The Great Gatsby
Class Project
1920s Swanky “Gatsby” Soiree
Introduction: Throughout our reading of The Great Gatsby we will see the
importance of the role of parties and the dazzling, yet at times, superficial, element of
the social life of the 1920s. Fitzgerald accurately portrays the social, economic, and
cultural shifts of the Jazz Age decade in his descriptions of the parties in the novel.
The Task: Your task, as a class, is to become “party planners” and collaborate to plan a
Jazz Age bash worthy of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald themselves. Each of you will
choose to work on a committee and research all the historical, cultural, and social
background information necessary to throw a “Gatsby Party” (minus the bathtub gin, of
course!). Read the descriptions of the parties in the novel carefully to inspire you and try
to remain true to the overall ambiance and atmosphere established in Fitzgerald’s
writing.
The Process: In order to pull this off, you will be working in various committees to
research, present information, and prepare for our cultural experience. Committees are
as follows:
1. Fashion Committee: Your task is to research the history of 1920s fashion
for men and women. Address who the flappers were as well as how they were a
reflection of societal trends. You must also provide creative examples of how the
class can come in costume (other than renting/buying costumes). In other words,
how can we creatively and cheaply duplicate the fashions of the 20s for our party?
(P.S. Extra Credit will be awarded to the guests who are in costume!)
2. Music Committee: Your task is to research the music of the 1920s—
specifically jazz and/or ragtime. What music will we hear, sing, and play at our
party? Research forms, musicians, and lyrics, and educate your classmates. You
will also be responsible for being our DJs (perhaps performers!?) at our party.
You should coordinate with the dance committee closely.
3. Refreshments Committee: Your task is to research the food and drinks of
the 1920s. What would typically be served at a party? It is up to your group to
plan and present a menu, shopping list, and budget for our party. Draw
inspiration from the novel, but also do careful research. You are also planning for
a time before microwaves and prepackaged foods, which means no chips or
nachos! As far as libations are concerned, you will need to consider and create
non-alcoholic beverages (obviously) for our guests. Present a shopping list and
budget to your classmates.
4. Ambiance Committee: Your task is to research various political and social
gatherings of the 20s. Specifically research speakeasies and present your findings
to the class. You should also research prohibition and the cultural response to it.
In addition, research and present language and jargon of the 1920s and prepare a
lexicon for your classmates so that our language at the party will be accurate.
Also, designate specific topics of conversation that will be permitted at our party.
It would be wise to work closely with the Guests Committee. Educate your
classmates so that the conversations at our party will be authentic.
5. Décor Committee: Your group will research architecture and décor in the
Jazz Age. What influenced and dominated design during this decade? What was
the Art Deco movement? Who were the most influential architects and designers
of the time and what were they known for? Educate your classmates on this
important element as well as design and provide props and decorations for our
party atmosphere. You may decide to coordinate with the Ambiance Committee.
Plan and present your ideas for visually transforming our classroom into a
swanky venue. Present a shopping list and budget.
6. Dance Committee: Your task is to research the history of dance in the Jazz
Age and present your findings to the class. Provide important information on the
Charleston and Lindy as well as any other dances and discuss the significance of
dance to the decade. Prepare to demonstrate and teach the rest of the class as
well as lead dances at our party. You should work closely with the music
committee.
7. Guests Committee: Drawing inspiration from the colorful characters of the
parties in the novel as well as your research on the famous and influential people
of the Jazz Age, compose a guest list for our party. Educate our class about some
of the dominant figures of the decade as well as the average urban or rural
citizen who might attend such a party. In addition, you will need to assign each
class member with a role—a persona he/she will don for our party. Coordinate
with the Fashion Committee, as well as the Ambiance Committee for ideas. In
addition, you are responsible for creating invitations for the party. Also, be sure
to invite special guests such as our librarian, your history teacher, or other
important people!
Research: Though you will be given some time in the library, research will be
completed largely outside of class. Though you will be researching and presenting in
groups, each student will be required to submit an MLA style research paper. Please
refer to the attached rubric.
Committee presentations will begin _______________________________.
Individual MLA research papers due ______________________________.
Our “Gatsby Experience” will take place on ___________________________.
See attached rubrics for specific expectations and evaluation.
Gatsby Soiree Group Rubric
Committee:___________________________
Group names:
__________________________________________________
Project
Requirements
Research: A minimum of 4 reputable and credible
sources will be used, at least one of which will be a
print source. Research is thorough, thoughtful, and
detailed and responds to all individual committee
and assignment requirements.
Documentation: Create a typed, MLA format
Works Cited page documenting the sources you use.
This works cited page will be submitted the day
your group presents.
Presentation: You will present your research to
the class in order to educate us for a successful
party. Presentations will be approximately 10
minutes in length and will be executed in a
professional manner with ample and appropriate
visual aids.
Group Dynamic: Each group member should
demonstrate equal effort and cooperation. Each
group member exhibits respect and consideration
for other group members. Any discrepancies will be
addressed in conferences with the teacher.
Party Success: The final factor in determining
your success as a committee will be the party itself.
You will be evaluated on how well you planned and
prepared for your part of the soiree as well as how
effectively the rest of the class internalized your
committee’s work and research.
Total =
Comments:
Points
Possible
20
20
20
20
20
100
Points
Earned
Gatsby Research Paper Rubric
Name_________________________________________________
Committee/Topic ________________________________________
Paper
Requirements
Points
Possible
MLA Format:
□ Page headings appear on each page and follow MLA
format.
□ Page margins are as follows: ½” top and 1” left, right,
and bottom.
□ Paper is double spaced throughout in 12 point font
□ No title page; title appears on the first page, centered
beneath the first page heading information, no bold type, no
punctuation, no adornments
□ Parenthetical citations appear throughout; each work
that appears on the works cited page is cited within the text;
citations are correct in format.
□ Works cited page appears as the last page of the paper
and is correctly formatted in MLA requirements; at least
four sources are cited (at least one of which is a print
source) in alphabetical order; sources are correctly cited in
MLA format.
Content & Organization:
□ The paper is organized by a controlling idea and thesis
statement and each paragraph is organized with a
supporting topic sentence.
□ The paper has an introduction, body paragraphs, and a
conclusion. All paragraphs will be well-developed and
thorough.
□ The paper responds to all aspects of the assignment:
historical background and relevant information as well as
how you plan to apply, adapt, and implement this
information for our Gatsby party specifically.
Quality & Conventions:
□ The paper reflects diligent and honest research methods
and cites from reputable, academic, and scholarly sources.
□ The paper reflects excellent work ethic and is a quality
paper that the student can be proud of; the paper indicates
diligent effort and time dedication.
□ The paper is a minimum of three typed pages of text
(excluding the accompanying works cited page).
□ The paper indicates a sound understanding of English
language conventions and has few to no errors in grammar,
punctuation, or spelling.
□ The paper indicates a sound understanding of the
structure and function of a research paper.
Total =
25
25
25
75
Points
Earned