American Literature
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Essay or video project
Due date: Thursday, May 27
Points: 100
This is the culminating assignment for our study of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. You
have the option of either writing an essay of 1.5-2 pages using one of the provided topic
options (or one of your own with approval) or creating a 3-5 minute video of one of Huckleberry’s adventures you find
especially amusing or important.
Essay
Be sure to explore the subject matter in depth. You must have an introduction, three body paragraphs of supporting
statements, and a conclusion. In your essay, be sure to provide support using specific examples from the novel,
including direct quotes. The last sentence in your introduction paragraph should be a thesis statement in which you
explain your position on the topic and provide a preview of your three main points.
Example thesis statement: Throughout The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck learns to avoid religion
because many characters have different and conflicting interpretations of providence, those subscribing to strict
religious beliefs are easily duped, and many of the most religious characters served as model hypocrites.
(X is the case because A, B, and C.)
Formatting
1.5-2 pages
Double spaced, size 12 times new roman, Arial, or Calibri font (no extra spacing between paragraphs)
1” margins
Following header (double spaced in top right corner)
Your Name
American Literature
Date due
Options
1. Explain how Huck Finn changes in the novel.
2. Show how Huck’s relationship with Jim changes throughout the novel.
3. Compare and Contrast Tom’s and Huck’s characters.
4. Analyze Huck Finn as a coming of age novel.
5. What picture of society is given in the novel? Give specific examples of how Twain criticizes society.
6. Huck Finn deals with the issue of slavery. What was Twain’s opinion of it, as viewed through the novel?
7. Explain the purpose of the river in Huck Finn, justifying Huck and Jim’s preference for the raft as evident in the
statement “We said there warn't no home like a raft, after all.”
8. Decide which episode in the novel has the greatest impact on Huck’s development. Justify your choice.
9. What does Twain seem to say about violence and greed, which are motivations of much of the action in this
book? Discuss, giving at least three examples of each.
10. What does the novel seem to say about religion? Explain your point of view.
11. In his introductory "notice" to the novel, Twain denies there is a moral or motive in the story. Do you feel the
novel itself contradicts its author? Explain.
12. Discuss the novel as an important record of American culture.
Assessment:
Ideas (50 points)
Solid ideas with strong supporting evidence from the literature
Connections made beyond the confines of classroom discussions
Strong thesis statement
Organization (20 points)
Unified paragraphs
Logical flow
Presence of Introduction, three supporting paragraphs, and conclusion paragraph
Introduction funnels down to a thesis statement explaining the writer’s position on the topic and introducing the
writer’s three main points to be covered in the body paragraphs
Sentence fluency/style (15 points)
Variation in sentence beginnings
Variation in sentence structures/length
Conventions – grammar, usage, punctuation (15 points)
Proper heading and document formatting
Correct grammar, punctuation, usage – it should be evident that this is a polished piece of writing
Video
Script and record a 3-5 minute video of a scene you find especially amusing or important. You can work individually or
with as a small group of 2-3 people (all members of the group will receive the same grade). You (and your group
members) may act in the video or you may try a different approach – sock puppets, drawings, flash animation, etc. Be
creative and have fun! Either before or after showing your video to the class, spend 2-3 minutes explaining why the
scene is amusing/significant.
Assessment
Accuracy (25 points) – video accurately depicts an adventure using dialog from the novel when appropriate
Production (25 points) – clear picture, clear audio, appropriate organization, effective editing, evidence of being clearly
thought out
Creativity (25 points) – engaging presentation (props, costumes, etc.), effective approach (convincing acting, clever
puppets, artwork, etc.)
Verbal explanation to class (25 points)– thorough explanation of why the individual/group chose the adventure,
justification of the adventure’s significance in the novel