English 3-CP Contemporary Literature Project
100 Points
For 2015-16, in place of the traditional required summer reading, English 3-CP
students will complete an independent contemporary literature assignment that
will be due on Monday, May 2, 2016. This independent reading assignment will be
officially assigned before winter break at the end of first semester. Therefore,
English 3-CP students DO NOT have anything due on day one of school and will NOT
be testing on day two. Students are welcome to complete the assignment during the
summer if they choose, but again, it will not be due until May 2, 2016.
Objective: Choose ONE contemporary novel from the list below, read it, and
complete either an essay or project. Essays/Projects are DUE ON Monday, May 2!
Contemporary Novels (Listed by Genre/Theme)
1. Dystopian Society
a. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
b. The Compound S.A. Bodeen
c. Empty by Suzanne Weyn
d. The Selection by Kiera Cass
e. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
2. Life and Death
a. Sickened by Julie Gregory (Nonfiction)
b. Please Stop Laughing at Me by Jodee Blanco (Nonfiction)
c. 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult
d. Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
e. Looking for Alaska by John Green
3. Science Fiction
a. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
b. The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey
c. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
d. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
e. This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
4. Love
a. He Said, She Said by Kwame Alexander
b. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
c. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
d. Everyday by David Levithan
e. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
5. Sports
a. Striking Gridiron by Greg Nichols (Nonfiction)
b. Solo by Hope Solo (Nonfiction)
c. Juice by Eric Walters
d. Force Out by Tim Green
e. True Legend by Mike Lupica
6. Mystery/Thriller
a. Columbine by Dave Cullen (Nonfiction)
b. I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
c. The Night She Disappeared by April Henry
d. Beyond by Graham Mcnamee
e. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
7. Classic Contemporary
a. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
b. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
c. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
d. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
e. The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Requirements
1. Read ONE of the contemporary novels from the above list
2. Choose to either write an analytical essay about the novel or create a creative project based
on the novel. You only need to choose ONE! ESSAY MUST BE TYPED.
a. Analytical Essay
i. Essay should examine how the novel exemplifies the genre/theme it is under.
Must include three examples proving the novel fits its genre. For each
example, use at least ONE direct quote (cited using MLA) from the novel as
support.
ii. Must be at least FIVE paragraphs in length
1. Introduction
a. Attention Getter
b. Brief Summary of Plot
c. Thesis Statement (3 examples the prove the contemporary
novel you read exemplifies the genre/theme it is under)
2. Body Paragraphs (one per each reason)
a. Each paragraph must begin with a topic sentence introducing
each reason.
b. Be sure to introduce each example.
c. Use proper MLA citation for quotations (Author’s Last Name
Page Number).
d. Be sure to FULLY EXPLAIN how each example proves the novel
fits its genre/theme.
3. Conclusion
a. Revisit Thesis
b. Summarize Main Points
c. Relate back to Attention Getter
b. Creative Project
i. If you decide to create a project, choose ONE of the following projects to
complete based on your contemporary novel.
1. Newspaper Front Pages
a. Create THREE front pages of a popular magazine or newspaper
that reflect your novel.
b. These front pages should include pictures, headlines,
magazine/newspaper titles, etc. Use existing magazines or
newspapers as examples. Must be in color!
c. Remember the purpose of the front page is to SELL! (People
will judge a book by its cover)
d. Each front page needs to be explained in a TYPED paragraph
(at least 6-8 sentences). Explain why you did what you did,
using specific examples from the novel as support. You must
use at least ONE direct quote (cited using MLA) as support.
2. Illustrate THREE Scenes
a. The illustrations should represent an important aspect of the
novel (the conflict, climax, resolution, etc.)
b. All illustrations must be neat, creative, and in color
c. All illustrations must be explained in a TYPED paragraph (at
least 6-8 sentences). Explain why you did what you did, using
specific examples from the novel as support. You must use at
least ONE direct quote (cited using MLA) as support.
3. Photos
a. Photograph three scenes, characters, etc. from the novel.
b. You should stage these photographs, but they must represent
the novel in some way.
c. Be creative! Use costumes, props, etc.
d. Photographs must be printed and brought in.
e. All photos must be explained in a TYPED paragraph (at least 68 sentences). Explain why you did what you did, using specific
examples from the novel as support. You must use at least
ONE direct quote (cited using MLA) as support.
4. Create your own film
a. You must portray THREE short scenes.
b. You are responsible for finding actors to be in your film, and
you must play a role in it as well.
c. A formal script must be turned in with your film.
d. WARNING: Do not attempt this project unless you intend to
take it seriously and you have experience with either acting
and/or video equipment.
Rubric
1. Analytical Essay
a. Introduction
b. Body Paragraphs
c. Conclusion
d. Grammar, Format, and Mechanics
___________/100
_________/20
_________/40
_________/20
_________/20
OR
2. Creative Project
a. Neatness, creativity
b. Project meets all requirements
c. Writing requirements
d. Grammar and mechanics
___________/100
_________/25
_________/40
_________/20
_________/15