AP English Literature
Unit 11: The
Alchemist
Schedule of Reading and Writing Assignments
(Subject to Change)
Fri. 5/17
AP test reflection
Introduction to The Alchemist
Mon. 5/20
The Hero’s Journey
Class discussion
HW: Read The Alchemist Part 1 (Prologue-p. 47) and write 2 quotes in Dialectical
Journal
Tues. 5/21
Class discussion
HW: Read The Alchemist (p. 51-71) and add 2 quotes to Dialectical Journal
Thur. 5/23
Class discussion
HW: Read The Alchemist (p. 71-113) and add 2 quotes to Dialectical Journal
Mon. 5/27
NO SCHOOL
Tues. 5/28
Socratic discussion (Questions #11-16 in book)
Dialectical Journal due
HW: Read The Alchemist (p. 113-end) and add 2 quotes to Dialectical Journal
Thur. 5/30
Hero’s Journey project presentation
Hero’s Journey handout due
“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
--Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Grading for this unit:
 Class participation
 Socratic discussion
 Dialectical Journal—Must be typed. Handwritten work (unless completed as class work) will
not be accepted
 Hero’s Journey Cycle Handout
 Hero’s Journey project
o Choose one to present on Thur. 5/30:
 A detailed, poster-sized representation of Satiago’s Hero’s Journey
 Each step must include quotes with page numbers
 A detailed written explanation of the most important step of Santiago’s journey
(related to the Heroic Cycle).
 Two pages typed, MLA format, at least 3 quotes from the text with clear,
thoughtful explanation of why this step was most important for Santiago’s
journey
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AP English Literature
Unit 11: The
Alchemist
Dialectical Journal Template
I READ…
I THOUGHT…
I LEARNED…
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AP English Literature
Unit 11: The
Alchemist
Dialectical Journal
Instructions: As you’re reading the text, make entries in your Dialectical Journal by following these
guidelines:
 In the “I READ” column. copy down meaningful quotes with page numbers Please copy the
entire quote (ie: no ellipses). Quotes to copy may include the following:
 Details that seem important to you




You have an epiphany

You learn something significant about a character

You recognize a pattern (overlapping images, repetitions of idea, details, etc.)

You agree or disagree with something a character says or does
 You find an interesting or potentially significant quotation
In the “I THOUGHT” column write down a connection, question, conclusion, hypothesis, or big
idea connected to the quote. Make your work in the “I THOUGHT” column thorough,
thoughtful, and insightful. Each response must be at least 60 words (include word count at
the end of each response).
 Details that seem important to you

You have an epiphany

You learn something significant about a character

You recognize a pattern (overlapping images, repetitions of idea, details, etc.)

You agree or disagree with something a character says or does
In the “I LEARNED” section, reflect on the class discussion and explain how it contributed to
your understanding of the text.
All work in the Dialectical Journal must be typed unless it is completed as class work.
Handwritten work will not be accepted for credit.
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AP English Literature
Unit 11: The
Alchemist
Sample Journal:
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
I READ…
“The completeness of this transformation
appalled me. It was unlike anything I had
imagined. I became two men, the observing
one and the one who panicked, who felt
negroid even into the depths of his entrails”
(Griffin 11).
I THOUGHT…
In many movies and books, people wake up and realize how old they truly are. I think that the people
this happens to feel the same as Mr. Griffin does
because he feels that he still a white man; but when
he looks in the mirror, he notices that his skin color
disagrees with his thoughts. Likewise, some people
feel they are still young, but they are trapped in a
body of a person who looks old to too different to be
them. (85 words)
Grading:
A = Meaningful passages, plot, and quotation selections. Thoughtful interpretation and commentary
about the text; avoids clichés. Makes insightful personal connections and asks thought-provoking
questions. Coverage of text is complete and thorough. Journal is neat, organized and professionallooking; student has followed directions in creation of journal.
B = Less detailed, but good plot and quote selections. Some intelligent commentary; addresses some
thematic connections. Some personal connections; asks pertinent questions. Adequately addresses
all parts of reading assignment. Journal is neat and readable; student has followed directions in the
organization of journal.
C = Few good details from the text. Most of the commentary is vague, unsupported, or plot summary /
paraphrase. Limited personal connection; asks few, or obvious questions. Addresses most of the
reading assignment, but is not very long or thorough. Journal is relatively neat, but may be difficult to
read. Student has not followed all directions for organization.
D= Hardly any good details from the text. All notes are plot summary or paraphrase. Limited personal
connections, obvious or superficial questions. Limited coverage of text or responses are much too
short. Did not follow directions in organizing journal; difficult to follow or read. No page numbers.
F= Did not complete or plagiarized.
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AP English Literature
Unit 11: The
Alchemist
The Hero’s Journey
The Hero's Journey is an archetypal pattern identified by mythologist Joseph Campbell. According to Campbell, the
Hero’s Journey forms the underlying structure of every story ever told, including the story of our own lives. This universal
pattern illuminates the stages each individual must go through in order to grow.
The steps below are part of each character’s journey. Think about the steps with respect to Santiago’s growth in The
Alchemist. On the Hero’s Journey diagram, write a quote (include page number) from the book that demonstrates each of
the steps. Then explain how each quote exemplifies the steps of the journey.
Departure
1. The Call: The call to adventure is the point in a person’s life when they are first given notice that everything is going to
change. The person may choose willingly to undertake the quest, or may be dragged into it unwillingly.
2. The Threshold: This is the point where the person actually crosses into the field of adventure, leaving the known limits
of his or her world and venturing into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are not known.
Initiation
3. The Challenges: The challenges are a series of tests, tasks, or ordeals that the person must undergo to begin the
transformation. Often the person fails one or more of these tests, which typically occur in threes.
4. The Abyss: The abyss is the greatest challenge of the journey. In the abyss the person must face his or her greatest fear,
and they must face it alone. He or she must “slay the dragon.”
Transformation
5. The Transformation: The transformation process is a time of death and rebirth. A part of the person dies so that a new
part can be born. Fear must die to make way for courage. Ignorance must die for the birth of enlightenment.
6. The Revelation: Part of the transformation process is a revelation: a sudden, dramatic change in the way the person
thinks or views life.
7. The Atonement: Achieving atonement means that the person is at peace with his or her new self. They have
incorporated the changes caused by the journey and are fully “reborn.”
Return
8. The Return: The final stage of the journey is the return to everyday life. Upon the return, the person discovers his or her
gift, which has been bestowed upon them based on their new level of skill and awareness. The person may become richer
or stronger, or may become enlightened spiritually. The essence of the return is to begin contributing to society.
More information on the Hero’s Journey can be found at www.englightenedenglish.com.
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AP English Literature
Unit 11: The
Alchemist
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AP English Literature
Unit 11: The
Alchemist
The Hero’s Journey
Return
Departure
1. The Call:
8. The Return:
Known
2. The Threshold:
Transformation
7. The Atonement:
Unknown
Initiation
3. The Challenges:
6. The Revelation:
5. The Transformation:
4. The Abyss:
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AP English Literature
Unit 11: The
Alchemist
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