy –Significance: Why did the author choose that specific strategy? Genre: Fiction, Sci-Fi, Romance, Mystery, Biography, etc. Style: What are some of the distinguishing characteristics of the author’s style? Theme: –What is the book about? Answers MUST be TYPED So What’s On the Major Works Data Sheet?

And the “Choice” Book Reports? One Choice Book Report will be assigned for each six weeks. –Though each book report is ‘assigned,’ each report has certain elements that can be tailored to your individual book or style. –Detailed instructions are on the embedded file.

Choice Book Reports Overview (overview ONLY, consult detailed instructions before attempting) Book to FilmBook to Film: write a script with soundtrack, or create a Photo Story of your book Dialectical JournalDialectical Journal: a handwritten journal including summaries, questions, and rhetorical devices for each chapter Collage:Collage: choose eight rhetorical devices to represent in pictures, and explain each choice (Glogster) iSearch:iSearch: write a research report on something from the book that piqued your curiosity. Essay:Essay: one of four options for an AP style essay concerning the book’s theme and plot Book LogBook Log: choose five logs (from twelve) to complete over your novel, creating a booklet Poster:54321 Poster: visual book report with specific elements

A Little Practice – Extra Credit for the 1 st six weeks only Major Works Data Sheets over any two previously studied works You may turn in up to three works, which will be counted as extra credit for this first six weeks ONLY. (5 pts each) Titles should be from works that you have studied in high school (i.e. The Odyssey, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, Night, etc.).

Book Qualifications aka: “What about this book that isn’t on the list?” Book Recommendations Must: –Fit the theme for the six weeks, and –Have a Lexile level of 1100 or greater, See for ratings. You can also search the library database according to lexile. –Be approved by me in advance. Generally limited to books you are reading for other classes or adult novels that do not have lexile levels.