Mrs. Ciacchella English



Name: _____________________________________________________ Quarterly Independent Book Study – Grade 7“We shouldn’t teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.” - B. SkinnerIn the past, you have had to choose a book in your reading range and write a detailed, supported review of the book. This semester, you will take that a step further in order to prepare you for 8th grade and high school by developing your critical reading skills. You will choose one novel for the next two quarters to read. This novel must be in your reading range (see me if you want to know if a particular book is acceptable). You must choose one style of paper to write on the book. The topic and purpose of each paper will be different. You must complete a different paper style by each quarter, however the order you complete them in is up to you.Paper 1: AnalysisThe purpose of this paper is to take a close look at one detail or aspect of the book (as if you’re taking a magnifying glass to it).Choose one element from your book Example: theme, a symbol, a character, one event, the setting, a repeated phrase, title…Create a thesis statement that explains an aspect about the element.Your thesis statement should have two parts: a declaration and proof.Example: The mockingjay is a key symbol in The Hunger Games because it represents the fight for freedom.Write a three-paragraph essay explaining your thesis statement:Paragraph 1 – introduction; state your thesisParagraph 2 – use details to analyze the detail you chose; support your thesisParagraph 3 – restate your introduction, wrap it upPaper 2: ArgumentativeThe purpose of this paper is to choose something you agree or disagree with from your book and explain why you have the stance you do.Choose one element from your book Example: theme, a symbol, a character, one event, the setting, a repeated phrase, title…Create a thesis statement that explains if you disagree or agree with it and why.Your thesis statement should have two parts: a declaration and proof.Example: I think that Ponyboy is a weak character in The Outsiders because he runs away from his problems.Write a three-paragraph essay explaining your thesis statement:Paragraph 1 – introduction; state your thesisParagraph 2 – use details from the book to support your thesisParagraph 3 – restate your introduction, wrap it upPaper 3 – ReviewThe purpose of this paper is to give your readers a thorough, educated opinion of the book.Decide on three elements you will review.Example: characters, dialogue, descriptions, setting, plot, conclusion, introduction…Decide your opinion of the three little elements, and WHY you have that opinion:Example: I think the characters were boring because they were all static; they never changed.Write a five-paragraph essay:Paragraph 1 – Brief introduction to the book, including basic summaryParagraph 2 – Mini review of element 1Paragraph 3 – Mini review of element 2Paragraph 4 – Mini review of element 3Paragraph 5 – Conclusion, overall opinion of the book; restate your three mini-reviewsExample: Despite having boring characters, the quick-moving plot and exciting setting make this book a must-read.Paper 4 - ComparisonThe purpose of this paper is to compare the book with something else in culture (another book, movie, television show, song, piece or artwork, poem…)Decide on what you will compare your book to.Choose at least three things your book shares with what you chose (theme, setting, plot, tone, mood, open ending, character background…)Create a thesis that explains what you are comparing and what they have in common.Example: The Lord of the Flies and The Hunger Games are similar because they both center around teenage characters, they are both very violent, and they both have main scenes where only the teens are in charge.Write a five paragraph essayParagraph 1 – Introduction, ThesisParagraph 2 – Describe one similarityParagraph 3 – Describe second similarityParagraph 4 – Describe third similarityParagraph 5 – Explain which you like more and whyPaper Format:Typed34099501587500Double-spaced4-7 sentences per paragraph Should follow paper style guidelinesDue Dates:Quarter 3: ________________Quarter 4: ________________Quarterly Book Report: AnalysisExpert: 3 – 4 pointsProfessional: 1-2 pointsNovice: 0 pointsEssay Format:Typed final draft that is 3 paragraphs long is based on an appropriate book and uses formal diction.Quarterly Grammar Rules:The following Quarterly Grammar rules are followed (missing one rule results in loss of one point)Subject – Verb agreementPunctuating TitlesPunctuating QuotationsVerb TenseBasic Grammar:Expert (3) – There are a few minor spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors but they do not interfere with the essayProfessional (2) – There are minor spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors that cause a few pauses while readingProfessional (1) – There are many spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors that cause the reading to be choppyNovice (0) – Spelling, capitalization and punctuation errors cause the paper to be