Culminating Performance Task (CPT)
Grade Nine Applied English
Name:
Date:
In Grade Nine, each student is required to complete a final project called the CPT. The CPT is worth 15%
of your overall average in Grade Nine English. The CPT is based on skills that have been taught
throughout the semester and simulates some of the activities found on the Grade 10 Literacy Test. The
CPT must be completed independently, be in MLA format where instructed, and the majority of tasks
must be completed under the direct supervision of the teacher.
Students will be completing EACH of the tasks below after studying Macbeth.
Complete EACH of the following tasks:
1. News Report
Write a news report explaining the details of ONE important scene or event in the text OTHER
THAN King Duncan’s Death. The news report must include a headline, byline, picture, caption, 5paragraph article in columns covering the 5Ws. All these aspects must be TYPED and formatted
correctly, as practiced in class. Remember the news report must NOT be a summary of the story and
MUST contain only facts and examples, not opinions. (150-250 words, TYPED)
ROUGH OUTLINE DUE: Tuesday, January 8th
FINAL EDITED COPY DUE: Monday, January 14th
2. Character Sketch
In a well-formatted paragraph, using one character that is central to the story, identify 3 main
traits and explain how those traits are developed throughout the text. Paragraphs must include specific
examples and at least 1 properly cited quotation from the text. (250-350 words , TYPED, and in MLA
format)
ROUGH EDITED COPY DUE: Wednesday, January 9th
FINAL EDITED COPY DUE: Monday, January 14th
3. Graphic
Create a graphic text to display an important theme from the text. This graphic must be neatly
presented on an 8 ½ by 11 paper. You must include 1 key phrase that refers to the theme: this will be
your title and in the largest font.
You must select phrases from the story that develop the
theme (3 direct quotations), and 3 additional phrases from present day that help convey the theme, at
least 5 images related to the text that will help to illustrate the theme, its characters, setting, and 3
images from clip art, google, etc. that illustrate the same message in today’s society.
ROUGH EDITED COPY DUE: Thursday, January 10th
FINAL EDITED COPY DUE: Monday, January 14th
NO PORTION OF THIS ASSIGNMENT MAY BE SUBMITTED ANY LATER THAN
Wednesday, January 16th
ANY PORTION OUTSTANDING WILL RECEIVE A MARK OF ZERO.
News Report Template
Possible Headline:
Paragraph Expectations
1
Lead: when, where, who
and what
2
What – in more detail
Why the event occurred?
How the event occurred?
3
Quotation from one
source –
Who is speaking?
4
Quotation from a different
source –
Who is speaking?
5
Conclusion – What is
happening today!!
My Notes
** CHECKLIST
TASK
Headline of
article
Picture
Rough Notes
Writing the
Article
Paragraph 2
Paragraphs 3
and 4
Paragraph 5
Overall
Ask myself…
What I did…
___ did I create a simple phrase to catch reader’s attention?
___ does it provide an overview of the action in the article?
___ did I include a photo that reflects the main event referred to in my article?
___ does it indicate who is involved?
___ does it indicate where the event occurred?
___ did I use a graphic organizer (above) to begin my article or to create point
form notes?
-does the lead clearly identify:
___ who (is involved)?
___ what (happened)?
___ where (did it happen)?
___ when (did it happen)?
-does my second paragraph explain:
___ why (did it happen)?
___ how (did it happen)?
-do these paragraphs:
___ include at least TWO direct quotes?
___ identify who is quoted?
___ give relevant information in the quote?
-does my last paragraph:
___ close the article?
___ give important information?…state why this is important to know?
___ did I write at least 5 brief paragraphs?
___ write in complete sentences?
___ write in the third person?
___ use past-tense verbs?
___ organize the writing in columns?
NEWS REPORT Reflection Questions
1. Explain how the template and checklist were useful when brainstorming or writing your first copy.
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2. Explain how or why critically evaluating your own writing during the editing and revising stage using
the checklist can produce a better final product.
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CPT – Character Sketch –Definition and Example
A character sketch is a written description of a character in a story, novel or play. The purpose is to
create a picture of the person, through effective adjectives, to describe him or her to your audience. You
must also provide concrete examples from the story to support each of your opinions.
