Novel choices:
1984 by George Orwell
Scythe by Neal Schusterman
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Horror & Science Fiction Fourth Quarter
Independent Book Reading Project
You must complete all of the individual parts of the project in order to get full credit.
Pay attention to the deadlines. There are five different parts to complete.
1. Project Proposal: In a typed statement, tell me what book you are reading, the author of
your book, why you are interested in this book/subject, and a sneak preview of what your
actual final project might look like. This proposal is NOT a binding contract; you can change
your mind about your book or project as you read. I just need to know that you are thinking
about the process and that you have some ideas.
This component is worth 15% of the total project grade and is due ________________.
2. Vocabulary List: Create a list of at LEAST twenty (20) new vocabulary words with
definitions that you’ve encountered while reading your selected book. Each vocabulary word
must also have the book’s page number where you found the word.
This component is worth 10% of the total project grade.
Due date: __________________.
3. Dialectical Journal entries for your book. Complete ten (10) total entries. They need to be
in order and spread throughout your book. Due dates will be staggered throughout your
reading of the book. Format for journal entries is below.
This component is worth 10% of the total project grade.
Due date 1:__________________
Due date 2:__________________
Due date 3:__________________
Dialectical journal entries should follow the two-column format as outlined below.
Dialectical Journal Format
LEFT SIDE
Selecting a passage from your
chosen novel – a few sentences to
a paragraph that captures your
interest.
Copy the passage EXACTLY the
way it was written in the text
using quotation marks. Include
the page number for the passage.
RIGHT SIDE
In the right hand column, respond to the passage. The
response must touch on the following 3 areas:
1. Summary – an explanation of events that have occurred
in the section of the novel.
2. Analysis – an analyzing of a literary element in the
passage (figurative language, imagery, mood, etc.)
3. Interpretation/Commentary – your thoughts on the
passage. Predictions, questions, drawing conclusions
are all acceptable.
4. Book Talk: Each student will be responsible for a brief (under 5 minute) verbal overview of
his/her book. You will deliver a short speech about the book sharing the key elements and/or
highlights of the book with your peers. During your book talk, you will also show the class
your final project (see below).
This component is worth 15% of your total project grade. Due date: __________________
5. Final Project: A creative response to the novel. Choose one of the ideas below or come up
with your own. Presentation of these projects to the class during your book talk will
conclude your projects.
This component is worth 50% of your total project grade. Due date:__________________
Final Project Ideas:
 Teach the class something about your book using monologues (solo speeches), dialogues
(speeches/conversations involving two people), recipes, memos (letters or correspondence
between characters), role playing, acting a dramatic scene, or a scrapbook

Use music, art, maps (Is your book about a journey? Map that journey for your peers),
games (invent a board game or simple computer game the class can play), a video
presentation or short movie, or a podcast where you interview a main character from your
book

Use newspaper articles or format, photos, pantomime, dance, sculpture, puppets, or diorama
(a scale model scene from your book like those featured in Night at the Museum) to present
some idea or characters from your book

Create a picture book for children (this works ONLY for appropriate content) or design a
brief graphic novel of a key scene in the plot of your novel—you don’t NEED to create
pictures for the entire book!

Explain a process—how to make, do or build something related to the novel you read. Build
a model of something and explain it or have the class build or make something while you tell
us how

You might also take a more conventional route and do a brief literary/research paper on your
book.

Create a faux-movie trailer or sneak preview of a film adaptation of your book.
NOT RECOMMENDED: slideshows about the author of the book, as these typically have very
little to do with actual content of the book.
SUPER IMPORTANT WARNING: no cheesy posters that simply restate the plot of the book
and feature a few pictures of characters from the book. You have a month to read your book and
work on your final project!
Note: Final exams will be directly related to the book you have chosen for this project.