Lucas & Chown
ENG4U1 Culminating Activity
The culminating task for this course consists of 3 parts:
1) A thorough, detailed progress report based on your reading of a selected novel.
2) An oral presentation.
3) A creative media piece.
1) Progress Report (addressing themes, characters, plot development, critical theory)
To ensure effective engagement in the reading, research, and writing processes, you will discuss
your progress in a report of approximately 2 pages. Be prepared to answer specific questions
about your novel and intended critical approach. The expected format and content of the report
will be discussed in advance of the due date.
DUE DATE:____________________
2) Seminar Presentation and 3) Media Piece
Your seminar should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the themes of your novel, the
ability to apply a literary theory to the text and to effectively engage the audience. You will
showcase these understandings and abilities through 1) a brief summary of your novel and your
critical application and 2) the sharing of a creative media piece.
The seminar will also effectively integrate the audio/visual components of the presentation.
Your media piece should address the novel’s major themes as well as your selected literary
theory. Please select from one of the following options for the media piece:
 create a blog with entries written from the perspective of one of the characters from your
novel or film
 write a song or rap addressing a central issue of the novel
 create a cartoon or radio show where characters from the novel interact
 photo collage/essay
 another teacher-approved idea that you might have
--------------------------------------Worth 15% of final mark
Lucas & Chown
SUGGESTED NOVELS
FEMINIST CRITICISM
The Awakening (Kate Chopin)
The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë)
The Color Purple (Alice Walker)
Lucy (Jamaica Kincaid)
Orlando: A Biography (Virginia Woolf)
I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem (Maryse Condé)
The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
MARXIST CRITICISM
The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens)
Where Angels Fear to Tread (E.M. Forster)
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (Michael
Chabon)
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (Mordecai Richler)
PSYCHOANALYTIC CRITICISM
Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)
Funny Boy (Shyam Selvadurai)
The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
A Question of Power (Bessie Head)
Ordinary People (Judith Guest)
My Name is Asher Lev (Chaim Potok)
Dracula (Bram Stoker)
POST-COLONIAL CRITICISM
Heart of Darkness (Joseph Conrad)
The Color Purple (Alice Walker)
Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe)
Snow Falling on Cedars (David Guterson)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou)
Passing (Nella Larsen)
Please note that some of these novels could be analysed from various critical viewpoints. For
example, “The Color Purple” could be analysed from a post-colonial as well as a feminist
perspective. Do not feel confined to the categories above.
If you would like to select an alternative novel, it must be approved by your teacher.
NOVEL SELECTION DUE: _______________________
Adapted with permission from Ms. Rosalie Griffith, OCT.
Lucas & Chown
COURSE CULMINATING RUBRIC
Oral Presentation
App.
Oral
(Introduction)
Task
Introduction
-presents an argument that is clear and effective
-presents a hook that is unusual, creative, or
thought provoking
-presents the author and provides a brief
summary of the novel
K/U
-is able to explain selected key aspects of chosen
critical theory in significant and accurate detail
-demonstrates a thorough understanding of the
critical theory’s main assumptions and beliefs
T/I
Application of Critical Theory
-identifies clearly the main aspects of the text that
relate to selected critical theory (themes,
characters, text structure, diction, plot
development)
-provides detailed and thorough analysis of text
through the lens of the selected critical theory
Analysis
T/I
Reading (Engagement
with Text)
Reading (Critical Theory)
Overview of Critical Theory
-demonstrates a deeper understanding of the text
by directly connecting quotes and examples to
main argument and critical theory
-demonstrates opinion of material and moves
beyond understanding of the novel into inquiry
K/U
-demonstrates thorough understanding of novel’s
main themes, characters, and plot
-selects and uses specific, relevant quotations (to
support ideas and opinions thoroughly)
Comm.
App.
Conclusion
- reinforces the student’s main argument in a
thought provoking manner
Formality
-speaks in formal, academic tone with
precision/persuasive tone
Vocal Clarity and Presentation Style
Comm.
Oral
(Concl.)
A.E.
(0-49%)
Limited
L1
(50-59%)
Very Limited
A.E.
Very Limited
A.E.
Very Limited
A.E.
Limited
L1
Limited
L1
Limited
L1
Some
Considerable
L2
L3
(60-69%)
(70-79%)
Some
L2
Some
L2
Some
L2
Considerable
L3
Considerable
L3
Considerable
L3
High
L4
(80-100%)
High
L4
High
L4
High
L4
MEDIA:
-provides in-depth explanation of media piece
and its connections to the novel
Connections
Oral (Style)
Assessment of Ability
Very Limited
-speaks clearly and in an engaging manner in
terms of fluency, volume, speed, and tone
-appears organized and prepared
/20
Very Limited
A.E.
Very Limited
A.E.
Very Limited
A.E.
Very Limited
A.E.
Limited
L1
Limited
L1
Limited
L1
Limited
L1
Some
L2
Some
L2
Some
L2
Some
L2
Considerable
L3
Considerable
L3
Considerable
L3
Considerable
L3
High
L4
High
L4
High
L4
High
L4
Lucas & Chown
Media Piece
K/U and T/I
The student’s media piece . . .
Task
Connections to the Novel
-reflects detailed understanding of the novel
-thoughtfully addresses the major themes of the novel
as well as the central concepts of the selected literary
theory
App.
Creativity and Thoughtfulness
-demonstrates effective engagement in the creative
process and is clear in its objective
-successfully applies conventions of selected medium
(radio, song, blog, cartoon)
Very Limited
A.E.
Assessment of Ability
Limited Some Considerable
L1
Very Limited
Limited
A.E.
L1
/10
FINAL CULMINATING MARK BREAKDOWN
Progress Report: ________
Oral Presentation: ________
Media Piece:
________
TOTAL:
Comments
High
L2
L3
L4
Some
Considerable
High
L3
L4
L2