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Summer Reading

ELA Summer 2008 Essay Assignment for Grades 9-12

Instructions

You will be expected to read at least two books during the summer and write essays in response to your reading. Your essays are due no later than August 28 (the third day of school) and will be the first grade given in the new school year. In addition, you may be tested on the content of the required novel during the first week of school.

1. Read the required novel for your grade.
2. Choose one additional book from the list (honors students choose two).
3. For each book you read, answer one of the writing prompts in a well-developed essay. Final drafts should be written neatly in pen or typed (typed is required for Honors students and preferred for all students). Turn in all planning and drafts with your final copy.

Writing Instructions

For each of the novels that you read from the summer reading list, choose one of the following questions to answer in a well-developed essay. Your answer should be thoughtful, complete and well organized. It is very important that you provide enough information for your instructor to be sure that you have read the novel in its entirety, but do not just summarize. Please use the attached Chelsea High School Writing Rubric as a guideline in completing your work.

#1 Determine the Lesson or Moral
What do you believe is the key lesson or moral that a reader can learn from this novel? Do you believe that the author intended to communicate this specific lesson? Which aspects of the novel lead you to believe as you do?

#2 Describe a Character
Choose one character from the novel and write a detailed description of him or her. Include as many aspects of him or her as possible, such as physical appearance, personality type, morals and values. Explain whether the character is dynamic (changes throughout the story) or static (does not change).

#3 Evaluate the Conclusion
How satisfying was the conclusion of the novel? For example, was the ending believable, predictable, outrageous, boring? Were you left hanging with unanswered questions? Do you think there is another ending that would have been more fitting, appropriate, or satisfying?

Grading Rubric

• 4 Advanced: Response demonstrates a thorough understanding of the concept and provides a clear and well-organized explanation. Textual evidence and examples are cited to support the thesis. Response is virtually free of errors in grammar and mechanics.
• 3 Proficient: Response demonstrates an adequate understanding of the concept and provides a correct explanation. Textual evidence or examples may be cited to support the thesis. Response is free of numerous or serious errors in grammar and mechanics.
• 2 Needs Improvement: Response shows a limited understanding of the concept and provides a general or superficial explanation. Errors in grammar and mechanics may detract from the readability of the response.
• 1 Failing: Response shows little or no understanding of the concept and provides a vague or unclear explanation. Numerous or serious errors in grammar and mechanics may detract from the readability of the response.
• 0 No Score: Response is incorrect, incomplete, or irrelevant.

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