“Buried Onions” Final Project
“Buried Onions” is a novel about a young boy’s struggle to make the right decisions in an oppressive,
environment. Eddie has very few positive influences in his life and every time he takes a step in the right
direction, it seems as if something bad happens in return.
For this final project, you will choose one of the following assignments to complete. Each assignment contains
a written portion, and you must cite evidence from the text for each assignment. You will also be required to
present a portion of your project to the class during a three minute presentation.
Option One – Soundtrack for the book
For this assignment, you will choose six songs that reflect the theme of “Buried Onions.” You can choose songs
which pertain to intense moments in the story, significant scenes that drive the plot, or songs about particular
characters, there are many possibilities, but you must be able to explain the significance of the song and how
it connects to the story. You must print the lyrics for each song.
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Requirements:
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6 song minimum (only one can be instrumental)
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Lyrics for each song
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Analysis of why you chose each song and how it connects with the story
Option Two – Movie Trailer
For this assignment you will pretend that there will be a movie for the book. You are to create a 2 minute
video that will serve as a movie trailer for the upcoming film.
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Requirements:
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Minimum two minutes in length
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Narration explaining what the movie will be about
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Script of what you will say written in paragraph form
Option Three – Poem
You will write a poem that reflects the messages, theme, symbolism, life of Eddie, life in Fresno, struggles
being a young, Hispanic boy trying to escape gang life, etc. The possibilities are endless. There are so many
incidents in the novel worthy of a poem.
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Requirements
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Twenty line minimum
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Fig Language to include the following minimum requirements:
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3 similes
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2 metaphors
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3 personification
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Symbolism
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Sensory details (images that appeal to sight, sound, smell, taste, touch)
One image that represents your poem
Option Four – Essay
For this assignment you will write a five paragraph essay analyzing the character Eddie or Angel or about the
theme found in “Buried Onions”.
Requirements for character analysis:
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You must pick three character traits that describe Eddie or Angel
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You must pick a minimum of 6 quotes from the text to use as evidence to support your
argument that these are valid character traits representing the character’s actions
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Five paragraphs Must follow standard essay format as follows:
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Paragraph one – introduction with hook, background information and thesis statement
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Paragraph two – 1st character trait with analysis
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Paragraph three – 2nd character trait with analysis
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Paragraph four – 3rd character trait with analysis
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Paragraph five – conclusion
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Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar
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You MUST provide the page #s for the quotes you use
Requirements for theme essay:
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Define the theme (a universal message about life) of “Buried Onions”. It must be stated in your
first paragraph as your thesis statement
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Must have a minimum of 6 quotes from the text to support your theme analysis
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Five paragraphs must follow standard essay format as follows:
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Paragraph one – introduction with hook, background information and thesis statement
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Paragraph two – 1st reason with quote and analysis
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Paragraph three – 2nd reason with quote and analysis
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Paragraph four – 3rd reason with quote and analysis
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Paragraph five – conclusion
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Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar
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You MUST provide the page #s for the quotes you use
Option Five – create your own assignment, but it must be approved by me prior