Book Report

^9th      NAME______________________________DATE ___________________

                                               

Book Report

Please take the book report seriously and do your best work to finish out this semester. This is the last part of your SSR grade.  You may choose your own topic but it needs to be pre-approved with me. TURN IN THIS PACKET WITH YOUR FINAL PAPER.

The topics you can choose from are the following (circle ONE):

TOPIC 1:  Often characters show love and compassion towards others.  Analyze the compassionate actions of one or two characters.  What is the author suggesting we do differently in our own lives by following these examples?

TOPIC 2: Motifs play a significant role in books.  Choose one motif, discuss how it’s used to create meaning, and analyze the author’s purpose for using it.

TOPIC 3: Trace the change and transformation one of the main characters.  What are we supposed to learn about life from this character?

TOPIC 4: There are moments of sacrifice in most novels. Analyze moments of sacrifice and discuss what we are supposed to learn about life from these examples?

REQUIREMENTS:

-          your typed literary analysis should be between  2-4 pages; you can’t do this well in less than that

-          Manuscript Rules – look at the rubric to format your document using Word. I will review formatting in class.

-          this will be written in 3rd person so using personal pronouns (he, she) to refer to characters is acceptable

-          FOR THIS PAPER DO NOT use “I” and DO NOT use “YOU/YOUR”

-          Since this is a formal essay, DO NOT use contractions – they’re informal

-          write in the present tense and be consistent about it; characters in novels are considered living, breathing human beings

-          5 quotations (w/citations) from the novel (for maximum points).  Quotations should support your thesis.

SCORING: (100 pts. for the Final Draft)

DUE DATE: No later than: Friday, December 7th at the beginning of the period. 

NOTES ABOUT THESIS STATEMENTS

Keep these things in mind when writing a thesis statement:

1.                 A thesis is NOT the whole essay; a thesis is the main idea, often expressed in a single sentence. 

2.                 A thesis can also be thought of as the main argument of your paper

3.                 A thesis should NOT be a laundry list of your main points

4.                 It should merely set up the topic and give any general information the listener needs to know. 

5.                 Every topic paragraph should clearly support your thesis – create strong links that return to what you are explaining throughout your paper.

There are three kinds of thesis statements:

           

1. SIMPLE: Usually more descriptive and generic in nature

SPECIFIC SUBJECT + SPECIFIC FEELING[S]/FEATURES[s] = THESIS

EXAMPLES:

·           The history of the United States is dominated by lust for money, possessions, and power.

·       Unexpecting, average people like Mrs. Dubose, Atticus Finch, and Link Deas all show the real meaning of courage without the supernatural powers or fancy costumes throughout the novel.

2. INTERMEDIATE: Usually more complex; addresses the larger message/call to action

AUTHOR + VERB + CHARACTER/SYMBOL/THEME/DEVICE/ETC. + PICK FROM BELOW + POINT

to discuss, in order to, to examine, to relate, concentrates on, to trace,

to see if, to show [shows,] to prove [proves,] to determine, to explain,

to argue [argues,] to persuade [persuades]

EXAMPLES:

·         Harper Lee uses references to flowers as a symbol to prove that in times of despair one can always find beauty.

·         Harper Lee illustrates the theme of childhood innocence through her young characters to represent the fact that things are not always as clear as they may seem to be.

       3. ADVANCED: This developed thesis includes contrast and may use words like therefore or although. With this type of thesis sentence, you will want to include the part and whole.

EXAMPLES:

• Though many people wait for an extraordinary person to stop injustice, Lee passionately argues it is the courageous acts of average people that change society for the better.
• Ralph’s inability to lead exposes man’s inherent evil nature in the face of adversity.

Book Report   RUBRIC

 

 

 

Formatting: Presentation

Manuscript Rules:

name, course & class period, date, the first line, upper left corner

all margins set at 1 inch

there is a creative title, centered, w/blank line above and below

capitalize 1^st, last, and all important words in title

title is not larger or in bold, underlined, no quotes, all caps., etc.

essay is double-spaced; no extra space between paragraphs

Times New Roman 12 pt. font for all text including title and heading

paragraphs are indented; 1 tab

page numbering

name (header) at the top of each page

5              all manuscript rules were followed (10)

4              one or two errors with manuscript rules (8-9)

3              a few errors with manuscript rules (7)

2              several errors with manuscript rules (6)

1              many errors with manuscript rules

 

Formatting: Research Skills

Proper Citation: (Hugo 38). – unless name is mentioned in intro. then use (38).

