My Reading Journal

English Department

Olga S. Sirota, supervisor

[e-mail]

Summer Reading Assignment

We ask that all students read Lord of the Flies* by William Golding BEFORE the first English course meeting in the autumn semester.

Please follow this link http://gv.pl/pdf/lord_of_the_flies.pdf to read the novel.

Please follow the following links https://www.dropbox.com/s/n3m4vs8t17nal85/_LOTF-01-18.rar

Https://www.dropbox.com/s/192mdlgzlhkw6l0/_LOTF-20-36.rar

Https://www.dropbox.com/s/8lygcg1zumln5q8/_LOTF-38-56.rar to listen to the book.

While reading the novel, you must keep a reading journal of your experience with this book.

What is it?

A record of what you read – PLUS

Plot events, character notes

Initial impressions

Questions that probe character, clarify plot events, delve into meaning of language, symbol, structure

Personal response to plot, character, theme, language

Connections to own reading background, personal background and to other “stuff” learned

Answers to your earlier questions as they become clearer to you

– this is an ongoing thinking process that becomes richer and more complex as you read and as you practice this skill

This time you will need to concentrate on:

· the plot (keep notes of the major events in each chapter)

· the characters

· the setting (the place and time at which the action of a novel takes place)

How do you write it?

· Divide your page in half – use the right hand side of the page for analysis and questioning – use the left hand side for plot details

· Keep your notes as you read – but “chunk” your reading – i.e. read a logical “chunk” then stop and make your notes

Sample

TASK 1

Plot notes

Chapter 1

The story opens as a group of English boys find themselves abandoned on a deserted island when their plane crashes. The first two characters the reader encounters are Ralph, a fair-haired boy who seems a little detached, and Piggy, a fat, asthmatic and unattractive boy. They find a conch on the beach and use it to call other survivors on the island. ………

Chapter 2

TASK 2

Character notes

Ralph

Appearance: fair-haired, …

Character: ambitious, somewhat arrogant, …

Piggy

Appearance: short, fat, wearing glasses, …

Character: intelligent, …

TASK 3

My Reading Journal

Episode	Your comment
Description of Ralph on pg6 ‘the boy with fair hair’
Description of Piggy on pg7 ‘ shorter than the fair boy and very fat. He came forward, searching out safe lodgments for his feet, and then looked up through thick spectacles. ’	Physical contrast between the two characters. Piggy is described as physically inferior to Ralph. The way Piggy walks shows that he lacks self-confidence. ‘Thick spectacles’ and weight might be reasons for teasing him. We often taunt people who are different from us in any way (crowd and individual).
Ralph realises that there are no grownups on the island. Pg7 ‘the delight of a realized ambition overcame him’	Ralph seems to be an ambitious boy who aims high. How might his character change if he gets access to power? This might also be the beginning of the conflict - opportunity to manage their lives on their own and lack of ability to deal with it
Piggy asks Ralph’s name and expects Ralph will ask his in return but Ralph seems indifferent. Still Piggy follows Ralph and tries to attract his attention. Pg9	This episode again highlights Piggy’s vulnerability. he was probably teased and rejected at school. So he jumps at a chance to build a new relationship in which he will be treated as an equal/respected/listened to.
Description of Ralph on pg11

Content: The journal will fall into three parts:

Part 1 consists of a summary of each chapter

Part 2 consists of descriptions of major characters

Part 3 36 comments (choose 3 events/situations from each chapter - See table above)

Due Date: The reading journal must be submitted on the first full day of your English class.

Format: The journal must be typed (Double-spaced, Times New Roman, and size 12 font).

Questions: Please contact Ms. Sirota with any questions you have during the summer: [e-mail]

Students are responsible for completing course assignments in an ethical manner and must not copy materials produced by others in print or electronically without giving due credit to the author(s). This policy also applies to microwriting assignments by fellow students and internet sources. Plagiarized assignments will receive a grade of 0.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-29