Ristok

ENG4U1

Creative Assignments for ENG 4U Novel Study

Pick one of the following options (or, in consultation with your teacher, come up
with your own). Each person in the class must hand in their own assignment, but
you can employ others to help you (e.g., to help you make a film). I would advise
you to go with your artistic strengths here: something you feel comfortable doing.
For your artistic inspiration, you must use your Book Club novel, and you may
be inspired by more than one text you have read; please make it clear which text
has inspired your creation and why/how in your explanation. Inspiration may be
direct (e.g., you paint scenes from the novel studied) or indirect/tangential (e.g.,
you make a documentary about love among the upper class in Brontes time).
Have your assignment prepared for Monday, December 1st, at which time we will
have a creative assignment fair in our class where everyone can see everyone
elses work. No matter what your assignment, you should be able to
answer questions from the class/your teacher. In addition, you may have to
leave your assignment with your teacher (i.e., hand it in).
Because the assignments are quite varied, what I will look for as I mark them will
vary as well, but generally you will find I will be marking the following:
KNOWLEDGE
- knowledge of the text demonstrated in your assignment in sufficient depth
original ideas
understanding of text as well as artistic medium
INQUIRY
insight into/analysis of the text evident
interesting to look at/hear/read
reflects planning and critical and creative thinking
possesses/demonstrates theme(s)
COMMUNICATION
work of art is professional and well put-together
good use of medium/elements/conventions to create a work of art
reflects consideration/reception of audience
APPLICATION
fits the requirements of the assignment
logical structure and sequence of ideas
adherence to the strictures of the chosen form/medium
apparent artistic design
makes connections between text, world and art
demonstrates a reasonable degree of effort
Please feel free to discuss how the evaluation criteria may differ for your
particular project before the due date

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ENG4U1

OPTIONS:
Television/film adaptationMake a television/film adaptation of the text, including
script, actors, costumes, and sets shot and edited on videotape and shown to the
class. Minimum 10 minutes. Your adaptation could be serious or a parody. Then
write a 350 word justification for your artistic decisions: how you edited down the
text to adapt it to fit your script, choice of actors, costumes and sets, video editing
decisions, etc.
Puppet showPerform your own puppet show adaptation of the text including
puppets, script, theatre structure and sets, puppeteers, props, etc. Minimum 10
minutes in length. Write a 350 word justification for your artistic decisions: how
you edited down the text to adapt it to fit your script, how the puppets look, theatre
and set, props, etc.
ArchitectureDesign exteriors and interiors of buildings from the text, being as
accurate historically and as loyal to the text as possible, using the principles and
methodology employed by architects. Include what you envision for the buildings
structure, but also for placement of any landscaping, furniture, statues, etc. which
might be found in or outside the building. Minimum 5 drawings. Write a 350 word
explanation of what you have done, especially justifying your choices with reference
to the text.
Song/musicWrite and perform a piece of music inspired by the text. Write the
music choosing a musical form (genre, type of music/song) suited to the text,
making certain the structure of the piece is inspired by the content of the text (e.g.,
ascending clusters of notes can symbolize moving upwards in life). You can write a
libretto or lyrics in which content and form are also inspired by the text. Minimum 3
minutes in length. Perform your music live for the class (use other musicians, if you
wish). Write a 350 word explanation in which you justify your artistic choices
including musical form, structure, lyrics, etc.
Stand-Up ComedyWrite and perform a stand-up comedy routine (minimum 7
minutes in length) in which you make fun of the writer/writing, characters, plot,
conflict, and/or themes etc. of the text using jokes, imitations, etc. Be funny! Do
not employ obscenity or any lewd references. Be sure to include plenty of direct
references to the text; stick to making fun of the text, NOT your classmates,
teachers, or school.
DocumentaryResearch, write, shoot on videotape and edit a documentary on
some real historical, sociological, biographical, etc. aspect of the text, making sure
you are as accurate, entertaining and informative as possible (minimum 10
minutes). Combine film clips you get from elsewhere, video you shoot yourself,
music, voiceover narration and onscreen credits to make the documentary.
TV/Radio NewscastWrite, perform, shoot and edit a newscast for intended for
radio/tv broadcast composed of news stories from the text including
news/arts/sports/business/weather stories, audio/video clips, and announcers.
Broadcasts should be commercial free and at least 10 minutes in length. Play your
newscast for the class. This is not a satire.

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ENG4U1

Photographic ExhibitionConceive, shoot, develop, title and assemble photographs

inspired by the text, with suitable models, props, and settings. Develop these
pictures and have them sized to suit how you plan to assemble them, and put them
together in big portfolio with appropriate titles. Minimum 25 photographs. Write a
350 word explanation of your photographs and how they connect to the text.
TheatreWrite a theatrical adaptation of the text/part of the text, create costumes,
sets, props, assemble actors, memorize lines, rehearse and then perform your
theatrical adaptation live for the class. Your performance should be a minimum of
10 minutes. Write a 350 word explanation of your artistic choices, including your
script adaptation, costumes, props, actors, etc.
Visual ArtDraw/paint/etch/sculpt etc. a series of pieces inspired by the text
(minimum three). Your visual art does not have to consistently be in one medium.
Be realist, abstract or non-objective or any combination thereof; you only need to
be able to provide a rationale for what you have done based on the text. Write a
350 word explanation of your art and how it relates to the text.
SewingSew clothing, or create a wall-hanging, do knitting, embroidery, etc. which
is inspired by the textit may be an outfit a character wears, it may depict a scene
from the text, etc. Minimum one to three pieces. Write a 350 word explanation of
your work and how it relates to the text.
PotteryCreate pottery (on a wheel?) that is inspired by the text. Glaze and fire it
appropriately. It could be (part of) a meal setting for a dinner from the book, or it
could be some sort of sculpture that is otherwise inspired by the text. Minimum one
to three pieces. Write a 350 word explanation of your work and how it relates to the
text.
PoetryCreate a collection (5-10, depending on length) of poems that is inspired by
the text. They could be presented as written by a character in the text, or your
poems, inspired by a theme, event or idea in the text. Include a 350 word
explanation of your work and how it relates to the text.
LettersWrite a series of letters (3-6, depending on length) that relate in a
meaningful way to your text. They could be an exchange between two characters,
or letters from one character, which either do or do not reach their intended
recipient. Write a 350 word explanation of your work and how it relates to the text.
OTHERCome up with some other creative approach to the text, which, in its
demands, represents approximately the same amount of work as any of the options
above. You MUST get my approval on your idea before you go ahead with it.
Because it is too difficult for your teacher to discern what is ready-made from a mix
you buy at the store and what is made from scratch, please do not plan to cook or
bake anything for this assignment.