unreadableDiction/Clarity:Word choice is at or above reading level, with a wide variety of appropriate diction. Active sentences are varied and transitions are used to help the essay flow smoothly.Using Textual Evidence:Textual evidence is used to support analysis. Textual evidence is relevant and is explained, not just inserted, in essay. Effective Essay:Strong thesis is used in introduction paragraph to clearly indicate the one literary element chosen to analyze. The essay shows a strong understanding of how the literary element impacts the text as a whole.TOTAL: _________ out of 24 (Test/Project grade)Quarterly Book Report: ArgumentativeExpert: 3 – 4 pointsProfessional: 1-2 pointsNovice: 0 pointsEssay Format:Typed final draft that is 3 paragraphs long is based on an appropriate book and uses formal diction.Quarterly Grammar Rules:The following Quarterly Grammar rules are followed (missing one rule results in loss of one point)Subject – Verb agreementPunctuating TitlesPunctuating QuotationsVerb TenseBasic Grammar:Expert (3) – There are a few minor spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors but they do not interfere with the essayProfessional (2) – There are minor spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors that cause a few pauses while readingProfessional (1) – There are many spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors that cause the reading to be choppyNovice (0) – Spelling, capitalization and punctuation errors cause the paper to be unreadableDiction/Clarity:Word choice is at or above reading level, with a wide variety of appropriate diction. Actives sentences are varied and transitions are used to help the essay flow smoothly.Using Textual Evidence:Textual evidence is used to support claim. Textual evidence is relevant and is explained, not just inserted, in essay. Effective Essay:Strong claim is presented in introduction paragraph to clearly indicate one element that author either agrees or disagrees with. Claim is presented with basic evidence, which is explained in the body of the essayTOTAL: _________ out of 24 (Test/Project grade)Quarterly Book Report: ReviewExpert: 3 – 4 pointsProfessional: 1-2 pointsNovice: 0 pointsEssay Format:Typed final draft that is 5 paragraphs long is based on an appropriate book and uses formal diction.Quarterly Grammar Rules:The following Quarterly Grammar rules are followed (missing one rule results in loss of one point)Subject – Verb agreementPunctuating TitlesPunctuating QuotationsVerb TenseBasic Grammar:Expert (3) – There are a few minor spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors but they do not interfere with the essayProfessional (2) – There are minor spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors that cause a few pauses while readingProfessional (1) – There are many spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors that cause the reading to be choppyNovice (0) – Spelling, capitalization and punctuation errors cause the paper to be unreadableDiction/Clarity:Word choice is at or above reading level, with a wide variety of appropriate diction. Actives sentences are varied and transitions are used to help the essay flow smoothly.Using Textual Evidence:Textual evidence is used to support each element reviewed. Evidence is relevant and is explained, not just inserted, in essay. Effective Essay:Thesis is given in introduction paragraph to state overall opinion of the book and three elements that contributed to opinion. Each element is completely discussed in body of the essayTOTAL: _________ out of 24 (Test/Project grade)Quarterly Book Report: ComparisonExpert: 3 – 4 pointsProfessional: 1-2 pointsNovice: 0 pointsEssay Format:Typed final draft that is 5 paragraphs long is based on an appropriate book and uses formal diction.Quarterly Grammar Rules:The following Quarterly Grammar rules are followed (missing one rule results in loss of one point)Subject – Verb agreementPunctuating TitlesPunctuating QuotationsVerb TenseBasic Grammar:Expert (3) – There are a few minor spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors but they do not interfere with the essayProfessional (2) – There are minor spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors that cause a few pauses while readingProfessional (1) – There are many spelling, capitalization or punctuation errors that cause the reading to be choppyNovice (0) – Spelling, capitalization and punctuation errors cause the paper to be unreadableDiction/Clarity:Word choice is at or above reading level, with a wide variety of appropriate diction. Actives sentences are varied and transitions are used to help the essay flow smoothly.Using Textual Evidence:Textual evidence is used to support each similarity. Evidence is relevant and is explained, not just inserted, in essay. Effective Essay:Strong thesis is given in introduction paragraph to state which two items are being compared and three ways they are similar The three elements are expanded on in the body paragraph.TOTAL: _________ out of 24 (Test/Project grade) ................
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