Passages that appear in Book Report text as less than 4 complete lines:

Introduced with a comma

enclosed in quotation marks

followed by proper citation (as above)

Passages that appear in Book Report text as 4 complete lines are more:

                Introduced with a colon

                NO quotation marks (unless you’re quoting dialogue then use single quotation marks)      

Double indented & single-spaced

                Followed by proper citation (as above)

5              ALL evidence is properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

4              MOST of the evidence is properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

3              SOME of the evidence is properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

2              FEW pieces of the evidence are properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

1              LESS THAN 3 pieces of evidence are properly documented, spaced, punctuated, etc.

 

 

Conventions

10            spelling, capitalization, punctuation are correct

                grammar and usage are correct

8              spelling, capitalization, punctuation are mostly correct

                minor errors with grammar and usage

6              several errors with spelling, capitalization, punctuation

                some grammar and usage errors are repeated in a few places

3              spelling, capitalization, punctuation errors occur often but the message remains clear

                many grammar and usage errors but the message remains clear

                some fragments & run-ons present

1              spelling, capitalization, punctuation errors occur often and interfere with the writer’s message

                grammar and usage errors occur often and distract from meaning

                many fragments & run-ons present

 

 

Content: Ideas/Support

20            5 effective/purposeful quotations are included

All integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

16            4 effective/purposeful quotations are included – 1 may be ineffective

Most integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

12            3 effective/purposeful quotations are included – 2 may be ineffective

Some integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

8              3 effective/purposeful quotations are included –

Few integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and linked to the topic/thesis

4              2 or less effective/purposeful quotes are included –

2 or less integrated well and thoroughly analyzed and/or linked to the topic/thesis

Content: Organization

10            well-written introduction, including an opener and thesis statement adequately introduces the essay

                ALL topic sentences help to introduce/transition each body paragraph and refer back to the thesis

All  body paragraphs end with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis

well-written conclusion that leaves the reader with something to think about

                evidence of smooth, effective transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and ideas

8              introduction, including an opener and thesis statement clearly introduces the essay; may be awkward

                ALL topic sentences help to introduce/transition each body paragraph and refer back to the thesis - one may be awkward

All 3 body paragraphs end with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis; one may be awkward

conclusion attempts to leave the reader with something to think about

                a variety of transitions exist in and between paragraphs; pacing is developing

6              introduction introduces the essay; may be missing a component or unclear, or thesis may be more than one sentence

                MOST topic sentences help to introduce/transition each body paragraph and refer back to the thesis - one missing or

may not link back to the thesis

MOST body paragraphs end with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis; one missing

or may not link back to thesis

conclusion concludes the essay; may be missing a component, unclear/awkwardly written, or may not indicate a deeper meaning

                the transitions sometimes work

3              introduction is attempted but may need a lot of work

                A topic sentence helps to introduce/transition one body paragraph and refers back to the thesis; two may be missing or may

not link back to the thesis

A body paragraph ends with some type of clincher that analyzes the support & links back to thesis; two may be missing or

may not link back to thesis

conclusion is present but needs a lot of work

                missing or unclear transitions force the reader to make giant leaps

1              no introduction or no thesis statement

                no topic sentences are present to introduce body paragraphs or no topic sentences refer back to the thesis

no body paragraphs end with a clincher  or none of the clinchers link back to thesis

no conclusion

no transitions

Total ______/ 50 x 2=

                                                     

Sample Book Report

Ms. Student

Mr. Scandrett

English 12^th

May 13, 2012

Fatalism in Slaughterhouse-Five

            The events that happen in our life are all the effects of the choices that we make. One can choose to do something and this choice will affect the course of their life. Everything in life has been established and people simply choose a path that they wish to follow. There are many outcomes from a choice that one makes, but only one course will occur. Despite all these choices that we make there is one inevitable thing that we can never change and its death. The novel “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut, tells the reader that in order to face death one must embrace fatalism.       

