Overall IRA Guidelines

• Typed double spaced or printed neatly
• Although it's not formal writing, demons are unacceptable.
• Include title of book and author at top of page.

Your name and book title must appear

at the top of the page.

One page, typed double-spaced or neatly written,

no demons/spelling errors!

Choose ONLY ONE of the following options

What conflict(s) is the character facing? How is he/she dealing with the trouble in his/her life? What would you do if you were in the same situation? Be specific about your actions; requires more than one line or “I’d do the same.”

OR

How can you make a personal connection to your character? Consider personality traits, degree of conflict in life, family/school environment, value system… Any other area with which you might connect? Be specific when connecting to your own life. The more thoughtful connections will receive the highest available points.

due Wednesday, 10/8

Your name and book title must appear at top of page.

One page, typed double-spaced or neatly written, no demons/spelling errors!

Choose only one of the following options

Option 1 :

Create a one-page journal entry for one of the characters in the book. ( Dear Journal, I can’t believe. . . You are writing AS the character. ) Reveal the character’s inner thoughts, such as feelings, attitudes, motivation, or hopes for the future. Do NOT summarize events!

Option 2 :

Choose one word that best describes the personality of one of the characters. Provide evidence of this trait through two or three specific examples from the story, and include an excerpt from the text that illustrates your choice. Focus on personality traits such as “aggressive,” “responsible,” “lazy,” or “selfish.” Stay away from more general labels such as “friendly” or “happy.” Note: Labels such as “athletic” are not personality traits.

due Wednesday, 10/15

Click here for an Answer Organizer that might help you format your response: Organizer for Journal Entry  

Click here for an Answer Organizer that might help you format your response: Organizer for One Word Character Trait

Your name, book title, and author must appear at top of page.

One page, typed double-spaced or neatly written, no demons/spelling errors!

Choose only one of the following options

Option 1 :

What event in the story, major or minor, reminds you of an event you have experienced or one about which you have read/heard? Explain the similarities and differences with details from your own experience and the text.

Option 2 :

What does this story say about people in general? In what ways does it remind you of people you have known? Stories you have read? Movies or TV programs you have seen? Give specific examples from the book and the outside world. If this story does not remind you of other things in your life, don’t choose this option! (You needn’t address every question in this option, as long as you are making some solid, well-elaborated connections.) One-page minimum.

due Friday, 10/24

Your name and book title must appear at top of page.

One page, typed double-spaced or neatly written, no demons/spelling errors!

Choose only one of the following options

Option One: 

After finishing the book, write a letter to the author. Consider expressing what you liked or did not like about the style of writing and/or the actions or thoughts of the characters. Suggest what you would change about the book. Will you be recommending this book to your friends? Why or why not? Be specific. Write this in proper letter format with a salutation (Dear Mr. Brown,) and a closing (Sincerely, James B. Student).

OR

Option Two: 

Do you consider this book “good literature”? Your response must include your definition of “good literature” and at least one specific example or excerpt from the story to prove your point. (You may want to reference characters, dialogue, plot, suspense, connection to characters, descriptive writing, and more!)

due Friday, 10/31

Option 1 : Write a letter to a character in the book expressing your admiration for a particular action or trait, including why you believe it to be so commendable. (think virtues!) Write in proper letter format.

Option 2: Write a letter to a character in the book expressing your distaste for a particular action or trait. Include what he or she could have done differently or what you would have done if you were in his or her place. (think the opposite of virtues = vices!)  Use proper letter format.

Option 3 : Choose a character with whom you would enjoy being friends? Explain with specific examples from the book and your life.

Option 1:  Design a postcard for one of the characters to send to someone. One side of the card will have artwork that relates to the story. The other side will include the message, written as though the character might write it. Message must reveal something about the plot of the story and the reaction of the character. The card may be sent to anyone in the character’s life, whether or not it is a specific character in the book. Note: Even if the character doesn’t travel anywhere in the book, you can imagine where he/she might go!

Option 2:  Even at the beginning of a novel, the author often supplies the reader with enough information to make predictions about what may happen later in the story. Make a prediction (you may need to make two) about how the main character will solve the conflict which s/he confronts. Be sure to include information from the text to support what you are saying. If you have finished the book, you have two choices: Complete the postcard, or find specific parts of the book where the author included foreshadowing (hints about what was going to happen) and relay them in an essay. In other words, what pieces of the puzzle were in place that should have given you a clue about the book’s conclusion?

No choice – everyone does this

Based on our readings of Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, how can you connect a character to the rites of passage? (Note: It does not need to connect to the entire monomyth; you may choose one stage, as long as it is thoroughly discussed.) Use your notes and consider reinforcing your argument with terminology cited directly from the article. Use Campbell “lingo” whenever possible. Include book title.

Option 1 : Create a quiz and answer key for your book. Questions should reflect 8 th grade academic level and must be varied (multiple choice, fill in the blanks, matching, short answer), including at least two short essays. Remember: all questions must have accompanying answers, including an “A” response for essays (1 paragraph each)

Option 2 : What does this story say about people in general? In what ways does it remind you of people you have known? Stories you have read? Movies or TV programs you have seen? If this story does not remind you of other things in your life, don’t choose this option! (You do not need to address every question in this option, as long as you are making some solid, well-elaborated connections.) One-page minimum.