Novels & short stories - read, write, discuss

This course consists of three different parts: reading, writing and discussing. All parts will be based on a novel/short story you are going to read.

Purpose/goals:
You will get the opportunities to develop your ability to:
* understand and interpret the content of spoken English and in different types of texts,
* express yourself and communicate in speech and writing,
* use language strategies to understand and make yourselves understood,
* adapt language for different purposes, recipients and contexts, and
* reflect over living conditions, social and cultural phenomena in different contexts and parts of the world where English is used. 

Getting Started 

Examination:

 

A. novels/short story review, to be handed in

 

B. Oral presentation, interaction in groups

 

Instructions:

Vedran Maras, Anne-Lie Briby

English, year 9

Book reading

                                 Reading, writing and discussing a novel

Deadline:

Week 41

Purpose:

To practice reading, analysing, reflecting and supporting thoughts with quotes.

Instruction:

1. Choose a novel to read. You can find texts and audio books on http://esl-bits.net/. If you have a hard time choosing, your teacher can help you.

2. Use lesson time for reading novels and doing book exercises (see below).
   
   

3. At the end, write a book review, and present your book to your study Group (your presentation should be recorded and uploaded on Classroom).

How to work with your chosen book:

1. Read every day/lesson for at least for 30 minutes.

2. Now and then, read out loud to yourself (not necessary, but good) so that you practice pronunciation and the flow of the language. You can also read out loud to your friends.

3. Individual logbook writing (after 20 % of the novel, after 40 % of the novel, after 60 % of your novel and after 100 % of the novel). In your logbook, which is on Classroom, write:

• A brief summary of the story so far (80-150 words).

• Your chosen quote (state the page number), then develop and discuss the quote from two perspectives:

1. Why did you choose this quote? How important is it to the book?

2. How you can link to it personally.

3. Which new words have I encountered? Make a list of some new words for every logbook entry.

How to write a book review:

A review is both a description and an evaluation of a story. After you’ve finished reading your chosen novella/short story, you are supposed to write a text (400-600 words) about the novella/short story that you’ve read.

Use these headlines in your text:

• Short summary of your story. What is the story about?

• Where does the story take place? Try to describe the surroundings.

• Who are/is the main character? How can you describe him/her/them?

• What is your opinion on the story? Did you like it? Why/why not? Try to be thorough here and explain your thoughts.

• Conclude by pulling your thoughts together. Say what impression the story left you with, or emphasize what you want your reader to know about it.

How to present your book for your study group:

You are going to present your story to the members of your study group. As a listener your role is not only to listen but also to ask questions and add your own experiences to the conversation.

• Present your story out of the following aspects:

• Genre, author, characters, the story itself, analysis, evaluation, conclusion. Use your written review as support, but remember to talk, do not read!

• Involve your friends by asking them questions about your/their story.

• Compose a question based on themes in the story and discuss the question in the group.

As a listener, be active! Comment and ask questions like: Have you read any other stories written by the same author? Could you explain what you mean by….