Honors English II
Literature Circle Unit
Unit Purpose: The world of non-fiction offers a variety of experiences for the reader with the added ingredient that what
happens in these pieces actually occurred. You will understand how non-fiction writers apply the same techniques as
fiction writers in order for the reader to have a richer experience when reading non-fiction works.
Book Choices
Where Men Win Glory
Hoop Dreams
Devil in the Details
There are No Children Here
A Long Way Gone
House Rules
I Beat the Odds
Jon Krakauer
Ben Joracsky
Jennifer Traig
Alex Kotlowitz
Ishmael Beah
Rachel Sontag
Michael Oher
Group Responsibilities:
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Create a reading calendar for your group. Indicate when different sections of the book need to be completed.
Please note that the book needs to be completed by: ________________________.
For each section of reading, you will be assigned a specific role (listed below) in which you must prepare notes for
the discussion. Make sure you come to class with the prep sheet completed. You will rotate roles with your group
members after each discussion day. Plan a calendar for this as well – each member is responsible for his / her
due date; however, each should keep a complete list of everyone’s due dates.
1. Creative Genius-Make connections between specific moments in the text and a song/movie/book/poem.
2. Discussion Director-Create thought provoking questions about specific moments in the passage.
3. Audience Expert-Analyze the author’s assumptions about the audience based on how the author writes.
4. Style and Tone Expert-Analyze the author’s attitude and means of creating that attitude through his or her
style.
5. Character/Conflict Tracker-Define the author’s method of characterization and evaluate the characters’
means of resolving conflict.
Group Discussion Guidelines:
For each discussion day, one member of the group will write a transcript of the day’s discussion. You can write these
notes as a script by simply following a name with the insight he or she provided. The goal of each “role” is to inspire
discussion on a variety of topics; it is not for each person to give a mini-presentation of his or her homework. After one
person provides a detail of his or her assigned task, the other members of the group should respond with their thoughts,
opinions or counterpoints. Multiple members of the group must respond to each question from the discussion director. I
will assess the group based on the continued discussion (lasting until the end of the period), so be sure to ask group
members follow-up questions.
All members should contribute. Try not to let one member dominate. All books must be open and the discussion should
point to specifics. You will be given an individual participation grade for each discussion day based on your reading notes
and contributions to the discussion. All students should take their own notes. You will be responsible for this information
for future assessments. Students who are absent will be responsible for their role sheet and an additional
discussion makeup assignment.
Name ___________________________
Page #s due _____________
Discussion Director: Your role is to inspire conversation by asking questions concerning specific moments in the work. It
is important to ask questions that promote thinking. Do not ask questions that require the responder to say “Yes” or “No.”
You need a minimum of 5 questions inspired by five different quotes from the assigned reading. Every question
should address the use of at least one literary device and questions should present an array of these (i.e. not every
question should address metaphor only or symbolism only). Also avoid characterization questions as there is a
characterization specialist (you can pair character with another device).
Multiple group members must respond to each question and they must specify how they arrive at a conclusion.
Ask follow up questions to keep everyone engaged.
Quote 1:
Question 1:
Quote 2:
Question 2:
Quote 3:
Question 3:
Quote 4:
Question 4:
Quote 5:
Question 5:
Name ___________________________
Page #s due: ____________
Style Expert: Your role is to pay attention to the author’s style. You need a minimum of 2 passages from the assigned
reading that are at least 5 sentences long. The first passage must come from the first half of the reading; the
second passage should come from the second half of the reading.
Each passage you select should represent how the author uses at least two of the following devices:
 Diction (author’s specific word choice)
 Tone (the author is being indignant, optimistic, funereal etc.)
 Overall structure (chapter breaks, flashbacks, etc.)
 Syntax (sentence structure and organization)
 Compare/contrast with previous works for any of the above
Passage 1
A) This passage begins on page _____ with the sentence ______________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________ and
ends with the sentence _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.
B) Point to multiple spots in the passage to explain how this passage illustrates two of the bullet points above:
Style Expert Cont.
Passage 2
A) This passage begins on page _____ with the sentence _______________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________ and
ends with the sentence _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.
B) Point to multiple spots in the passage to explain how this passage illustrates two of the bullet points above:
Name ___________________________
Page #s due ______________
Creative Genius: Choose one of the following tasks to complete for this section of the reading.
1. Song: Choose a song that reminds you of the mood, events, context, symbolism, conflict, etc. of the section of
reading. Bring in copies of the lyrics to the song for the group to read through; also staple a copy of the lyrics to this
handout. Point to at least four moments in the reading that reminded you of the song and share these thoughts with
the group.
