Beloved Project and Rubric

Objectives:

• Use your critical reading skills to determine a "correct" theme (as defined by Perrine who says there is not just one correct interpretation but there are incorrect interpretations--those that do not account for all the details or that contradict some details)
• Use your argumentation skills to back up that theme with Morrison's details
• Use creativity to illustrate this argument in a medium other than an essay

Directions:

1. Determine your theme.  Use your understanding and reading of the book, our class discussions, and the list of details the class came up with to help you determine what you believe Morrison is arguing.  Remember that it must be an argument (it's debatable) and that the details must help her make that point.
2. Determine the details that best show how Morrison creates that argument.  You need at least six details from the book to help you do that.
3. Create a project that allows you to demonstrate the theme and the details that support it.  This can be artsy/crafty (collage, poster, mobile, etc.), techie (Prezi, Voice Thread, video, etc.), or artistic (drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.).  Honestly, it can be anything that is NOT an essay but helps you show your interpretation of the book.
4. Be sure to include any needed explanations that help me see how the details support the theme.  If you expect me to "fill in the dots" myself, be prepared for me to potentially misinterpret.

Timeline:

Wednesday--no class
Thursday--class work day.  You may use this time to work on your project OR read your non-fiction independent reading book
Friday--project is due in class (if it's techie, you may email it to me before class).  We will have NYT presentations during class so you will not have time to work on your projects, nor will you need to present your project to the class.  Any time leftover after NYT will be for reading your non-fiction book.

Rubric:

A
Reasonable, "correct" theme is clearly supported by at least 6 details.  Needed explanations are there to help me see what the project is trying to illustrate.  Fulfills the objectives, demonstrating strong critical reading and argumentation skills.

B
Reasonable, "correct" theme that is not as clearly supported by at least 6 details.  Explanations may be unclear or absent so that I "see where you were going" but your strong critical reading and argumentation skills are not as clear or strong.

C
Unreasonable, "incorrect" theme that is contradicted by details/parts of the book.  Project does not demonstrate critical reading skills because your interpretation ignores details that don't jive with what you're saying.  You still include at least 6 details and may explain them, but not in a way that makes your theme reasonable.

D
Clear misunderstanding of the book or inability to complete the assigned project.  Perhaps the explanations of the details/book make no sense or there is no clear theme communicated or there are less than the required 6 details to support a stated theme.  This is an unsuccessful project that does not fulfill the first two objectives.

Degree of letter (+ or -)
Creativity, effort, and choice and execution of an effective medium to make your point.  This part of your grade measures the third objective of the assignment which is less important to me, but still part of your grade.  Disclaimer:  failing this objective completely (writing an essay) will merit a lower grade.  You can't write an essay and get an A-. =)