Mulgrave English Department: Summer Reading 2011

Grade 10

You are encouraged to read many books over the summer. However, you are required to read one. It is The Elegance of the Hedgehog(M. Barbery). There are multiple copies available in the Library, on a first-come, first-served basis. When you return in September, you will be required to present the task outlined below. You must be ready to present as soon as regular classes begin.

Task

You are to prepare an oral explication of one passagefrom your novel. Your passage should be no longer than 60 lines; 40 to 50 lines are preferable.

The format for your oral explication, which should last between four and seven minutes (not including the questions, should there be any), is as follows: 1. Open with your personal response to the novel. Try to make a connection between the novel and you as a thoughtful reader. 2. Comment on the connection between the title chosen and the text of the novel. Suggest another title which you think might be equally suitable for this novel. 3. Comment on the authors style. You should draw quotations (not from the passage you selected for your oral explication) from the text of the work. You could consider such literary features such as the point of view chosen, the importance of narration and dialogue, the types of sentences which the writer uses, the use of imagery and the use of repeated motifs. 4. Briefly present one or two themes which you think are evident in this novel. Prove each one by referencing events in the novel and/or comments made by the characters in the novel. This section is not tied to the passage you have selected. 5. Place the passage you have selected into the context of the novel. Where does it take place in the plot line? What lies ahead? Why is this passage central to a full understanding of the novel as a whole? What does it add to our appreciation of character(s), theme, plot and/or setting? This part should be relatively detailed as you are demonstrating that you understand the importance of the passage you have chosen. 6. Do your reading, concentrating on the elements of presentation (audibility, modulation, and eye contact). Work to engage your audience. 7. Once your reading is finished, you will be openfor questions from your teacher and/or classmates.

Summer Reading Rubric

Criterion A: Content (receptive and productive) 1-2 Very limited understanding of text, topic, or author s choices. Little or no detail, development, and/or support. In creative pieces, very limited imagination or sensitivity shown. Rarely uses literary features. Features do not serve content or intention. Use of terminology is missing, inconsistent, and/or incorrect. Rarely employs organizational structures or uses those that do not serve context and intention. Work is generally disorganized, unclear, and/or incoherent. Employs critical apparatus incorrectly or not at all. Very limited vocabulary range and sentence structure. Frequent grammar errors hinder communication. Little or no evidence of register and style. Frequent spelling and punctuation errors in written work. Little or no competence in oratory technique. 3-4 Limited understanding of text, topic, or author s choices. Detail, development, and/or support are insufficient. In creative pieces, limited sensitivity or imagination shown. Attempts to use literary and/or non-literary features which sometimes serve content and intention. Use of terminology is sometimes appropriate. Sometimes uses organizational structure and/or language specific conventions. Beginning of organizational structure evident. Lacks coherence. Critical apparatus employed with limited success.

Name:________________________
5-6 Sufficient understanding of text and some awareness of author s choices. Adequate detail, development and support. In creative pieces, some imagination and sensitivity are shown. Generally uses literary and/or nonliterary features that serve the context and intention. Terminology is usually accurate and appropriate. Usually uses organizational structure and language specific conventions. Generally organized, clear, and coherent. Generally employs critical apparatus correctly. 7-8 Good understanding of text, topic, and author s choices. Substantial detail, development, and support. In creative work, imagination and sensitivity are shown. Employs literary and/or non-literary features that serve the content and intention. Relevant terminology is used accurately and appropriately. 9-10 Perceptive understanding of the text, topic, and author s choices. Consistently uses illustrative detail, development and support. Creative pieces show a great deal of imagination and sensitivity. Literary and/or nonliterary features effectively serve content and intention. Sophisticated command of terminology. Consistently uses sophisticated organization, structure, and language-specific conventions. Consistently clear, and coherent. Sophisticated presentation of ideas. Integrates critical apparatus correctly and effectively. Wide and effective range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structure. Grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling are accurate. Very infrequent errors. Mastery of a register and style that serve content and purpose. A high level of competence in oratory technique.

Score:_______

Criterion B: Organization

Score:________

Consistently uses organizational structure and language specific conventions. Usually well organized, clear, and coherent and the ideas build on one another. Correct use of critical apparatus.

Criterion C: Style and Language Mechanics Score:_______

Limited vocabulary range and sentence structure. Frequent grammar errors hinder communication. Some evidence of register and style. Frequent spelling and punctuation errors in written work. Some competence in oratory technique.

Generally uses a range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structure. Occasional grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling errors. Often uses register and style that serve context and intention. Adequate competence in oratory technique.

Uses appropriate vocabulary and sentence structure. Grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling are accurate. Infrequent errors. Register and style serve content and intention. Good level of competence in oratory technique.

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