EXAMPLE:
In the story “On the Bridge,” the central character Adam is revealed to be a rebellious teen, who
is also fearless, and someone who also proves himself to be untrustworthy. First, Adam comes across as
rebellious because his actions are defiant. In fact, he buys cigarettes and smokes illegally, and while on
the bridge after school with Seth, he “whipped his arm forward” (Strasser 2) causing a woman’s car to
swerve out of its lane. Adam lives his life according to his own set of rules which demonstrates he is
rebellious. Additionally, he is also fearless. He describes to Seth a fight that he had with some random
guy at a mall. He states to Seth, “he thought he could take me because I was smaller. But I don’t let
anyone push me around” (Strasser 1). Even though Adam could have been hurt, he stands up to
anyone who confronts him even if he may be in danger himself. Lastly, Adam proves that he really is
untrustworthy. While he comes across as tough at the beginning of the story, he does not even step up
to defend Seth when his face is smashed against the car windshield. Rather, Adam tells Seth that he
couldn’t get involved because “one of them held a knife on me” (Strasser 3). Adam seems to by lying
just to protect himself and his image because after the men leave, only then does he offer to help Seth.
Adam is an important character with many different traits, and he is central to developing conflicts in
the short story.
Review the characteristics chart below and use it to help you complete the
graphic organizer on the next page.
Humble
Funny
Rich
Handsome
Unselfish
Imaginative
Independent
Bright
Short
Shy
Busy
Successful
Helpful
Fancy
Conceited
Gentle
Neat
Loveable
Able
Pleasing
Tireless
Good
Brave
Humorous
Tall
Pretty
Self-confident
Inventive
Intelligent
Honest
Adventurous
Bold
Patriotic
Responsible
Happy
Plain
Leader
Proud
Joyful
Prim
Quiet
Bossy
Energetic
Thoughtful
Courageous
Sad
Strong
Extroverted
Respectful
Creative
Compassionate
Mischievous
Hard-working
Daring
Fun-loving
Lazy
Disagreeable
Excited
Expert
Wild
Pitiful
Proper
Curious
Witty
Cheerful
Light-hearted
Serious
Poor
Charming
Selfish
Considerate
Thrilling
Keen
Friendly
Timid
Dainty
Popular
Dreamer
Simple
Studious
Demanding
Messy
Cooperative
Ambitious
Reserved
Fighter
Smart
Generous
CHARACTER SKETCH - TEMPLATE
Complete the chart below based on the character you have chosen for you character sketch paragraph.
Character
Characteristic
Evidence from the story (quote or specific example)
Name:
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
Using the information from your chart, complete the character sketch outline below using the 3
characteristics and examples in the chart above.
Topic Sentence: In one sentence identify the novel, the character you have chosen to write about and
the 3 characteristics you will prove he or she has.
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Characteristic #1: In a sentence identify the first characteristic your character has.
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Example/Quote #1: In a sentence, provide a quote or example that proves your character has this
characteristic.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Explain how the example proves the character has the trait:
Characteristic #2: In a sentence identify the second characteristic your character has.
___________________________________________________________________
Example/Quote #2: In a sentence, provide a quote or example that proves your character has this
characteristic.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Explain how the example proves the character has the trait:
Characteristic #3: In a sentence identify the third characteristic your character has.
___________________________________________________________________
Example/Quote #3: In a sentence, provide a quote or example that proves your character has this
characteristic.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Explain how the example proves the character has the trait:
Concluding Sentence: In one sentence, restate the name of the character you chose to write about and
the three characteristics you have proven they possess.
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Before writing your final copy in MLA format, review the following checklist.
Did I… check for grammar and spelling mistakes?
o
use transition words (at the beginning of each characteristic, introducing examples, at the end of the paragraph)?
o
identify at least 3 characteristics?
o
include a quote or specific example for each characteristic?
o
focus on only one character?
Running Away IS NOT the Answer
“I planned the
escape
carefully” (19).
“I’ve thought a lot about why I ran away from home, and
it’s still pretty tough to put my reasons into a couple of
tidy sentences” (20).
“I was sick of my life and
already sick of the future
that everybody had
planned for me but
nobody bothered to
consult me about” (19).
Graphic Planning Sheet
1. Main Theme/Lesson:
(key phrase)
2. Textual Support from the novel or play to show how it is developed: (3 minimum)
a)
b)
c)
3. Quotes or phrases I can take from the internet to teach the same lesson: (3 minimum)
a)
b)
c)
4. Pictures I need to reflect setting, characters, conflicts, theme, etc. from the text: (5)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
5. Random pictures I need to reflect same lesson in a general way: (3)
a)
b)
c)