2. Poem/Story/Movie- Choose a story, poem, movie or novel that reminds you of the mood, events, context,
symbolism, conflict, etc. of the section of reading. If you choose a poem, bring in copies of it and staple it to the
handout. If you choose a story or movie, you can attach a summary or synopsis from the internet or you can write a
detailed summary. Point to at least four moments in the reading that reminded you of the source you have chosen.
Quote 1:
Why it reminds you of song, movie or story:
Quote 2:
Why it reminds you of song, movie or story:
Quote 3:
Why it reminds you of song, movie or story:
Quote 4:
Why it reminds you of song, movie or story:
Name ___________________________
Page #s due _______________
Character/Conflict Tracker: You are responsible for finding five examples that either indirectly characterize one of the
characters in the book OR highlight the presentation of internal/external conflicts that are significant to our perception of
the character or the author’s tone and message. Response ideas- explain a significant quote, explain how the passage
gives insight into a character, or explain how the conflict develops/affects the character.
Make sure that when you discuss characterization you make inferences based on physical characteristics and apparel,
dialogue, character thoughts or character actions. Do not simply list obvious traits or repeat the same point about the
character. Use character observations to make predictions, evaluate, or compare/contrast with other characters. Use
conflict observations to also make predictions about the characters, but you should also use them to discuss theme and
the author’s intention.
Quote 1:
Comments on character or conflict:
Quote 2:
Comments on character or conflict:
Quote 3:
Comments on character or conflict:
Quote 4:
Comments on character or conflict:
Quote 5:
Comments on character or conflict:
Name ___________________________
Page #___________
Audience Expert: Your role is to pay attention to how the author connects with the audience. You need a minimum of
2 passages from the assigned reading that are at least 5 sentences long. The first passage must come from the first
half of the reading; the second passage should come from the second half of the reading.
Each passage you select should provide an answer to at least two of the following questions:
 What does the author assume the audience knows and does not know?
 What does the author assume will hold this audience’s interest?
 Is the author introducing an incident he or she feels the audience has not experienced, or is s/he reintroducing a
familiar incident with a different “spin”?
 What does the author do to help the audience connect to this section?
Passage 1
A) This passage begins on page _____ with the sentence ______________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________ and
ends with the sentence _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.
B) Point to multiple spots in the passage to explain how this passage answers two or more of the questions above:
Audience Expert Cont.
Passage 2
A) This passage begins on page _____ with the sentence _______________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________ and
ends with the sentence _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________.
B) Point to multiple spots in the passage to explain how this passage answers two or more of the questions above:
Presentation of Non-Fiction Works
Objective: Use an iMovie along with Explain Everything, Prezi or Powerpoint to convey the author’s intentions for writing this piece by addressing
the following expectations below.
iMovie
Purpose: To introduce the, plot, characters, conflict and tone of the book.
Requirements:
 Must be 2-4 minutes long
 Characterization& Conflict must be presented
o Main Characters must be introduced (remember characters can be either individuals or groups)
o Provide characterization details
 Must have one quote per character that defines him or her
o Conflict(s) must be represented visually
 Images and music should reflect the tone of the book
 Use captions for clarity
 If book is also a movie/documentary images should not just be from the movie/documentary.
Power point/Prezi/Explain Everything:
Purpose: To transition from iMovie and to present style, lit devices, creative genius and audience categories
Requirements:
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1st slide must provide a transition from iMovie to Power Point/Explain Everything/Prezi
o Use a significant image from the iMovie in the first slide to help transition.
1st slide must explain:
o How tone was conveyed in the iMovie through images and music
o Highlight / Briefly explain the character/ conflict
 Explain significance of the character quote from the iMovie
 Provide a significant quote about the conflict and explain significance
o Transition to rest of power point
Group must provide a hand out to the audience to help follow presentation
o Hand out must:
 Incorporate each category of the presentation
 Present/organize information creatively
The rest of the slides must include:
o a brief passage or quote for each role
o Audience Connection- this slide should define the audience of the book and show how the writing reflects that audience.
o Style -(diction, syntax, overall structure)
o Discussion Director- Analyze literary technique: symbolism, motif, simile, metaphor etc.
o Creative Genius (Music that connects to the book)
How to “Keep it Classy ” but not “Boring” while using Power point :
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Presentation must be mostly visual and auditory. Use Images, Music, Movie Clips to spice up your presentation.
Use small phrases, words, captions and titles only. No paragraphs (Let’s be honest, no one wants to read that much)
Broaden your Horizons: Use Prezi, Explain Everything etc. to make it more fun!
Your text and background colors should look attractive, but also neat and professional.
Though crazy transitions are fun to use between slides, again keep it professional. Simple transitions are the way to go.