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ENGLISH III PROJECTS: 
Multicultural Outside Reading Book and Related Research Paper

THE FIRST (and second) MARKING PERIOD PROJECT for English III  is currently underway. 
The first part of the project  involves reading an outside reading book that focuses on multiculturalism. The second part of the project involves 
researching the culture that is represented in the fictional book. The overall project  goal is to provide students with an opportunity to 
explore cultures other than their own. As advances take place in computer technology, transportation, and communications; 
our world grows smaller and our interactions with different cultures become more frequent. It is becoming increasingly important for us 
to understand and accept our international neighbors as well as the subcultures within the United States. 

The following assignments and due dates relate to the reading of the multicultural novel:

Assignment #1 (Due September 19th
Indicate the page you have read up to in your outside reading book and write a brief summary of the plot to that point. 
Obviously, this will also involve writing about the characters in the novel as well. 

Assignment #2 (Due September 30th
Write a brief explanation of the main conflict of your outside reading book, explaining how the main character is attempting to overcome this conflict.

Assignments #3 and #4 (Due October 14th
Write two essays chosen from the following list of three essays.

Essay Choice #1 
Pick a decision that one of the characters in the novel made, and persuade me in five paragraphs whether or not it was a wise decision. Start with a "should" statement such as "(Name of character) should or should not have _________________." Remember to use the correct format--introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion. Remember to use transition words were appropriate.

Essay Choice #2 
Write a five paragraph essay where in the second two paragraphs you explain in detail at least two things that you have learned about the culture depicted in your book (African  American, Japanese American, Jewish American, etc.). In the last two paragraphs, explain in detail at least two ways in which being part of that culture group impacted the main character's life. Remember to start with an introduction.

Essay Choice #3 
Write a five paragraph essay answering the following:

Paragraph 1: With what motivation does your main character act?
Paragraph 2: How does your main character change from the beginning of the book to the end of the book?
Paragraph 3: What causes this change?
Paragraph 4: Explain the ending of the book in detail.
Paragraph 5: Evaluate the book. What message was the author trying to get across (theme)? 
Was he/she effective in getting that message across? 
Give specific examples from the book to support your answer.

The following dates will be spent in the school library in preparation for writing a research paper.
Search for sources with information on cultures, literary critiques, author biographies, and/or historical events relating to the outside reading books.

  
October 12
    October 14
    October 28
    October 31
    November 2

BEFORE WRITING YOUR RESEARCH PAPER REVIEW NOTES

Last updated: 10/19/05

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