Summer Assignment for 6th and 7th Grade
Directions: Choose two books from the list below. For each book, you will get to choose a different
task. Both essays should be at least four paragraphs long, but no longer than six. Please follow the
format we have used all year. If you need help, go on the OLOW website and print out the writer’s
workshop power points. If you use outside resources, be sure to cite the resource on a Works Cited
page in addition to where you incorporate the citation in your work. You must incorporate evidence
(quotes) in your body paragraphs. In the introductory paragraph, be sure to include a T.A.G
statement (title, author, and genre). Remember that the genre is the category that the book falls
into: science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, etc.).
Due date: First day of school
Tasks:
Option 1: Write a thematic essay. Choose one theme from the novel and explain what literary
devices make this theme evident (at least two).
Option 2: Critical lens essay- A critical lens essay is when you are given a quote, and you are
required to show the reader how it applies to a specific text by saying that the quotes statement is
true or false. Within this list there are a few books that are about dystopian societies. A dystopia
is the opposite of a utopia. Thus, if you choose one of these books, you may choose this option.
Please incorporate how at least two literary devices help you to establish your application of the
quote to the novel. Write a critical lens essay based upon the following prompt:
“Every faction conditions its members to think and act a certain way. And most people do it. For
most people, it's not hard to learn, to find a pattern of thought that works and stay that way. But
our minds move in a dozen different directions. We can't be confined to one way of thinking, and
that terrifies our leaders. It means we can't be controlled. And it means that no matter what they
do, we will always cause trouble for them.”
Can people be controlled to think a certain way, or is this quote correct in saying that people’s
thoughts cannot be confined?
― Veronica Roth, Divergent
Option 3: Plot, setting, and character interaction- Determine the authors purpose, and explain how
the plot, setting, and characters help to establish this purpose.
Option 4: Research Paper- Some of these novels are either historical fiction, or non-fiction. If you
pick one of those novels, this is a good option for you. If you choose a historical fiction novel, prove
whether or not the novel is true to the time period by researching the time period of the book.
Incorporate evidence and cite any sources you use. If you choose a non-fiction option, further
research the topic of your novel and explain why this would interest a reader.
Book list:
James Dashner. The Maze Runner.
Chris Bradford. The Way of the Warrior.
Rebecca Stead. When You Reach Me.
Jasper Fforde. The Last Dragonslayer.
John Flanagan. The Outcasts.
S. J. Kincaid. Insignia.
Marie Lu. Legend.
Mike Lupica. Travel Team.
Marissa Meyer. Cinder.
Mark Twain. The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer.
Dan Wells. Partials.
Richard Yancey. The 5th Wave .
Orson Scott Card. Ender’s Game
Rodman Philbrick. Freak the Mighty
Nancy Farmer-A Girl Named Disaster
Carl Hiaasen. Hoot
Jacqueline Woodson. Hush
Mal Peet. Keeper
Katherine Paterson. Lyddie
James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. My Brother Sam is Dead
Cynthia Voigt. The Runner
Christopher Paul Curtis. Bud, Not Buddy
Laurence Yep. Dragonwings
Jean Craighead George. Frightful’s Mountain
Linda Sue Park. A Long Walk to Water
Writing Tips
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Use a proper format: Times New Roman, size twelve, double spaced, indent when
you start a new paragraph (use the tab space).
Use a proper heading:
Name
Date
Teacher
Subject
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Stay formal: never write ‘I’ in your essay. Even though you are writing it, whenever
you feel like you want to incorporate yourself, try to replace ‘I’ with ‘the reader.’
Always determine your purpose before you begin to write. Ask yourself, who is
going to be reading this, and what do I want them to learn?
Look back at the task and determine how you want to organize your paper. Before
you start writing, brainstorm!
After brainstorming begin your rough draft. Remember that writing is a process, so
this is the first step!
After you finish your first draft, take a break. Give yourself a day or two away
from it. That way, when you go back to edit and revise, you have a fresh mind.
While editing your work, look for organization, the standard English conventions
(grammar usage), syntax (sentence structure), and your details.
IICE and TIICE your evidence. (Introduce your evidence, Insert the actual quote,
Cite where you found the quote, and Explain why it applies to your thesis). When
inserting a second or third piece of evidence into the same paragraph, TIICE your
quotes. (Transition, Introduce, Insert, Cite, Explain)
Always remember to start your body paragraphs with a topic sentence that helps to
prove your thesis, and end it with a concluding sentence that restates your topic
sentence.
All essays must have an introduction paragraph, and a conclusion paragraph.
You thesis should be found in the introduction paragraph. This claim will help the
reader to understand what your purpose is.
Have a friend or family member read your work. It is always helpful to have
someone else, who is unfamiliar with the task, read your writing!
Before submitting these assignments at the beginning of the school year, ask
yourself: Am I proud of my work?