Summer Reading
Objectives: during the summer holidays, you will be asked to read a literary work written by an English-speaking author (not necessarily British or American, but originally written in English) in order to improve the autonomy of your reading skills and your ability to grasp the essentials of a novel or play. Your creative resources will be challenged as well, as you will have to deliver an original and insightful feedback to your fellow students who haven't read the book - possibly making them want to read it !
Description: at the end of the summer vacation, you will be asked to present the results of your work orally to the class for about 15 minutes. It shouldn't be too long, but should be attractive in the way it is presented and synthetic in its contents. You won't be allowed to read anything, only keywords, thesis statement and quotes will be accepted. The outline of your work should be handed out to me when you go back to school, during the first week. The oral presentations will follow in the course of September
Contents: your presentation should include:
a quick biography of the author, an illustration of his/her life
a summary of the story
a general thesis statement on the whole novel or play : what does the book tell us, what is the main message in it, is it a grand metaphor of something, a sharp criticism of a given time or society?
three minor (sub-thesis) statements connected to the thesis above
three different quotations to back up or illustrate your three sub-thesis statements, each quote with a short comment of your own. Remember to write down the page number next to each quote
the main thesis statement and the three minor ones must be represented by symbols, objects, drawings , collages or any original concrete prop (=accessoire, support) of your choice, which you will bring to class on the day of your presentation and on which you will be allowed to write your statements
You can either choose one object as a main symbol (e.g: a tree with its branches, a flower with its petals) and write each minor thesis statement on every branch or petal, and the main thesis statement on the trunk or the middle of the flower) or four individual symbols with one distinct statement on each (see example on Of Mice and Men)
a conclusion with your personal opinion on the work: did you like it? Why? Would you recommend it to the class? Why?
Deadline: By June 9th 2021 your choice must be made.
By the second week of school year 2021-2022 your outline must be handed out to me (including quotes)
Tip: if you find yourself in the middle of the summer wondering what all the project was about, you'll find all the necessary information on my website, including the example.
Enjoy your summer reading !
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