            “Slaughterhouse-Five” relates the entire life of Billy Pilgrim. He is a normal man that amazingly has the ability to time travel. He jumps to different moments in his life and has no control over this extraordinary ability. The wonders of his life are not limited to time traveling. He is abducted by aliens and taken to their planet, Trafalmadore, where he learns a whole new philosophy on time and death. This philosophy eventually helps Billy cope with life after the devastating fire-bombing of Dresden, where tens of thousands of people died. In this novel, Billy learns how to embrace fatalism and accept his death without remorse. His acceptance of this new philosophy is seen through the following quote “I Billy Pilgrim, the tape begins, will die, have died and always will die on February 13, 1976 (Vonnegut, 70).”  He then proceeds to describe other details of his death.  Even though he knows how and when his death takes place he makes no attempt to prevent it. Billy Pilgrim learns through his experience that fatalism is inevitable. 

            A major plot of this novel is the firebombing of Dresden. The reader would expect to have some sort of hero in the story. On the contrary the reader is presented with Billy Pilgrim. He is weak, fearful, incompetent and shy. He is a weak character in mind and in body. In attempt to teach him how to swim his father throws him into a pool but Billy prefers to sink rather than swim, revealing his weak character and mind; he makes no attempt to even try to swim. (43) He is weak in body that he is described as a filthy flamingo. (33) “Saved your life again...Weary said to Billy […] It was absolutely necessary that cruelty be used because Billy would not do anything to save himself. Billy wanted to quit (34).”  Through this quote one can see how weak in mind and body Billy is. Billy did not have enough will power to continue on with the hardships presented to him. He needed a constant force to push him to try and work harder. The novel presents the reader with a weak character with a purpose. This reveals how even the weakest person can eventually face death. 

            The novel is written in a very unique manner. It has no regard for chronological order; there is no linear progression. Everything is presented as a whole. Regardless of the fragmented format Billy Pilgrim's life the book still ends the same way and fulfills its purpose. This reveals that everything is already planned and chronological order has no effect on how things result. In the beginning of the novel the ending is revealed to the reader. “It ends like this: Poo-tee-weet (22) ?”  This shows that regardless of the events that take place, the end of the novel will end the same way. The ending of the novel has been set and nothing can change it. The following quote, “He came slightly unstuck  in time, saw the late movies backwards, then forwards again. It was a movie about American bombers in Second World War and the gallant man who flew it (74).”  proves that the order in which events happen have no influence on the bigger occurrences. No matter how Billy Pilgrim views the movie, the purpose of the movie was to show the war to its viewers.

            The war in the novel symbolizes death and the inevitability of change. Billy Pilgrim had no choice but to go to war. “The bombing of Dresden was a great tragedy none can deny […] ponder on the fate of Dresden, where 135,000 people died as the result of an attack with conventional weapons (93).” This quote shows us a part of the war and the number of casualties from the bombing. This event is something that nobody had the power to change. As much as people disagree with it, it still happened. The war represents the events in life that are inevitable. Despite the efforts that people make, the war was still bound to happen. At first Billy Pilgrim tried to avoid and even escape, but as he time traveled and spent time with the Trafalmadorians he learned that change was inevitable. Billy does not know why there must be such atrocious disaster, but he still makes no objections to it, revealing his acceptance of the things that happen.

            Another symbol in the novel are the horses. “[…] that the horses' mouths were bleeding, gashed by bits, that the horses' hooves were broken, so that every step meant agony, that the horses were insane with thirst. The Americans treated their form of transportation as though it were no more sensitive than a six-cylinder Chevrolet (96).” The horses represent how people embrace fatalism. The horses were in terrible pain from the way they were treated yet they simply fulfilled their purpose as means of transportation. They accepted the pain and the suffering that they were going through. Billy Pilgrim had no idea why the war had to take place; he simply obeyed the commands that he was told just like the horses did what they were ordered to do. Billy learned to accept the war as it was without complaining or questioning it. The same way, the horses simply accepted the pain that they were going through. People must simply accept the circumstances because anything that they do to try to change the events will be useless. 

            The prayer on Montana Widhack's, a mistress of Billy on the Trafalmadorian planet, locket is another example of symbolism. It said the following “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom always to tell the difference (102). ” This reveals that people want to have the chance to choose their fate and take control over their lives. Although people want to be able to take control they cannot. Every choice that they make has already been decided for them, it is not a choice, and the choice that people make is just an illusion.

