12 University English
Individual Chapter Seminar
Assignment:
What’s more fun than reading literature? Analyzing it with your classmates of course!
Each member of the class will lead TWO 30 minute literature circle discussions about a specific
set of chapters from his or her novel study text The Handmaid’s Tale.
Your goal will be to get the brains of your classmates activated and the discussion flowing. A
little heated debate is always welcome too. During your 30 minute session ensure that you
cover the following material:
1. Present a brief summary of the chapter(s). Point form is fine.
2. Consult an online source like Sparknotes. Find a point or perspective in the
analysis which you refute (disagree with) and/or explore an area of analysis not
covered in the “sparknotes.” (hint: this will come from a careful and close reading
of the text, its structure, and the intertextuality throughout).
3. You must ensure you provide quotations and examples to support your ideas –
ALWAYS!
4. Find 3 interesting chapter questions for your section of the novel on the Internet
(Google is your friend) and answer them. Be ready to share.
5. The above information should be presented attractively on a handout (either one
page or double-sided). Bring enough photocopies for everyone in your group plus
some extras (16 copies approx.).