2014-2015 Summer Independent Reading Project
For 11th Grade: American Literature
Name __________________________________________________ Date_____________ Pd___
Due Date: This project will be turned into your English 11 teacher on September 23rd, 2015.
Book Title _____________________________________________
Author________________________________________________
Read one of the following American novels:
Black Boy, by Richard Wright
The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison (or any book by this author)
Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger
Cat’s Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut (or any book by this author)
The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
The Help, by Kathryn Stockett
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou (or any book by this author)
You will be responsible for completing journal entries that are ONE PAGE in length and include at
least TWO QUOTES based on the various prompts. If quotes are not used in an entry, 50% of points
will be deducted since that is the only way we know you read the book. This will be your only
packet and all grades will be recorded on this sheet.
DO NOT LOSE THIS PACKET.
Note: Divide the book into 4 section and complete each journal entry as you read (For example, if
your book is 100 pages, complete a journal entry every 25 pages or if your book is 10 chapters,
complete a journal entry every 2 chapters.)
Grades:
Journal #1
Journal #2
Journal #3
Journal #4
Total
_____/25
_____/25
_____/25
_____/25
_____/100
Glossary of Terms
JOURNAL 1: Characterization- when you
characterize someone, you are evaluating their
characteristics in order to determine what kind of
person they are. There are two types of
characterization-indirect and direct.
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Direct- The text reveals the
character traits of the character.
There is no need to interpret because
the book already does it for you.
Example: “The girl was always very
shy around other children.” This
quote already lets you know that
shyness is a character trait of the
girl.
Indirect- You as a reader need to
come up with the character traits for
the character based on their Speech,
Thoughts, Effect on Others, Actions,
and Looks (STEAL).
Example: “Whenever the girl was
around other children, she always
ran away or hid behind her mother’s
back”. The reader is able to observe
the characters actions in order to
determine that she is shy and
possibly scared of other children.
JOURNAL 2: Tone- this is the author’s attitude
towards what he or she is writing.
Example: “The girl rudely interrupted her
parents while they were speaking about
something important.” Readers can tell that
the author does not feel positively about
what the girl did because of the use of
“rudely” to describe the interruption. The
author also points out that the conversation
was important so the girl should not have
interrupted. Tone words that we can use for
this situation could be “offended,
disapproving, or critical”
JOURNAL 3: Conflict- conflict is what drives a
story. Conflict happens when there is contention
between two or more things.
Examples:
Man vs Nature: a person trying to survive a
storm
Man vs Man: an argument between two or
more people
Man vs Society: a group of people
protesting a federal law banning marijuana
Man vs Self: a person struggling with an
important decision
Journal Entry #1 Pgs./ chapters _____-_____
Authors describe their characters in various ways. There are two main forms of characterization: Direct and Indirect. Write a journal
entry that fills up the entire page in paragraph (not list) format answering the following questions about characterization in your book:
(be sure to include at least two (2) quotations with page numbers from your reading):
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Does the author use more direct or indirect characterization?
Give an example of each and tell why it is direct or indirect.
(Does it show physical appearance, actions, dialogue or thoughts?)
Are there any characters that are more developed than others?
Why do you think that is?
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Rubric for Journal #1 score: ______ / 25
_____/3

Student answered,
“Does the author use more
direct or indirect characterization?”
Student used a quote showing direct characterization. _____/6
Student explained why quote was direct characterization.

Student answered,
Are there any characters that
are more developed than others?”
Student used a quote showing indirect characterization. ____/6
Student explained why quote was indirect characterization.

Student answered,
“Why do you think this is?”
Student filled entire page using
paragraphs (not listing)
_____/4
_____/4
_____/2
Journal Entry #2
Pgs./ chapters _____-_____
Tone is the overall mood of a piece of writing. Pick a passage that you think has a strong tone and write a journal entry that fills up the
entire page in paragraph (not list) format answering the following questions about the tone of this passage:
(be sure to include at least two (2) quotations with page numbers from your reading):
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What is happening in the story during this passage?
What is the tone in this passage?
What key words/phrases (use quotes) show this tone? How?
What images do these words/phrases bring to mind?
Why do you think this tone is being used here?
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Student filled entire page
using paragraphs (not listing)
Student answered, “What is
happening in the story during this passage?”
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Student answered,
“What is the tone of this passage?
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Student used at least 2 quotations that
Rubric for Journal #2 score: ______ / 25
included key words/phrases from their chosen
_____/2
passage and explained how they expressed tone.
_____/3
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Student answered,
_____/5
“What images do these
words/phrases bring to mind?”
_____/4

_____/6
Student answered,
“Why do you think this tone is being used here?
_____/5
Journal Entry #3
Pgs./ chapters _____-_____
Conflict is a big part of writing—it keeps people reading! Pick out examples of conflict in your novel and write a journal entry that fills
up the entire page in paragraph (not list) format answering the following questions about conflict:
(be sure to include at least two (2) quotations with page numbers from your reading):
Find two examples of conflict in your novel and tell me:

What is the conflict?
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Is it man vs. man, man vs. nature, or man vs. himself?
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How was this conflict settled, or how do you think it will be settled?
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Why do you think the author included this conflict? What does it add to the story?
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Rubric for Journal #3 score: ______ / 25
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Student filled entire page
using paragraphs (not listing)
_____/3
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Student answered,
_____/4
“Is it man vs. man, man vs. nature, or man vs. himself?”
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Student used at least 2
quotations from the text.
_____/4
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Student answered,
_____/4
“How was this conflict settled, or how do you think it will be settled?”
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Student chose two conflicts.
_____/2
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Student answered,
_____/4
“Why do you think the author
included this conflict? What does it add to the story?”
Student answered, “What is the conflict?”_____/4
Journal Entry #4
Pgs./ chapters _____-_____
You have now finished your book. Did you make a good choice? Write a journal entry that fills up the entire page in paragraph (not
list) format answering the following questions about your overall impression of the book:
(be sure to include at least two (2) quotations with page numbers from your reading):
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Did you like the book? Why or why not?
Who was your favorite character? Why?
What was your favorite moment?
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Did it end the way you expected it to?
What would you change about your book? Why?
Would you recommend this book to your peers?
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Rubric for Journal #4 score: ______ / 25
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Student filled entire page
_____/3
using paragraphs (not listing)
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Student answered,
_____/3
“What was your favorite moment?”
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Student used at least 2
quotations from the text.
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Student answered,
_____/3
“Did it end the way you expected it to?”
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Student answered,
_____/3
“Did you like your book? Why or why not?”
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Student answered,
_____/3
“What would you change about your book? Why?”
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Student answered,
_____/3
“Who was your favorite character? Why?”
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Student answered,
_____/3
“Would you recommend this book to your peers?
_____/4