Author Study & Purpose for Writing
Pre-reading Activity for Monster, by Walter Dean Myers
ELACCS8.RI.6: Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author
acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
Who is Walter Dean Myers? What was his purpose for writing Monster? What are the similarities between his
novel and his life? Learn the answer to these questions by reading several informational texts about Walter
Dean Myers. Knowledge gained from this project will help you better understand the book that we are about
to read, Monster by Walter Dean Myers.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge - College and Career Readiness Anchor Standard for
Writing #7: Student will conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused
questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Introduction
This project will help acquaint you with the life of Walter Dean Myers, author of the fictional novel entitled
Monster. Learning about Walter Dean Myers will help you understand his perspective and fully connect with
his purpose for writing the novel.
Group 3 Task - Your task is to use the resources provided to research the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
When and where was Walter Dean Myers born?
What was his real name and why did he change it?
Who are his parents?
Who raised him?
What was his life like as a child?
6. What are the similarities between his novel and
his life?
7. What was his purpose for writing Monster?
8. What other novels did he write?
9. Is he still alive, if not when did he die and what
was the cause of his death?
You will be required to:
 Collect data and pictures
 Record your findings
 Organize your information
 Create a flipbook or booklet that includes the answers to all nine questions
Process
Your job is to research information about Walter Dean Myers by collecting data on the questions above. Read
the articles included to help you attain the information that is needed. Record the information that you collect
on the sheet provided. When you are done thoroughly researching each topic, you will demonstrate
knowledge and understanding by creating a flipbook about Walter Dean Myers.
The following are the requirements needed:
 You need a catchy title. Remember who your audience is.
 You must included data on each of the questions.
 You must include at least FIVE pictures.
 The flipbook must be attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.
 Grammar, capitalization, punctuation and spelling should be correct.
 Be creative!
 Review the grading rubric to see exactly what gets you the highest grade possible.
 Use class time wisely…three days is all the time you have!
Monster Project Rubric
CATEGORY
4
3
Use of Class
Time
Used time well during
each class period.
Focused on getting the
project done. Never
distracted others.
Used time well during each
class period. Usually
focused on getting the
project done and never
distracted others.
Used some of the time
well during each class
period. There was some
focus on getting the
project done but
occasionally distracted
others.
Did not use class time to
focus on the project OR
often distracted others.
Required
Elements
The project includes
all required elements
as well as additional
information.
All required elements are
included on the project.
All but 1 of the required
elements are included on
the project.
Several required
elements were missing.
Attractiveness
2
The project is
The project is attractive in The project is acceptably
exceptionally attractive terms of design, layout and attractive though it may be
in terms of design,
neatness.
a bit messy.
layout, and neatness.
1
The project is
distractingly messy or
very poorly designed. It is
not attractive.
Writing
Conventions
Capitalization,
There are 1-2 errors in
grammar and
capitalization, grammar or
punctuation are
punctuation.
correct throughout the
project.
There are 3-4 errors in
There are more than 4
capitalization, grammar or errors in capitalization,
punctuation.
grammar or punctuation.
Creativity
Pictures correspond
with topics. Student
goes beyond the
required expectations.
It shows that a lot of
thought went into
project.
Few pictures correspond
with topics. Student almost
met required expectations.
Little thought went into
project.
Most pictures correspond
with topics. Student met
required expectations.
Some thought went into
project.
Pictures do not
correspond with topics.
Student did not meet
required expectations.
Little to no thought went
into project.
.