Week Ending March 22

One more time, this is what is due on March 30:

All of the following is due by next Fri. March 30. I would prefer to have assignments handed in during class, but Friday is the last possible date for this.

1. title page ( include title of book/author/border/drawing/your name)
2. 3 summaries of book (beg/mid/end)
3. novel sheet #1 (why you chose book/vocab/setting) only sheet that does not need to be typed
4. Character sketch ( written description of main character)
5. Plot graph ( include plot line graph and point form main points corresponding to the graph)

6. Novel extension assignment (creative project) Students were to choose ONE project from the handout/list. Example: board game, brochure, timeline, map, film etc. Please check the marking criteria to make sure you have included all the components. For some projects these components will be integrated into the project, for others like the shield/poster they need to be added to the backside of the assignment.

The following other work which is at this point overdue, but still needs to be handed in by Mar. 30 includes:

Norse myth package
Loki mth sheet
Percy Jackson movie review
Creative writing piece on setting favourite place

Plot structure

What is plot?

A plot is the sequence of events that make up a story. Aristotle stated that plot structure had "a beginning, a middle and an end". But it is much more than simply the telling of events one after another. A plot needs a motivating purpose to drive the story to its resolution, and a connection between these events. If you watch a movie with a string of unconnected scenes, you will probably be frustrated because the plot makes no sense. Unless these scenes are tied together in some way, it will be very hard to make a real story out of it. So, we should say that plot is the CAUSAL( meaning purposeful) sequence of events that make up a story. Of course, this "sequence" doesn't necessarily have to be in order - detective stories, equals or thrillers can often work backwards or jump from one event to another - but at the end of the day, everything should come together. 

About plot by Kaitlin Davis: Check it out,click here

Students your last component to your assignment is to complete a plot graph of your novel. On Kaitlin Davis' page, she explains the beginning part of the plot graph with something referred to as an Exposition...which in class I called the Inciting incident. It might also be called the beginning or initial problem...it depends on where you get your information from, there are many terms to describe it.

DUE DATES: Another Reminder: We will be working on the novel studies all next week. I would  like to get all of the following work in by the end of next week:
( Most of this work should be done by now except for plot)

• 3 summaries from the novel (250 wds each approx.) (Beg/Middle/End)
• Title Page
• Novel sheet #1 (why you chose the book/vocab/setting)

• Character sketch of your char. in the book

• Plot graph from the book( include the drawing as well)

The novel creative package will be due the week following, which is the last class before break.

Week of March 12

Good morning students...no power today means you can all be reading or working on your novel study package. I will remind you that the following will all be due by March 29 ( before you go away for March Break) Anyone leaving early should hand in their work before they leave.

Extended Novel project to be handed in: The last class before March break

Need to complete!

1. Three short summaries of your novel...one from the beginning, middle and end. Divide the book up wherever it seems logical. When I say short, I mean no more than 250 words for each summary. The summary should focus on the main plot action.

2. A) Novel sheet : Title page, hand drawn include title of book, author, border and a main image from your story.
B) Novel sheet #1: Setting ( we worked on this in class, make sure it is complete)
C) Novel Sheet #2:  Character ( I just assigned this last day) See detailed instructions below
D) Novel Sheet #3: Plot ( We will learn about this later this week)

3. Extended Novel Package: Students are to choose a creative  assignment and complete the required criteria connected with their chosen assignment. Please follow the criteria for the assignment as well as the marking criteria. Note to parents: This assignment was handed out in class over a month ago and students have been given time to read their novels in class. If your son/daughter needs another copy of this assignment please get a copy from me as soon as possible.

Novel Sheet #2 Character

Description of Assignment; Students are to write a detailed character description of the main character in their novel. One page in length should be long enough to complete this assignment.

As we discussed in class, we learn about a character in the following ways:

• description of physical traits (red hair, tall, good looking)
• description of personality traits ( kind, courageous, good friend) 
• what the character says to others 
• what is said about a character by another character or by the narrator
• by what the character does (their actions)
• likes/dislikes

Other ideas we discussed in class:

Protagonist - The most important character in a story; hero, central character, leading role, “good guy.”

Antagonist- The character who opposes the hero, or protagonist, and provides the story's conflict; villain, enemy, “bad guy.”

Flat character- suggesting one dimensional

Round character- suggesting multidimensional, a lot more to the character with regard to depth

We also discussed that it is fine to present information about a character, but it is also important to back up our ideas with proof/examples. For example, if I said, Harry Potter is a courageous hero...I would want to find an example from the novel which suggests this idea. So I might write...Harry Potter is a courageous individual, this is shown on many occasions when he battles the evil forces of Voldemort.

Short example of what I am looking for:
Although Harry Potter looks like a typical 12 year old, slightly geeky with dark hair and black rimmed glasses, he has many qualitites that separate him from the average pre-teen. First he has exceptional special powers which grants him wizardry status. As Potter heads off to wizard school, he makes some good friends. Throughout the novel, we begin to realize his loyalty toward these friends, for example, ....