INDEPENDENT NOVEL STUDY

DOUBLE ENTRY JOURNAL (50 POINTS)

As you read, you are to keep a special kind of journal called a “Double Entry Journal” (DEJ).
Start a journal section (or create one digitally), and split your page in half. As you read, on the
left side record at least 10 quotes or phrases from the book that resonate, are meaningful, are
interesting, or that raise legitimate questions. On the right side, respond to your chosen
quotation in a genuine way. You could be discussing its deeper meaning, unpacking a theme,
seeking answers to your questions, or responding in any other meaningful way. For example:

April 29th This poem perfectly sums up a driving idea

“Not all that glitters is gold / Not all those
who wander are lost; / The old that is strong
does not wither / deep roots are not touched
by the frost”. (Page number)
in Tolkien’s work, as the unassuming
characters are constantly put in positions of
affecting great change on the world. For
instance, Sam, a seemingly secondary
character, is elevated through his roots to his
home and strong moral character to being the
chief hero in the book – although he does not
glitter, he is gold.

Your journal entries should meet the following requirements:

 Are genuine in nature

 At least 10 entries (there could easily be more – 10 is the bare minimum)
 Include the date that you read that quotation
 Include the page number.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY (40 POINTS)

Using online resources, write a 1.5 - 2 page (1.5 spaced, 12 size, times new roman) paper on
your author. In your paper, include information on the author, the reception of the novel, the
author’s other works, and anything else you deem pertinent. All information should be
properly cited using MLA format, and you should reference minimum two sources.
AUTHOR BIBLIOGRAPHY (5 POINTS)

Include a bibliography with your biography that uses correct MLA format. You must turn in a
bibliography or your work will be considered plagiarism and will receive a zero.

CRITICAL ESSAY – 100 POINTS

Write a 800-1000 word (1.5 spaced, 12 size, times new roman) essay on a topic of your choice
that explores a judgement (level three thinking) you make about the text. Some possible areas
for analysis include: a main character’s development over the course of the novel as it relates to
other events, a reoccurring theme or metaphor, a set of symbolism, literary allusions that you
find. The possibilities are endless and very specific to your novel. You need to start thinking
about possible topics the moment you begin reading. Essays should meet the following
requirements:

 Typed in MLA format. Include at least three sources in your paper.

o Including correct Title page and Bibliography
 Include at least two sources other than the novel
o These could be other novels, thoughts from literary critics, book reviews, etc.
 Have an introduction with an underlined thesis statement.
 Interact with a theme or idea found within the text.

I will meet with you to discuss the ideas that you have for an essay topic. I will not come up
with your topic for you, but rather help you narrow down your ideas to a topic that will work.

CRITICAL ESSAY BIBLIOGRAPHY (5 POINTS)

Include a bibliography with your Essay that uses correct MLA format. You must turn in a
bibliography or your work will be considered plagiarism and will receive a zero.
TIMELINE AND PLANNIN G:

Class time during this time will be divided into Approximately 30 minutes of reading/silent
work and 40 minutes of Writing Workshops. During our workshops we will review the
following skills

 Introductions
 Thesis Statements
 Quotation Integration
 Organizing our papers for purpose
 MLA Formatting
 MLA Citation and Bibliographies
 Conclusions
 Tightening our writing (Conciseness)
 Choosing words with purpose (Clarity)
 Finding and Choosing outside sources
 Argumentative Writing Strategies
 And More!

The entire project is due on or before June 15th. However I would recommend setting personal
goals for completion for each part of this assignment. Take a look at your calendar and set goals
for completion dates below. I will also add some recommendations:

 Try finish the novel with at least a week before the deadline to give yourself plenty of
time to write your essay
 Consider working on your biography while you are reading your novel. This can be
finished before the novel is finished
 Each time you read, attempt to complete a DEJ entry

Author Biography: ___________________

Finish Novel (And DEJ): __________________

Approximate pages/chapters per day to meet this goal: __________________

Critical Essay (Rough Draft): _________________________

Critical Essay (Final Draft): ___________________________

Hand in Project: _______________________

RUBRICS

Your assignments will be assessed using the following rubrics. In order to be assessed, the assignment must check
off all requirements listed above, otherwise it will be considered incomplete.

DEJ:
Understanding Ensure you have a Ensure your ideas are Move beyond the obvious You have demonstrated level
good understanding fully developed and interpretation. Look for and three thinking. Ideas expand
of the text and topic. communicated represent figurative language or beyond the text and make
ideas. relevant connections
Producing Text Ensure the tone is Be creative with your Try to engage your audience Shows personal engagement.
appropriate for the representation. Try to with your representation. Response is imaginative and
task. find a personal shows sensitivity
Take risks.
connection.
Organizing Plan out your ideas Ensure your ideas are Make sure your organization Your representation is well
before representing organized in a logical way. directly supports your purpose organized and its organization
them. Ensure clarity or idea helps communicate your ideas
and neatness
Using Language Ensure the language Review your work for Consider more advanced Language is well-suited to the
of the awkwardness or language that suits your purpose task. Errors are not distracting.
representation is confusing areas.
Language has purpose
suited for the task.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND CRITICAL ESSAY: