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Utilize the following notes, graphic organizers and assignment directions to complete your Summer Reading Essay. Furthermore, the provided information will assist in your understanding of Literary Criticism, which will aid in your development of a Power Point Presentation based upon class notes and your Summer Reading.

Summer Reading Project Overview

Step #1: Think about the novel you read this summer. Review the information you completed in your Summer Reading Graphic Organizer to prepare for the construction of a literary criticism.

Step #2: Develop an understanding of literary theory and criticism. Basically, literary criticism is the evaluative or interpretive work written with academic and/or professional intent. It is "criticism" not because it is negative or corrective, but rather because those who write criticism ask hard, analytical, crucial, or "critical" questions about the works they read. It analyzes a text to answer a focused critical question. (View Literary Criticism Reference Guide for detailed notes.)

Step #3: Connect your understanding of the novel you read with your knowledge of literary criticism to complete an organized, developed and focused Ethical or Civic Criticism - MLA formatted 2-3 page essay. (View the attached notes, activities and graphic organizers to assist in your paper’s composition. NOTE: preparation for essay construction will be homework; however, the construction of your essay will be timed and completed in-class.)

Step #4: Extend your understanding and make an authentic connection by completing a Power Point Presentation that compares and contrasts your novel with another text, television show or film through the use of Ethical or Civic Criticism. (View the attached notes, activities and graphic organizers to assist in your Power Point construction.)

Step #5: Present your constructed Power Point Presentation to the class utilizing effective verbal delivery skills. (View the attached rubric to assist in the delivery of your presentation.)

Summer Reading Project Due Dates

Summer Reading Essay Prewriting Graphic Organizer: ____________________________

Summer Reading Essay Construction Dates: ____________________________________

Summer Reading Essay Final Due Date: _______________________________________

Summer Reading PowerPoint Rough Draft Check: ________________________________

Summer Reading PowerPoint Final Draft (handout format): _________________________

Summer Reading PowerPoint Class Presentation: ________________________________

Turnitin.com Submissions: ___________________________________________________

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What is Ethical Criticism?Activating Prior KnowledgeHow do you determine if an individual is ‘good’ (ethical / moral) or ‘bad’ (unethical / amoral)? Make a list of 3 factors you use to determine a person’s moral standing.

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Understanding Ethical Criticism AKA – Moralist Perspective

• In an Ethical Criticism, the goal is to evaluate character motives, actions and relationships for moral lessons. (What character is responsible? How are characters flawed? What motivates the characters? What lessons can the reader learn from the characters’ actions?)

REMEMBER: • Literary Criticism is an academic evaluation of a story. It asks a central (critical) question

that must be answered through focused analysis and supported with BOTH summarized and CITED proof (quotes – at least one for each main idea listed in the thesis)

OTHER TYPES OF CRITICISM:• In Feminist Criticism, the goal is to evaluate the portrayal of gender roles. (How do characters

follow or rebel against the gender roles imposed by society in Pride & Prejudice?)

• In Cultural Criticism, the goal is to evaluate the influence of a time period or a genre on a text. (What examples of Gothicism are in Frankenstein? or How did WWII influence Lord of the Flies?

When analyzing literature from a moralist (ethical) perspective the reader should ask…• What are each character’s responsibilities? How does each character fulfill or ignore their

responsibilities?• How do the characters interact with one another? What do such interactions reveal concerning

each character’s motives and values?• Who or what is most responsible for conflict(s) and/or resolution(s)?• How could unpleasant events have been avoided?• What character(s) is best described as evil, unlawful or unjust? Provide an example to defend.• What character(s) is best described as good, innocent or justified? Provide an example to defend.• Ultimately, what is the moral lesson(s) the reader (or viewer) can learn from each character?

ETHICAL CRITICISM PRACTICE(1) View the clip and analyze the characters’ actions through the moralist perspective. (2) After viewing complete the following questions with your literature partner. (3) Record your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. How does Peter Parker (Spiderman) interact with his Uncle Ben? What does this reveal concerning each character’s values?

2.) Who or what is most responsible for Uncle Ben’s death? Why? (Provide an example to defend.)

3.) What character is best described as evil, unlawful or unjust? (Provide an example to defend.)

4.) Ultimately, what is the moral lesson(s) the reader (or viewer) can learn from this story?

5.) How does the above lesson apply to your life and/or our modern American society?

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What is Civic Criticism? Basics: Evaluates literature for moral values that have significance for individuals as members of communities. Also known as Public Ethical Criticism Based in Greek view of literature as a ‘teaching force’ for society Greek literary heroes encompassed the values and morals all members of society

should strive to achieve and display. Such values include: bravery, honor, courage and obligation in connection to

everything one cherishes – including one’s country.

What must the reader examine when completing a Civic Criticism?1.) What are some of your early impressions of the story? What is the most striking feature of the story, something that promotes an instant reaction in you?

2.) What is the author’s tone and the novel’s mood?

3.) What role does the setting play in the depiction of the society / government in question?

4.) How are characters treated by the government?

5.) What societal norms are evident and why are they followed?

6.) How do individual character’s desires and/or morals interfere with the demands of their government and/or society?

7.) How does the government / society maintain power? Could this power be disrupted? How?

How do I develop a Civic Approach to literature?Directions: Review the previous notes and use the suggestions below to help create a focus for your civic criticism.1. Focus on the main characters: What is it about their situations that strike you as most important? The government’s treatment of them may appear to be grossly exaggerated, but how true does it ring in principle?

2. What is the narrator’s reaction to their government and/or community? What is your reaction to the narrator’s experience?

3. What effects do the grotesquely comic depictions of the characters and their plights have on you?

4. Why does the protagonist appear to possess anger against / for his government / society?

5. List points of civic abuse. Does the story suggest moral imperatives, specific or otherwise?

6. What might the text’s citizens do to counteract governmental abuse?

7. Are you satisfied with the ending? Why or why not?

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How do I write a Literary Criticism of my Summer Reading?

Step #1: Choose one of the following promptsSummer Reading Ethical Criticism Prompts (Evaluate Man vs. Man Conflict(s))Prompt #1: What character is most responsible for conflicts, crimes, and/or tragedy apparent in the text through their unethical views, impulses and/or actions? (Basically, who is the ‘bad’ guy or ‘evil’ force and why?)

Prompt #2: What character adheres to ethical behavior? What is the impact of their exemplary moral views, decisions and standing? (Basically, who is the ‘good’ guy or ‘positive’ force and why?)

Prompt #3: What moral lesson can be derived by the reader through the portrayal of ethical and unethical behavior, impulses and events in the text? (Basically, how does the author believe we should act and why?)

Prompt #4: How does the portrayal of moral behaviors and lesson(s) apply to your life and/or modern religious beliefs? (Basically, what can we learn concerning ethics from this text and how?)

Summer Reading Civic Criticism Prompts (Evaluate Man vs. Society Conflict(s))Prompt #1: How do a character’s desires and/or morals interfere or adhere to the demands of their government and/or society? Through the depiction of the character’s values, what moral code does the text reveal concerning the character’s society? (Basically, what values are portrayed as positive and why does the author emphasize their importance.)

Prompt #2: List points of civic abuse. Does the story suggest moral imperatives, specific or otherwise? Why is this an important lesson for the author’s society, as well as, the 21st century? (Basically, what societal lesson and/or warning is issued through the author’s depiction of morals?)

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Step #1: Choose one of the following prompts.

Step #2: Understand the goal and format of your essay.

Step #3: Complete the Literary Criticism Essay Graphic Prewriting Organizer

Step #4: Complete an In-Class Timed Essay (Use Prewriting Graphic Organizer)

Step #5: Compare and contrast your text to another text through the completion of an independent Ethical or Civic Criticism

Step #6: Complete Independent Ethical or Civic Criticism Evaluative Power Point

Step #7: Present your findings and Power Point to the class.

Step #2: Understand the goal and format of your essay. (5 paragraph; Critical Response; MLA)Directions: View the essay outline below to gain an understanding of your assignment’s format.Paragraph One: IntroductionAGD: 1-2 interesting sentences that introduce your essay’s theme and/or tone (cited quote, relevant definition, vivid description, posed scenario, interesting fact, etc…)Introductory Transition Sentences: 3-5 summative sentences that clearly explain your AGD’s connection to your topic and provide needed background information of the author or text’s plot to create a clear context for the essays focused thesis. (analysis of AGD, explanation of author’s tone/purpose, relevant/focused summary of the text’s plot)3-Tier Thesis: 1 focused declarative sentence that clearly answers the assigned prompt and provides three focused main points that will be developed in the essay’s body to prove the conveyed answer.

Paragraph Two: Explanation of First Main PointConnective Transition: 1-2 sentences that use effective transitions to connect the newly forming paragraph to the previous paragraph, as well as, reveal the main point that will be discussed in the developing paragraph.

Development of Main Point: 5-7 sentences that clearly explain the main point’s relevance to the essay’s thesis by providing multiple (3-5) specific textual examples that are both summarized AND analyzed. YOUR PARAGRAPH MUST CONTAIN A CITED QUOTE THAT IS FRAMED (INTRODUCED, CITED, AND ANALYZED) AS AN EXAMPLE OF SUPPORTING TEXTUAL EVIDENCE. Paragraph Three: Explanation of Second Main PointConnective Transition: 1-2 sentences (view directions listed for First Main Point)Development of Main Point: 5-7 sentences (view directions listed for First Main Point)

Paragraph Four: Explanation of Third Main PointConnective Transition: 1-2 sentences (view directions listed for First Main Point)Development of Main Point: 5-7 sentences (view directions listed for First Main Point)

Paragraph Five: ConclusionSummative Transition: 1 sentence that uses an effective summative transitions (Ultimately, Overall, Therefore, Consequently, Subsequently, etc…) to connect the newly forming paragraph to the previous paragraph, as well as, signal the conclusion of the essay.

Rephrased Thesis: 1-3 summative sentences that reiterate and/or summarize your essay’s main points.

Clincher: 1-2 interesting and memorable sentences that connect to your AGD and leave your reading thinking about the topic you evaluated. (The perfect essay is like a circle. Your final statement should relate to your opening statement.)

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Step #3: Complete the Literary Criticism Essay Graphic Organizer

Literary Criticism Essay Graphic Organizer Prewriting ActivityDirections: Use your notes and text to complete all required components.

Introduction: AGDIn the box provide below, record an AGD for your essay.

Introduction: Transition SentencesIn the box below, outline the information you will use to explain your AGD and connect it to your topic and your thesis.

Introduction: 3-Tier Thesis StatementIn the box below, write a specific declarative sentence that clearly answers your chosen prompt and previews three main points in the order they will be developed in the essay.

Body: First Main Point

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(1) Review your text and collected notes to create a focused thesis for your prompt.(2) Organize the information you collected over the summer in the provided graphic organizer.(3) Be certain to list, explain and CITE a quote for EACH MAIN POINT = 3 TOTAL(4) Be sure to list relevant and multiple supporting examples for each main point(5) Be certain to complete ALL portions of the provided organizer(6) If necessary, conduct additional research to develop an interesting AGD and Clincher(7) Ensure all listed notes are original and avoid plagiarism(8) Complete the graphic organizer for homework(9) Be prepared to use your graphic organizer to assist in the development of your TIMED, IN-CLASS ESSAY CONSTRUCTION.

In the spaces provided below, list your main point, outline textual examples you will summarize as supporting evidence, list and CITE a direct textual quote you will use as supporting evidence and provide an analysis of the quote’s relevance to your listed main point.

Textual Supporting Examples (events, conflicts, setting, characterization, character motives, character actions, symbols, imagery, irony, diction, etc…) LIST AT LEAST 3

CITED Supporting Quote (write the quote AND CITE THE PAGE NUMBER upon which the quote occurs.)

Analysis of Supporting Quote (summarize the relevance of the above quote – How does it support your main point and prove your thesis?)

Body: Second Main PointIn the spaces provided below, list your main point, outline textual examples you will summarize as supporting evidence, list and CITE a direct textual quote you will use as supporting evidence and provide an analysis of the quote’s relevance to your listed main point.

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Textual Supporting Examples (events, conflicts, setting, characterization, character motives, character actions, symbols, imagery, irony, diction, etc…) LIST AT LEAST 3

CITED Supporting Quote (write the quote AND CITE THE PAGE NUMBER upon which the quote occurs.)

Analysis of Supporting Quote (summarize the relevance of the above quote – How does it support your main point and prove your thesis?)

Body: Third Main PointIn the spaces provided below, list your main point, outline textual examples you will summarize as supporting evidence, list and CITE a direct textual quote you will use as supporting evidence and provide an analysis of the quote’s relevance to your listed main point.

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Textual Supporting Examples (events, conflicts, setting, characterization, character motives, character actions, symbols, imagery, irony, diction, etc…) LIST AT LEAST 3

CITED Supporting Quote (write the quote AND CITE THE PAGE NUMBER upon which the quote occurs.)

Analysis of Supporting Quote (summarize the relevance of the above quote – How does it support your main point and prove your thesis?)

Conclusion: Summative TransitionIn the box provide below, record the summative transition word that will signal your essay’s close.

Conclusion: Rephrased ThesisIn the box below, outline the information you will use to review your main ideas.

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Conclusion: 3- ClincherIn the box below, record a clincher for your essay.

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Step #4: Complete In-Class Timed Essay (Use Prewriting Graphic Organizer)

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TASKOn the assigned date, be prepared to use your Prewriting Graphic Organizer to complete a timed writing activity.

REQUIREMENTSYou will have two class periods to construct your essay response.

Your essay must adhere to the provided example essay format. (View Step #2)

Your essay must adhere to MLA format.

Your essay must utilize academic vocabulary and maintain a critical focus to accurately complete an ethical or civic criticism of your chosen Summer Reading novel.

Your essay must be original in content (NO PLAGIARISM) – all essays will be submitted to Turnitin.com

Your essay must utilize proper grammar, mechanics, spelling, tense, style, etc…

Your essay must contain multiple summative textual examples that are clearly explained in connection to your identified thesis statement.

Your essay must contain ACCURATELY CITED QUOTES (MLA INTERNAL CITATION FORMAT) MUST BE USED. Example: “Quote” (Author’s Last Name Page #).

Each main point (body paragraph) must contain one relevant, framed and cited quote.

ESSAY GRADING 10 POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR EVERY MISSING QUOTE 5 POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR EACH OCCURANCE OF INACCURATE CITATION AND/OR MLA

FORMATTING ERRORS ½ - 1 POINT DEDUCTIONS WILL BE TAKEN FOR EACH MECHANICAL, GRAMMATICAL, SPELLING,

VOCABULARY, SENTENCE STRUCTURE, ETC… ERROR 5-15 POINT DEDUCTIONS WILL BE TAKEN FOR EACH UNDERDEVELOPED OR UNFOCUSED

PARAGRAPH 2-5 POINT DEDUCTIONS WILL BE TAKEN FOR MISSING CONNECTIVE TRANSITIONS 5-15 POINT DEDUCTIONS WILL BE TAKEN FOR INACCURATE INFORMATION OR ANALYSIS 1-5+ POINT DEDUCTONS WILL BE TAKEN FOR UNFRAMED OR IRRELEVANT USE OF QUOTES

NOTE: THE ABOVE LIST SERVES AS A GUIDLINE FOR GRADING. EGREGIOUS ERRORS, INACCURATE INFORMATION OR UNORGANIZED CONTENT MAY RESULT IN MORE SEVERE DEDUCTIONS.

Step #5 and #6: Compare and contrast your text to another text through the completion an independent Ethical or Civic Criticism evaluative Power Point

PROJECT CONSTRUCTION DIRECTIONS

Directions: Choose a story (book, television show, movie, etc…) that you will compare and contrast with your Summer Reading novel utilizing the moralist (ethical) or civic perspective. Then, complete the following analytical tasks and organize your findings into a 6+ slide Power Point Presentation.

(Slide 1) Research the writer(s) of your selected story and explain their purpose / tone.

(Slide 2) Write a summary of your chosen story that is focused and clearly conveys the story’s mood, setting, characterization and plot in connection to ethics and/or moral lessons.

(Slide 3) Evaluate your chosen story through Ethical or Civic Criticism. Outline and explain at least three examples of moral and/or amoral behavior evidenced through your story’s setting, plot, conflicts, resolutions, themes, and/or characterization.

(Slide 4) Evaluate your chosen story through Ethical or Civic Criticism. Outline and explain at least two examples of suggested moral lessons for the reader and/or society evidenced through your story’s setting, plot, themes, and/or characterization.

(Slide 5) Compare and contrast your chosen story to your Summer Reading novel and identify and clearly defend at least six points of argument (3 similarities and 3 differences) concerning each story’s portrayal of ethics and/or morals.

(Slide 6) Consider your investigation of each story through the moralist perspective. Decide which story you feel represents ethics ‘better’ and/or more clearly. Base your judgment upon the clarity of morals, the importance of the intended moral lesson(s), and the application of the represented moral values in your life and/or society.

Note: You will develop each of the above tasks into a Power Point slide. View the presentation rubric to assist in your slide construction. A printed copy of your Power Point (in handout format – 6 slides per

page) will be due prior to verbal delivery. All Power Points will be submitted to Turnitin.com (avoid plagiarism)

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Step #7: Present your findings and Power Point to the class.

Rubric for Culminating Activity

Superego (3) Ego (2) Id (1)Author Slide Thorough scope of

life Relevant and

significant details with connections to author’s intended use of ethics.

Adequate view of author’s life

Several relevant and significant details with connections to author’s use of ethics.

Basic or incomplete scope of life

Little or incomplete relevance and significance to author’s use of ethics.

Summary Slide Thorough, original and insightful overview of setting, characterization conflicts and resolutions.

Adequate overview of setting, characterization conflicts and resolutions.

Little or incomplete overview of setting, characterization conflicts and resolutions.

Lacks originality; obvious plagiarism

Ethical or Civic Criticism: Analysis of Moral and/or Amoral Behavior Slide

At least 3 examples of moral and/or amoral behavior are identified, explained and supported with multiple examples of textual connections.

2 - 3 examples of moral and/or amoral behavior are identified, explained and supported with few examples of textual connections.

2 or less examples of moral and/or amoral behavior are identified, explained and supported with little or no examples of textual connections.

Ethical or Civic Criticism: Analysis of Moral Lessons Slide

2 or more themes / morals are clearly and effectively developed, explained and supported with multiple examples of textual connections.

1 - 2 themes / morals are sufficiently identified and discussed and supported with few examples of textual connections.

At least one theme or moral is identified but not discussed.

Compare and Contrast Slide

6 or more points of argument are clearly defended (3 similarities; 3 differences)

4 - 5 points of argument are adequately supported (2 similarities; 2 differences)

4 or less points are identified and explained with little or no support

Evaluation Slide Thorough, original and insightful judgment based upon all previous slides

Adequate to marginal reflection of several slides to support judgments

Below basic or incomplete evidence of evaluation with little or no relevance to previous slides

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