Summer Reading Assignment English 10

Transcription

1 Summer Reading Assignment English 10 A coming of age story is a subgenre of literature and film that focuses on a character s personal growth from adolescence to adulthood. A coming of age story focuses heavily on a character s change in thought and behavior. Engaging characters experience conflict and have to adapt to hardship. They learn the harsh reality of life, and are forced to conform to society while trying to maintain their individuality and unique characteristics. They learn how to function in their world as a productive and positive element or they help to bring about change in the existing state of affairs of a world or society where oppression reigns. Coming of age literature: The coming of age aspect of a novel is usually reflected in the protagonist rather than the plot and setting. In fantasy and science fiction stories more than often the protagonist is on a psychological and spiritual journey more than just an exciting adventure. Coming of age is also the driving force of many non-fiction narrative memoirs. Coming of age films: Use of dialogue to propel the plot forward. Dramatic and emotional character responses. Use voice over to show thought shots or internal dialogue. Use of flashback to explain character choices and motives (often to compare past and present day). Themes and ideas in coming of age literature and film: Metamorphosis is a fancy way to say that a character is dynamic and undergoes a lot of change during a story. This change can be of the mind (psychological), the soul (spiritual), or the body (physical). The bildungsroman is a specific subgenre of coming of age. Bildungsroman focuses on the protagonist s moral growth and entry into society. Common themes include: o Loss of innocence o Maturation o Sacrifice o Sexuality o Political and Social change o Self-identity o Individual versus society

2 English 10 Summer Reading Assignment: Watch: One of the coming of age films listed below and read one of the coming of age novels from the list below. You may sway from the list; however, be very sure that your selection is a coming of age story. Coming of Age Movies: Stand By Me (1986) The Sandlot (1993) Teen Wolf (1985) Rebel Without a Cause (1955) Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993) Radio Flyer (1992) Big (1988) A River Runs Through It (1993) School Ties (1992) White Water Summer (1987) Labyrinth (1986) Almost Famous (2000) Finding Forrester (2000) She s All That (1999) Space Camp (1986) Coming of Age Novels: An Ember in the Ashe by Sabaa Tahir Mosquitoland by David Arnold Belzhar by Meg Wollitzer The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger Into the Wild by Jon Krakaeur Warriors Don t Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals (nonfiction) The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Deadline by Chris Crutcher The Blind Side by Michael Lewis (non-fiction) Speak by Laura Halsey Anderson Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Enders Game by Orson Scott Card The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Essay Directions: Write an essay that compares and contrasts the metamorphic transition of each of the two main characters mind, body, and soul. How are they similar and how are they different? Use direct examples (evidence) from the novel and film to support your thinking. Use the graphic organizer and writing checklist provided to help you with your analysis. Turn in the assignment to your 10A teacher. Include your graphic organizers along with your essay. Sharing photos of your graphic organizer or sharing your google doc with friends is not a smart choice. Be sure to submit YOUR OWN BEST work. This is your first opportunity to show your understanding and mastery of the concepts from 9 th grade English to your new teacher. This assignment will be submitted on Turnitin.com, so make sure that you cite appropriately!

3 Character #1: Novel: Author: State Beginning End Metamorphosis: A change in a character from beginning to middle to the end of a story. They character takes on responsibility and learns hidden truths about human nature and life. Mind: A character s mind or their personality traits are a very important aspect of coming of age. A character starts off one way and through the course of a story begins to change for the better (can sometimes be for the worse). Body: As a character progresses they face physical obstacles. This opposing force is sometimes another person but can be the environment itself. Physical confrontations are exhausting and can alter one s drive. In the classic sense, a physical change is an alteration in appearance or looks. Physical change is conventional in science fiction and fantasy stories and usually leads to societal ridicule and discrimination. Soul: A character often struggles with a lack of faith in oneself, family members, or society as a whole. They lose trust in humanity and feel worn out or used. Sometimes the confliction may revolve around spirituality in the classic sense where the character struggles with one s religious beliefs or traditional customs.

4 Character #2: Movie: Director: State Beginning End Metamorphosis: A change in a character from beginning to middle to the end of a story. They character takes on responsibility and learns hidden truths about human nature and life. Mind: A character s mind or their personality traits are a very important aspect of coming of age. A character starts off one way and through the course of a story begins to change for the better (can sometimes be for the worse). Body: As a character progresses they face physical obstacles. This opposing force is sometimes another person but can be the environment itself. Physical confrontations are exhausting and can alter one s drive. In the classic sense, a physical change is an alteration in appearance or looks. Physical change is conventional in science fiction and fantasy stories and usually leads to societal ridicule and discrimination. Soul: A character often struggles with a lack of faith in oneself, family members, or society as a whole. They lose trust in humanity and feel worn out or used. Sometimes the confliction may revolve around spirituality in the classic sense where the character struggles with one s religious beliefs or traditional customs.

5 Writing Checklist: Think about your body paragraph organization Do you want two-body paragraphs (one for book, one for movie)? Each body paragraph would need to address mind, body, soul. Do you want three body paragraphs (mind, body, soul)? Each body paragraph would need to both the book and the movie. Introduction o Does my introduction include an attention getter/ lead to draw the reader into the paper? o Did I clearly introduce the book and movie? Did I include author/ writer/ director information? o Did I include background information to help the reader understand the major plot points and theme? o Do I have a thesis statement that clearly summarized the major ideas addressed in the paper? Body Paragraphs (Think about the quote sandwich below) o Does each body paragraph have a clear claim? o Did I remember to include an introduction or context to my evidence? o Did I include paraphrased or directly quoted evidence? o Did I cite my evidence? o Did I analyze the evidence? o Did I explain the connections back to the claim? Conclusion o Did I restate my thesis? o Did I provide an impact or thought- provoking ending? Revision and editing o Did I reread my paper (aloud)? Does it make sense? o Did I use a website like or to look at my grammar, usage and mechanics?