Contemporary Literature Project

100 Points
Objective: Choose ONE contemporary novel from the list below, read
it, and complete either an essay or project. Essays/Projects are DUE ON
Monday, May 1!

Contemporary Novels (Listed by Genre/Theme)

1. Dystopian Society
a. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
b. The Compound S.A. Bodeen
c. Empty by Suzanne Weyn
d. The Selection by Kiera Cass
e. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
2. Life and Death
a. Sickened by Julie Gregory (Nonfiction)
b. Please Stop Laughing at Me by Jodee Blanco (Nonfiction)
c. 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult
d. Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
e. Six Feet Over It by Jennifer Longo
3. Science Fiction
a. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
b. Future Shock by Elizabeth Briggs
c. The Leaving by Tara Altebrando
d. Unwind by Neal Shusterman
e. This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
4. Love
a. He Said, She Said by Kwame Alexander
b. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
c. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
d. Everyday by David Levithan
e. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E.
Smith
5. Sports
a. Striking Gridiron by Greg Nichols (Nonfiction)
b. Solo by Hope Solo (Nonfiction)
c. Juice by Eric Walters
d. Force Out by Tim Green
e. True Legend by Mike Lupica
6. Mystery/Thriller
a. Columbine by Dave Cullen (Nonfiction)
b. I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
c. The Night She Disappeared by April Henry
d. Beyond by Graham Mcnamee
 e. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

7. Classic Contemporary/Theme
a. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey
b. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
c. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
d. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
e. The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Requirements
1. Read ONE of the contemporary novels from the above list
2. Choose to either write an analytical essay about the novel or create a
creative project based on the novel. You only need to choose ONE! ESSAY
MUST BE TYPED.
a. Analytical Essay
i. Essay should examine how the novel exemplifies the
genre/theme it is under. Must include three examples proving
the novel fits its genre. For each example, use at least ONE
direct quote (cited using MLA) from the novel as support.
ii. Must be at least FIVE paragraphs in length
1. Introduction
a. Attention Getter
b. Brief Summary of Plot
c. Thesis Statement (3 examples the prove the
contemporary novel you read exemplifies the
genre/theme it is under)
2. Body Paragraphs (one per each reason)
a. Each paragraph must begin with a topic sentence
introducing each reason.
b. Be sure to introduce each example.
c. Use proper MLA citation for quotations (Authors Last
Name Page Number).
d. Be sure to FULLY EXPLAIN how each example proves
the novel fits its genre/theme.
3. Conclusion
a. Revisit Thesis
b. Summarize Main Points
c. Relate back to Attention Getter
b. Creative Project
i. If you decide to create a project, choose ONE of the following
projects to complete based on your contemporary novel.
1. Newspaper Front Pages
a. Create THREE front pages of a popular magazine or
newspaper that reflect your novel.
b. These front pages should include pictures, headlines,
magazine/newspaper titles, etc. Use existing
magazines or newspapers as examples. Must be in
color!
c. Remember the purpose of the front page is to SELL!
(People will judge a book by its cover)
 d. Each front page needs to be explained in a TYPED
paragraph (at least 6-8 sentences). Explain why you
did what you did, using specific examples from the
novel as support. You must use at least ONE direct
quote (cited using MLA) as support.
2. Illustrate THREE Scenes
a. The illustrations should represent an important
aspect of the novel (the conflict, climax, resolution,
etc.)
b. All illustrations must be neat, creative, and in color
c. All illustrations must be explained in a TYPED
paragraph (at least 6-8 sentences). Explain why you
did what you did, using specific examples from the
novel as support. You must use at least ONE direct
quote (cited using MLA) as support.

3. Photos
a. Photograph three scenes, characters, etc. from the
novel.
b. You should stage these photographs, but they must
represent the novel in some way.
c. Be creative! Use costumes, props, etc.
d. Photographs must be printed and brought in.
e. All photos must be explained in a TYPED paragraph
(at least 6-8 sentences). Explain why you did what
you did, using specific examples from the novel as
support. You must use at least ONE direct quote
(cited using MLA) as support.
4. Create your own film
a. You must portray THREE short scenes.
b. You are responsible for finding actors to be in your
film, and you must play a role in it as well.
c. A formal script must be turned in with your film.
d. WARNING: Do not attempt this project unless you
intend to take it seriously and you have experience
with either acting and/or video equipment.

Rubric

1.Analytical Essay
___________/100
a. Introduction _________/20
b. Body _________/40
c. Conclusion _________/20
d. Grammar, Format, and Mechanics _________/20
OR

2.Creative Project
___________/100
a. Neatness, creativity _________/25
b. Project meets all requirements _________/40
c. Writing requirements _________/20
d. Grammar and mechanics _________/15