            The phrase “Poo-tee-weet (105)?”  is the last phrase in the book. It symbolizes the end of life, a fate that everyone has. It represents the speechlessness of the people. There is nothing interesting or good to say about war and all negative talk about war is also useless. It will not change anything, because the war has already been destined to happen. “We know how the Universe ends  […] A Trafalmadorian test pilot presses a starter button, and the whole Universe disappears.  […] He has always pressed it, and he always will. We always let him and we always will let him. The moment is structured that way (57).”  The Trafalmadorians know that it is not possible to prevent the destruction of the Universe so they simply allow this course of action to happen. The death of everything is certain so there is no point stopping it from happening. No one can completely understand death. Despite the many encounters with death, Billy still cannot fully understand why it happens. Billy only faces death after he's been in Trafalmadore and learned their philosophy on time and death.

            The death of many characters in the book is ironic. “He […] drafted for military service in the Second World War. His father died in a hunting accident (24).” This passage shows death of Billy Pilgrim's father is ironic, because he is shot during a hunting trip.  His father is the predator during this hunting trip but he ends up dying.  Billy is overcoming the death of a loved one while at war. He has to kill in order to survive but is also hurt by the death of his father. This irony shows that nobody has control of what happens to them. Billy did not have any control over what happened to him and fate took him to war right after his father dies. Another ironic thing that occurs is that Billy Pilgrim survives the war, despite his weakness. Billy survives the war by taking refuge in a meat house. The location in which he takes refuge is a place where killing and death also take place and this is the place where he finds safety. His survival reveals that fate had other things planned for him. He survived the war to tell other people about his adventure in Trafalmadore. Through the ironies in the death of the characters, it is revealed that no one has the ability to change anything. 

            The acceptance of death throughout the book is shown through the phrase “so it goes” This phrase is mentioned after every death in the story. “There used to be a dog Spot, but he died. So it goes (32).”  “There were hundreds of corpse mines operating by and by.  […] But then the bodies rotted and liquefied, and the stink was like roses and mustard gas. So it goes (105).”  These two passage show the all the deaths in the novel were considered equal, whether it was a natural death, an accidental or an intentional death. This phrase allows the reader to accept the death as something unavoidable and as something normal. At the same time though the repetition of the phrase allows the reader to see all the death that occurs and the inevitability of death. 

            Through Billy Pilgrim and his experience in the war and in Trafalmadore the reader can see that everything in life has been predestined and one must accept the fact that nothing can be changed. Since everything has been predestined, then death is simply another part of life. Billy Pilgrim comes to realize this which is why he is at peace. He faces death and makes no attempt to change it. Once a person realizes that they can do nothing to change the events that are to happen, they will also be able to accept death much more easily.

Grammar 17/20  

Intro 10/10

Body 10/10

Conclusion 10/10

Analysis 33/35

Critical Thinking 15/15

95.  

Study Guide

9^th Grade Study Guide

Be familiar with all of the following stories/journals.  How do they connect to one-another?  The test will not have any surprises.  What we covered in class will be covered on the test.  Yes, you need to be familiar with all the vocabulary (from units 1-8).  Also, remember the important parts of a paper.  What parts of a paper help you organize/clarify?

Terms/Literary Devices

Journal 16: Slam, Dunk, & Hook; The Spearthrower; Shoulders

Read pages 198-201.  Slam, Dunk, & Hook by Kumunyakaa; The Spearthrower by Morrison, and Shoulders by Nye.  What are some poetic devices you see in the poems? How do they add to the meaning or feeling of the poem?  Explain how you can use such poetic devices to add to your own poetry.  3 quotes minimum. When you are referring to a particular poetic device (type of figurative language) make sure you identify which line and which story the poetic device comes from.

Journal 15: Old Man of the Temple by R.K. Narayan

Read pages 176-181.  Then answer the journal question with a response of at least 3/4 page.

How does the narrator pursue understanding (try to talk to Doss) rather than acting on what he sees as "normal" (Doss is crazy)?  Why do you think Doss is disillusioned?  Do you think the narrator is a "rational man" or a "feeling man"?  Why?  Give at least 2 quotes from the story.  Explain your answers.   

Journal 14: The Road Not Taken by Frost and The Road Not Taken by Angelou

Read pages 166-170.  Compare how the two others describe the journey of life.  How are their experiences/views similar and different?  Give at least 2 quotes.

Journal 13: The Golden Kite, the Silver Wind

Read pages 152-156.  Do you think the people made the right decision in following the Mandarins advice?  What is the moral of the story?  What symbols are evident in the story.

