ENG3U – INDEPENDENT STUDY UNIT
– LITERARY CIRCLES (15% OF FINAL GRADE)
Expectations:
1. You will work in groups of 2-3 in literary circles to share your thoughts and assist you in
understanding the book and getting different points of view. To that end, you will have to read
the same book.
• Look at the different categories of books listed below. Select three potential books that
you would like to discuss. Read summaries of the book online to see if that would
interest you.
• Who else has selected the same book or a book in the same category? These
classmates will form your literary circle. (Please note: the teacher is there to assist or
to help in forming groups or in giving advice.) DISCUSS with the others to select
your reading.
2. Choose the book. Be sure that you are able to obtain a copy.
3. Read your book as soon as you can.
4. You will meet with your literary circle members where you must find A MINIMUM OF ONE
critical review on your selection. All members must agree on the critique. You will continue to
meet and discuss relevant issues.
5. INDIVIDUALLY, you will write a 1000 word essay on ONE aspect of the novel. It will be
your choice as to what you are proving (thesis), but this is where other members of your literary
circle can offer guidance (as well as your teacher). Your literary circle members will assist in
peer editing your individual essay. The essay will be marked in the Knowledge, Thinking and
Application categories of your culminating activity mark. The due date: _______________.
6. Oral Presentation (Individual)
7. You will discuss an area from your ISP novel. This may be your essay topic or another topic
relevant to your selection.
8. Your main point of consideration will be: If I had to teach this topic to the class, how would I
ensure that they understand what I am teaching them?
9. Your oral presentation must include:
• An appropriate introduction of the selection and author.
• Quotations from your selected work.
• ONE visual element to assist your presentation (i.e., a digital poster, a Power Point
Presentation, Prezi)
10. Length: 3-5 minutes
11. Your oral presentation will be evaluated in the Communication category of your culminating
activity mark.
Some considerations:
o DON’T SUMMARIZE THE PLOT. Write your observations about the book, and conclusions
about those observations.
o Use the literary terms discussed in class
o Follow MLA format, as presented in class.
o See me for help, advice, proofreading and clarification.
Expectations:
1. With your literary circle members, select one work from the following list.
2. Hand in your proposed thesis and outline on ________________. You can always go back
and revise your thesis and outline later.
3. Hand in the rough draft of your essay on
_
4. Write a 1000-word critical essay (include an outline, rough copy and works cited page)
– Submitted on or before ____________________.
5. Give a 3-5-minute electronic presentation on ___________________.
ISP LITERARY ESSAY RUBRIC
Success Criteria
Level 1 (50% - 59%)
Level 2 (60% - 69%)
Level 3 (70% - 79%)
Level 4 (80% - 100%)
-limited with many
errors and omissions
-several errors and /or
omissions
-competent with
minor errors and/or
omissions; intro gets
the reader’s attention
and the intro leaves a
broader implication.
-insightful; skillful
-several errors; many
missing
-some errors in MLA
formatting
-minor errors in MLA
-nearly flawless use of
MLA formatting
-flawed thesis
-quotations are
incorrect
-explanation missing
in parts for full thesis
development
-thesis is sufficient;
lacking a flaw in the
presentation of thesis
-examples are
sufficient but
simplistic
-thesis shows some
insight
-competent and
convincing;
-explanations
elaborate on the
example
-thesis shows
creativity and good to
keen insight
-skillful to masterful
unique interpretation
-maturity and good
insight with original
explanations
-several errors impede
understanding
-limited flow, topic
sentences, transitions,
or references to these
-errors interrupt the
essay’s fluidity
-several errors or
omissions
-minor errors
-competent: flow is
smooth in most
paragraphs, all topic
sentences reflect
argument, transitions
are mostl used
effectively;
-mechanics are skillful
to masterful; flawless
and unique style
-topic sentences,
effective transitions,
thesis always
referenced
Knowledge
-intro identifies title
and author, attention
grabber, a plan of
development. Thesis
statement is the final
statement. Conclusion
reverses the order,
leaving a general
statement or broader
implications
-MLA formatting:
headers, in-text
citations, Works Cited
Level _____ = ____ %
Thinking
-thesis (a clear position
is asserted)
-examples/evidence
-explanations of
examples and link to
the thesis
Level _____ - _____%
Application
-mechanics of writing
(spelling, grammar,
etc.)
-proper topic sentences,
transitions and
reference to thesis
-method of
development
Level _____ - _____%
ISP ORAL PRESENTATION RUBRIC
Success Criteria
Communication
LEVEL = ______
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
(50%-59%)
- communicates
information and
ideas with limited
effectiveness;
presentation is too
long/short;
(60%-69%
- communicates
information and ideas
with some
effectiveness;
presentation is too
long/short;
(70%-79%)
- communicates
information clearly
and concisely;
completes
presentation within
time allotted;
- communicates with
limited organization;
topic is not very
clear, and is
explained to a
limited degree;
- communicates with
some organization;
topic is somewhat
clear, and somewhat
explained;
- communicates with
considerable
organization; topic is
clear with
considerable
explanation;
-reads the entire
presentation; voice is
not always clear;
lacks confidence in
presentation
- reads some of the
presentation; voice is
audible; some
confidence in
presentation
-makes good eye
contact; engages
audience to a
considerable degree;
voice is clear;
confident
presentation
-visual component
holds limited appeal
-visual component
holds some appeal
-competent visual
element
Level 4
(80%-100%
- communicates
information and
ideas with excellent
flow; clear, concise
and organized;
completes
presentation within
time allotted
- communicates
with thorough
organization; topic
is clear, and
thoroughly
explained;
-makes excellent
eye contact;
engages audience
to a great degree;
voice is very clear;
very confident
manner
-insightful,
engaging visual
element