AP Language
American Literature Project Guide
For our final set of assignments this year, you will be selecting an American novel to read as a group. Each group is
responsible for creating a presentation and a project designed around the novel you’ve selected. The guidelines for
the project component of the assignment are as follows:
CONTENT
Although you have quite a bit of freedom in what you
create, the product you design should reflect an
emphasis on thematic rather than plot-based ideas. A
good place to start is with the bulleted list of issues
included with reading selections.
FORM
1. Your project should develop an idea or ideas from
the novel, but it should also expand these ideas
beyond the text in some way
As a group, you will need to design and construct a
product that is developed from concepts you find in
the novel you’ve selected. I am using words like
“consider”, “design”, “develop” , and “construct” to
suggest a series of thoughtful stages that I want you
to work through and to frame this as something other
than what you may consider to be formulaic or
predictable. With this assignment, I am putting a
high value on the product itself.
2. Your product should demonstrate a thoughtful
exploration of ideas that offers the audience an
engaging experience.
Consider interactive digital products- webpage,
online magazine, interactive map, tour, scrapbook,
interactive diagram, pinterest, etc...
3. Your project doesn’t necessarily have to mention
the novel; it can be a “stand-alone” exploration of
ideas from the novel.
You could also design a consumable product like a
documentary styled film, RSA video, Common Craft
video, paper magazine, foldout project, newspaper,
graphic novel, scrapbook, paper dolls, etc…
4. Your group must submit a proposal in which you
identify:
 the central idea or theme that will inform
your product (feminism, ethics in war,
reputation, etc…)
 how you will expand and develop this idea
(make it relevant beyond the text)
 where this idea exists outside the novel
 the form of your product will take
 how the form you’ve chosen helps augment
your ideas- why this form?
I want you to be creative and think outside the box.
Design something that interests you- play to your
strengths; think of yourself as a producer.
A version of an African American Story Quilt could be an option for Their Eyes Were Watching God