INDEPENDENT NOVEL PROJECT

This project involves two sections. Both sections are mandatory. Complete Section 1
and CHOOSE TWO options from Section 2.

SECTION 1:

Write a thorough overview and reaction to your novel. This is much more than a simple
summary, and more of a personal reflection. Construct your reaction by keeping a series
of reading responses while you read. How is your novel relevant to you? What do you
think of the characters and their choices? What are your favourite scenes? What is your
reaction to the author’s style? How does the book end? What is your reaction to the
end? What are your overall impressions?

The guidelines for this reaction are:

1) Update weekly, with approximately 2 entries per week. Length will vary, but the
entire reaction should be approximately 3-4 pages (typed and single spaced). If
you keep up to date with weekly entries, this page requirement will not be a
problem.

2) Your reaction should be edited and in final revision stage on the due date.

4) The objective of Section 1 is to clearly reveal that you have read the book and
thoroughly reflected upon its content. It is always obvious if a student hasn’t
actually read the book, and this will be reflected in a failing grade. Include a
discussion of the book’s ending in your reaction.

5) Consider literary elements when reflecting on the book. What do you see as
major decisions made by the characters? How does the author reinforce those
actions? What could be some topics developed, that eventually lead to main
ideas? What are the plot elements? What are some symbols, and how are they
established?
SECTION 2:

Choose two of the following assignments:

1) Turn your novel in to a children’s book. This, of course will not be appropriate
for all novels. The objective is to simplify the story’s plot and convert it in to
simple language suitable for children. You are “boiling down” the novel to its
essence in doing this. Include illustrations, an important part of children’s
literature. Carefully choose appropriate scenes and details that would be
relevant to children. Some minimal modifications to content can be made in an
attempt to make the plot appeal to children.

2) Write a collection of poems (a minimum of three) which, in some way capture

the spirit of your novel. Each poem should focus on a different aspect of the
novel-characters, scenes, themes, etc. Any poem format or structure is suitable.
Fully edit and revise, and have each poem creatively presented on a separate
page (illustrations, colour, decorative script, etc.). Each poem must demonstrate
a great deal of thought, effort, and work. When considering length, compare this
option to the other project options.

3) Create a piece of writing which explores the voice of one of the characters in
your novel. This can be done in the form of a series of journal entries from the
point of view of your chosen character, or can take another form of your choice
(letters, a story written in his/her voice, etc.). The objective is to pretend that
you are the character, speaking with his/her voice. Refer to experiences and
scenes from the novel. Approximate length: 2-3 pages.

4) Write a book review and an interview with the author. The purpose of a review is
to make a judgement about strengths and weaknesses of a book. It is not good
enough to say, for example, “It was boring” or “It was dumb” or “It was really
good.” You need to be much more specific. Carefully outline the strengths and
weaknesses of the book in an attempt to recommend it or not. A review outlines
the main story line, characters, setting, and other relevant details, but its
purpose is not simply to summarize the book. Instead, it discusses the strong and
weak points in the writing. Remember, even the worst book has interesting or
note-worthy traits. After the review, follow up with a fictional interview with the
author. Think about what questions you would ask and what the responses
might be. Ask about whether the characters were based on anyone real, or what
his or her inspiration for writing the novel might have been, for example. In total,
these two pieces should be approximately 2-4 pages in length.

5) Create a sculpture of a character. Use any combination of soap, wood, clay,

sticks, wire, stones, old toy pieces, or any other materials. An explanation of this
character’s traits and conflicts should accompany the sculpture.
6) Construct a diorama (three-dimensional scene which includes models of people,
buildings, plants, and animals) of one of the main events of the book. Include a
written description of the scene, including the characters, conflict, setting,
symbols, or other important literary elements.

7) Write a feature article (with a headline) that tells the story of the book or an
event from the novel as it might be found on the front page of a newspaper in
the town where the story takes place. You will need to do a bit of research for
this task, including reading other articles, and understanding the elements
needed to format an article.

8) Create a new book jacket (both front and back) that portrays your understanding
of the novel. A written explanation must accompany your representation.

9) Write an obituary for one of the characters. Be sure to include lifetime

accomplishments, traits and relationships of the character, and what that
character would have wanted towards the end of life.

10) Create a piece of artwork that represents/reflects your novel. This option may
include a painting, a drawing, an interesting collage/scrapbook, a poster
advertising the book, a comic strip of a significant scene, etc. When considering
time and effort, compare this option to other project options.

11) ***Students also have the opportunity to produce their own original and
creative assignment based on their novel (must be approved by the teacher in
advance).