Independent Reading!

You are required to be reading at least one independent novel of your choice for each quarter of
the school year. Sometimes you will be given free range to pick a book of your own choosing
(provided it is a book appropriate for your reading level and not something you’ve read for a
previous English class). Other times you may be given a choice from a list of possible options. In
either scenario, the goal is for you to be given the opportunity to pick a text that is accessible and
interesting to you. You may acquire these books yourself by either purchasing them or checking
them out from the school or local library.

You will also be required to complete an independent reading assignment (I.R.A.) based on a
new and ideally completed book once a quarter. The exact assignment will also change
depending on the quarter; sometimes you will be able to choose from a range of different
possible assignments, while other times you will be given a more specific assignment to
complete. Due dates for these projects will be given well in advance.

You will often be asked to read a class novel and an independent reading novel at the same time,
so plan your reading schedule accordingly. We will also dedicate a portion of one class each
Wednesday for silent sustained reading time, so make sure you bring your independent reading
book to class on those days!
Independent Reading Assignment Rubric:
Correct MLA formatting ______/ 5 pts.
Fulfills all requirements ______/ 20 pts
Creativity ______ / 10 pts.
Grammar/Syntax ______/ 10pts.
Organization ______/ 5 pts.

TOTAL: __________/ 50 pts

 I.R.A. Choices!

DO NOT REPEAT ASSIGNMENTS. Branch out… Try something new… Be creative…

• Unless otherwise stated in the prompt, I.R.As should be at least one page for A-level students and
two pages for Honors/AP students.
• Make sure you are including specific details about your book so it will be clear that you have
been reading it. Overly vague responses will receive less credit.
• Avoid simply summarizing the contents of the book. I am assuming that you read the book and
thus know what happened in it—I want to know what your thoughts about it are.
• You should be attempting to use a different book for each individual IRA. If you want to use the
same book more than once (i.e. if it’s a long book), you must receive permission from me first or
else you will lose points.
• Use paragraphs! One-paragraph responses will not be acceptable unless the prompt states
otherwise.
• Even though assignments are due once a quarter, feel free to prepare assignments at any time. If
you are reading a part in a book that inspires a response, write it early!
• If you have an idea for something else that you would like to do for an I.R.A. instead of one of
the prompts listed below, feel free to pitch it to me!

1. Write about a memory or experience of your own that is similar to something have read about it
in the book. Discuss this experience and its connection to the book (i.e. how it compares to
specific moments from the story) in detail.
2. Write about a character you can identify with in the book and explain why. Give examples from
both the book and your own life to explain the connection.
3. Choose 4-5 passages from the book that you found especially powerful, intriguing, important, etc.
and explain why. (passage quotes do not count towards page length)
4. Become one of the characters in the book and write a diary entry from that character’s point of
view. Be sure to describe the events that took place and his/her reaction to those events.
5. Write a letter to one of the characters or the author of the book. Give your reactions to specific
events that took place, ask logical questions, offer them advice, etc.
6. Illustrate a scene (with action!) that reflects a main event. Write a paragraph explaining your
illustration/your artistic choices. Don’t forget to title your illustration. Design is important, so be
creative (artistic talent will not be evaluated, but effort and thoughtfulness will be). Not applicable
for graphic novels.
7. Create a collage representing a main event, emotion, character, or theme of the book. Attach a
paragraph explaining the significance of each part.
8. Write about a song that captures an important event, character trait, emotion, or theme from the
book. Include the lyrics to the song. Explain in detail how the song applies to your book (song
lyrics do not count towards page length).
9. When you are finished, rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10. Give reasons for your rating,
including specific moments and/or elements of the book that stood out for you and why. Who
should read this book? Who wouldn’t like it? Why?
10. Compare a character from this book to another character from another book you have read. In
what ways are they similar or different? Explain the connection using specific details from each
book.
11. What lessons can you learn from this book? Explain and support your ideas, and make sure that
you are discussing the specific moments in the book which help to convey these lessons.
12. Pretend you are a character writing a letter to another character. What would that character say to
the other? Refer to main events that took place in the book and the character’s reactions to those
events.
13. Write a short story sequel to the book or an extension.
14. Rewrite a section of the book from another character’s point of view.
15. Choose a famous person or someone you know who has a lot in common with a main character
from your book. Explain the similarities and differences using specific details from the book.
16. Find a poem that relates to your book. Attach the poem and write specifics about how it relates to
your book. (poem does not count towards length)
17. Write an alternate ending to the story.
18. Make a poster to advertise the book. Use persuasive techniques to “sell” your novel. Design is
very important, so be creative! Include a paragraph explaining your design choices.
19. Draw a comic book page complete with the bubble-style conversations showing an incident in
your book (artistic talent will not be evaluated, but effort and thoughtfulness will be). Include a
paragraph explaining your artistic choices. Not applicable for graphic novels.
20. Use a journalistic style and write a news story about something that happened to one of the
characters.
21. Interview a character from the book. Write at least 10 relevant questions and (detailed!) answers
that delve into a character’s thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story.
22. Select one character for the book you read who has the qualities of a hero or heroine. Give
examples of these qualities and specific details on how they were displayed.
23. Respond to at least 5 of the following prompts: This book made me… wish that, realize that,
decide that, wonder about, see that, believe that, feel that, hope that… Write a paragraph
response to each of the 5 prompts you choose.
24. Imagine you are asked to make a case to your school’s principal for why the book you read
should be assigned in English class. Write an essay discussing the reasons why; you may wish to
include the grade level you think it should be taught at along with specific discussions, activities,
and assignments that could be incorporated into the teaching of the book.
25. If your book was made into a movie or TV show, watch that and compare the book to the
adaptation. What changes were made, and do you agree with them? What elements of the book
translated effectively into another medium? Would you say it was a successful adaptation?
Explain your answers and use details from both the book and the movie/TV show.