Journal 10 and 11: The Birds by Daphne du Maurier

Read pages 47-55. What predictions can you make? : The Birds

Read pages 56-64.  What diction (word choice) does the author use to show that Nat is nervous about the birds violent and erratic behavior?  What are some details that are mentioned that could foreshadow what is to come?  Can you recall a time you were scared and other people were unsympathetic? bout the birds and Nat Hocken?  What do you think could cause such a change in the birds nature? 

Journal 8 and 9: The Red-Headed League

Finish the story (page 99).  What details did Holmes observe that helped him solve the case?  What were some clues Watson (and you) overlooked?  How did Doyle create suspense in his short story? Provide at least 2 quotes from the textRead until page 92 at the end of the first paragraph. Where is says, "...introspect. Come along!"

The journal question is...Describe Holmes and Watson's interaction.  What do you think about Holmes actions and words?  What details give you clues about the Red-headed League? Explain. Use at least 2 quotes.

Journal 7:

A woman was having a baby and there are complications. She goes unconscious.  Then you (the doctor) must make a decision.  If you do not abort (kill) the baby the woman will die.  If you do abort (kill) the baby the woman will most likely live.    What do you do?  Which ethical perspective correlates most with your view (either utilitarian or moral)?  Why did you make this choice?

Journal 6: The Most Dangerous Game

What does Rainsford do to escape and ultimately win the game?  Was what he did right or wrong?  Explain using 2 examples (quotes) from the text.

Journal 5: The Cask of Amontillado and A Tell-Tale Heart

After reading The Cask of Amontillado and A Tell-Tale Heart write a reflective journal on the theme of revenge/violence.1. Based on the stories: What caused revenge/violence?  What were the benefits?

2. Based upon your experience: What are the consequences of revenge/violence?

Journal 4: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. Read The Lottery and relate the story to the Hunger Games. How might Suzanne Collins have been inspired by this story?  Or, relate the The Lottery to the Bible. How might The Lottery have been inspired by the Bible?

Journal 3: Read "I Have a Dream" pg 140. Answer the question:   What is the tone of the speech? 

Journal 2: Read "On The Sidewalk Bleeding" by Evan Hunter.1.  What does the main character discover about himself?2. What is the tone of the story?

Journal 1 Nelson Mandela speech pg 443-445 in textbook. What is the tone of this speech?  What specific words demonstrate the tone?

Vocabulary Unit 1-8

Unit 1

Admonish           breach                  brigand                 circumspect        commandeer     deadlock              debris                   diffuse                  dilemma              efface   muddle                                opinionated       perennial             predispose         relinquish                salvage                 spasmodic           spurious               unbridled

Unit 2

Adjourn                               alien                      comely                 compensate                       dissolute              erratic

Expulsion             feint                      fodder                         fortify            illegible     jeer        Lucrative         mediocre             proliferate                subjugate            sully       tantalize     terse       unflinching 

Unit 3

Abridge                                adherent             altercation          cherubic               condone              dissent                 eminent                exorcise               fabricate              irate       marauder            obesity                

Pauper                 pilfer     rift          semblance          surmount            terminate            trite       usurp

Unit 4 abscond  access   anarchy                                arduous               auspicious           biased   daunt    disentangle

Fated    hoodwink            inanimate            incinerate            intrepid                                larceny                 pliant

Pompous             precipice              rectify   reprieve               revile

Unit 5    accomplice          annihilate            arbitrary               brazen  catalyst exodus facilitate incorrigible

Latent   militant                 morose                                opaque                                paramount         prattle  rebut     reprimand

Servitude            slapdash              stagnant              succumb

Unit 6    atone    bondage              credible                defray   diligent doleful                  ghastly                  hamper

Hew       impoverished    incessant             intricate               lucid       posthumous      prim       sardonic

Superfluous       supplant              taunt     tenacious

Unit 7 adieu        advent  apex      assimilate            bogus    exorbitant           interim inundate              malign

Meander             metropolis          momentous       obstreperous    pensive                                perilous                shoddy

Sprightly              surly      tirade    vagrant

Unit 8 assurance               asylum                  console                                dilate     dross     dwindle                                flippant

Immunity            institute               liability                  preposterous    pugnacious         rabid      realm

Rejuvenate        remunerate       sparse                   sterling                 venture                                warp