Option #1: Outside Reading Oral Presentation: Booktalk
In a short oral presentation of 3-5 minutes, you will attempt to create interest and intrigue about your
fictional outside reading novel. In doing so, you must cover the following information about your novel.
You may do so any way you wish, using any means of creativity you feel would work for your particular
book (i.e. speaking as an enthusiastic reader, speaking from the main character’s point of view, speaking as
the author to an audience, using a visual aid of some kind, acting out scenes, etc.). The key is to keep the
audience’s attention and make them want to read the novel without giving away the entire plot. Suspense
can be very powerful. Going over the allotted time too much (approx. 1 min..) or failing to touch upon the
points mentioned below will adversely affect your grade. A hard copy of your presentation is to be turned
in as well.
Necessary information (elements of fiction):
 Characters (the main ones who propel the story forward)
 Setting (the main time and place of the story)
 Mood (the dominant atmosphere of the novel)
 Conflict (one or two, internal or external, that are used)
 Theme (what universal lesson or main idea the author is presenting about life)
These do not have to be presented in this order, and in order to avoid boring your audience, you should not
simply list the elements as you address them. Be theatrical! For example, if you were pretending to be the
main character, you may not want to say “the setting where this part of my life happened was…” Be
creative and engaging!
Finally, when speaking to us, make sure you remember the following:
 Make eye contact with the entire audience
 Speak loudly and clearly enough for all to hear
 Vary your tone of voice appropriately to display emotion and enthusiasm
 Physical movement, even if it’s only hand gestures, can be effective in emphasizing certain points
and keeping audience’s attention
 You must have the book with you, show it to us at some point, and say the title and author’s name.
Option #2: Outside Reading Interpretation: Musical Soundtrack
Pretend that your book has been adapted into a film; you have been given the job of music supervisor. You
must create a soundtrack, choosing songs carefully for certain major and minor scenes from the story. You
are to create an overall mood, tone and feeling that support your “film.” This assignment choice is personal
and creative. I want to hear your voice, your vision, your interpretation of the novel.
The assignment will consist of one customized CD containing all of your songs, and a minimum of 3 pages
containing the following information for each song (minimum 4 songs):
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A summary of the major scene in the book that you are using for the song.
An explanation of the scenes you chose for each song and the significance of the song you chose
to accompany each one. Why is this scene significant to the plot? Why did you choose this
particular song? How does it relate to the rest of the story? Characters?
A description of the song and its lyrics. Describe lyrics, tone, musical instruments, mood, purpose,
artist, etc.
Excerpts of lines from the lyrics that give a good understanding of the song in its entirety.
Explanation: What made you think of this song? Why would it enhance the scene? How is it
connected to the overall theme or tone of the book?
You must attach a CD with all your songs in the same order that they are presented in your assignment.
Please label your CD with your name, soundtrack name, title/author and track listings.
Option #3: Outside Reading Symbolic Representation: Book in a Container
Choose any type of container for your book report. You may choose whatever suits your needs or the theme
of the book (paper bag, manila envelope, cereal box, whatever!) Be creative! Decorate the container with
details about the book, your own artwork, quotations, a collage, etc. We should know much about the book
by examining the outside container. Be sure your name and the title of the book are labeled clearly. Affix
an explanation of how the outside represents the book, minimum 100 words.
Inside the container you will include the following elements:
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Five items that depict the story or characters in some way. These can be actual items or
drawing/photos. Items should be school appropriate and should not be valuable! Attach a notecard
explaining the significance/meaning of each item.
Oversized “postcard” from the main character. The picture on the postcard should represent the
setting of the novel. The written side should be at least 300 words long and focus on the central
conflict of the story.
Vocabulary list. Pick eight words from your book that you do not know. Provide the definitions,
and then write a story a (very) short story that uses all eight words correctly. The story does not
need to be related to your story and can be humorous.
Review of the book. Presentation format is up to you. You should include in detail what was
successful and unsuccessful about your book, and whether or not you would recommend it.
Minimum of 300 words long.
All work is typed, though you may be creative with the format and font. Unleash your artistic side!
Option #4: Outside Reading Presentation: PowerPoint
In a short PowerPoint presentation of 4-6 minutes (8-12) slides, you will attempt to create interest and
intrigue about your fictional novel. In doing so, you must cover the following information about your
novel. You may do so any way you wish, using any means of creativity you feel would work for your
particular book (i.e. photographs, interactive activity, animation etc.). The key is to keep the audience’s
attention, inform them and make them want to read the novel without giving away the entire plot.
Suspense can be very powerful. Utilize the technology to be unique and creative. Going over the allotted
time too much (approx. 1 min.) or failing to touch upon the points mentioned below will adversely affect
your grade. A hard copy of your presentation is to be turned in as well. All words should be at least 24 font.
Necessary information (elements of fiction):
 Characters (the main ones who propel the story forward)
 Setting (the main time and place of the story)
 Mood (the dominant atmosphere of the novel)
 Conflict (one or two, internal or external, that are used)
 Theme (what universal lesson or main idea the author is presenting about life)
These do not have to be presented in this order, and in order to avoid boring your audience, you should not
simply list the elements as you address them. Be theatrical! For example, if the author is known for a
particular thing or the book has a specific theme that is visual or symbolic, you can incorporate it into your
PowerPoint. Be creative and engaging!
Finally, when speaking to us, make sure you remember the following:
 Make sure the pacing and content of your presentation is appropriate and in an instructional format
 Speak loudly and clearly enough for all to hear
 Vary your tone of voice appropriately to display emotion and enthusiasm
 Physical movement, even if it’s only hand gestures, can be effective in emphasizing certain points
and keeping audience’s attention
 You must have the book with you, show it to us at some point, and say the title and author’s name.
4th Quarter ORB Assignment
For this quarter’s outside reading assignment, you may choose between four options. You
may also do a project of your choice, but in order to do so, you must first get teacher
approval. Regardless of the option you choose, each one requires a written component
and a creative component of some kind. It will be worth 100 points and be graded by a
rubric that follows the specific requirements and components of each assignment option.
ALL WRITTEN WORK MUST BE YOUR OWN!!!
Due Date: June 8, 2009