Overview:

Students, in this assignment, you are completing a formal analysis on the novel you choose to read. In order to complete this task, you must read the book. If you plagiarize, you will be given a zero. No, you may not use a book you have already read. Your essay should be five paragraphs in length, and it should follow the outline exactly as it is organized. Remember that you are not just typing an essay you also have to publish your piece online with appropriate images and working links embedded.

Where to start:

For this book review (#4), you are permitted to read a book of your choosing as long as it does not have a major motion picture based on it. I do not want to read and score a film review.

While reading and taking “Book Notes,” impactful literary elements, rhetorical devices, and figurative language should become apparent. By “impactful,” I am referring to the elements, devices, & figurative language that are used purposefully and repeatedly throughout the text and reveal the unique, creative writing strengths of the author.

For example, if you read a book by Jack Kerouac, you are likely to notice a critical tone directed toward class inequality, complicated syntax due to a lack of punctuation, and a reoccuring motif of “the open road.” Kerouac may have a few examples of flashbacks, parallelism, and hyperbole throughout the novel, but if these concepts do not stand out and create effects, then you would not want to focus your essay around those topics.

Literary Elements

Rhetorical Devices

Figurative Language

Setting

Archetype

Repetition

Parallelism

Simile

Metaphor

Narration

Conflict

Juxtaposition

Rhetorical Question

Symbolism

Oxymoron

Flashback

Foreshadowing

Diction

Style

Irony

Motif

Plot

Imagery

Structure

Syntax

Allegory

Onomatopoeia

Mood

Tone

Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Alliteration

Hyperbole

Personification

Theme

Characterization

Assonance

Consonance

Allusion

Idiom

Recommendations for Success:

1) Write in present tense.

2) Limit your use of first-person I to enhance formality and write out words that you would normally make into contractions (don’t = do not; they’re = they are).

3) Use the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) to apply proper MLA format.

4) Have at least two people proofread your essay before submitting it.

5) Remember the dos & donts from the examples we discussed in class.

Detailed Instructions and Outline:

I. Introduction

A. Attention grabber Use a quote that doesnt reveal too much about the story but entices the audience to want to know more about the book. Or, write a question that relates to the focus of the novel or an issue in the story.

When using a quote, remember to use quotation marks and give credit to the author – Set up quotes likes this (Adkins 1).

B. Publication Provide information about the work, author, publication city, and publication year.

C. Thorough summary – In at least seven good sentences, introduce the audience to the main character(s) and overall storyline.

D. Thesis statement Set up the rest of your book review by introducing, in one sentence, the three topics you choose to focus your essay around (one literary element, one rhetorical device, & one type of figurative language).

Example thesis statement: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a thrilling read because of the unique treatment of archetypes seen in Harry & Dumbledores characters, the memorable use of alliteration in spells, places, and titles of items, and the numerous thoughtful allusions to Greek mythology.

II. Body Paragraph #1

A. Transition Use a transition word to begin your first sentence. Then, based on the literary element listed in your thesis statement, use a vivid, descriptive word that fits your analysis of the element.

For example, do not say, the setting was Instead, say, the dreary, melancholy setting of the run-down tavern in NYC creates

B. In at least seven strong sentences, introduce, develop, and support your analysis of the literary element in your thesis statement. Reference specific scenes in the text. Remember, your reader hasnt read your story, so you must be detailed.

Avoid repeated use of pronouns like he, she, it, they.” Instead, use the names of characters, items, and locations.

Never forget, Words taken directly from the text should be surrounded by quotation marks (Adkins 34).

C. End the paragraph by stating one thing you did not expect, one thing you would change, or one question you have for the author in relation to the literary element analyzed in this paragraph.

III. Body Paragraph #2

A. Transition Use a transition word to begin your first sentence. Then, based on the rhetorical device listed in your thesis statement, use a vivid, descriptive word that fits your analysis of the rhetorical device.

Remember, Words taken directly from the text should be surrounded by quotation marks (Adkins 149).

B. In at least seven strong sentences, introduce, develop, and support your analysis of the rhetorical device in your thesis statement. Reference specific scenes in the story.

C. End the paragraph by stating one thing you did not expect, one thing you would change, or one question you have for the author in relation to the rhetorical device analyzed in this paragraph.

IV. Body Paragraph #3

A. Transition Use a transition word to begin your first sentence. Then, based on the type of figurative language listed in your thesis statement, use a vivid, descriptive word that fits your analysis of the figurative language.

B. In at least seven strong sentences, introduce, develop, and support your analysis of the figurative language in your thesis statement. Reference specific scenes in the story.

Another reminder, Words taken directly from the text should be surrounded by quotation marks (Adkins 518).

C. End the paragraph by stating one thing you did not expect, one thing you would change, or one question you have for the author in relation to the type of figurative language analyzed in this paragraph.

V. Conclusion

A. Transition Use a transition word to begin your first sentence and restate your thesis statement.

B. Recommendation In at least three sentences, recommend this novel to a specific audience and give a valid reason why said audience should read this book.

Do not say, Everyone should read this book because its about mountains.

Instead, say, People living in the Appalachia will very much relate to the setting of this book. Those readers who take pride in their mountainous surroundings will appreciate this novel because it too depicts the beautiful yet treacherous terrain as Awol hikes the Appalachian Trail. To readers considering long thru-hikes, this text contains helpful guidance and a look into the freedom one can experience by braving this adventure.

C. Non-recommendation In at least two sentences, explain why certain readers may not enjoy this book.

Do not say, Dont read this book because everybody dies.

Instead, say, Readers who hope for happy endings may not enjoy this book. A few scenes describe the tragic loss of relatable characters. These details may be too bothersome for readers who become emotionally attached to characters.

D. Predict In your last two sentences, determine the impact of the book you read. Will it be used solely for entertainment purposes? Could it be the basis for a new way of thinking? Is it possible it would change something in our government, environment, scientific community, etc.? Will it influence future choices? What would be in a sequel?

Publishing:

In order to finalize your book project, you must publish it on a blog of your choice: WordPress.com, Weebly, etc. Type your book review in a normal Word document, in MLA format, then copy and paste it into a blog post. Alter the format of your essay within the blog post to look & feel more like an online composition.

The blog post must contain three images that relate to information in your essay. The images must be embedded within the text. Also, you must include one embedded web-link to a source (video, another blog, information page, news story) that relates to the book, your review, and/or the author in some way.

Submitting:

Return to your MLA formatted Word document version of your book review and paste a working link to your blog at the bottom of the document. It should be blue, and when I click on it, it should take me directly to your blog. Once you are finished with all components, upload your finalized book review to the appropriate Schoology assignment (Book Review #_) and submit it before the deadline.

If you would like feedback on your essay, please submit it to me before Friday, May 21st. I will add comments and highlight areas for you to edit and revise if neccessary. Then, you can make the corrections and resubmit it.

Deadline to submit Book Review #4: Wednesday, May 26th by 11:59 pm