Ms. Gokturk

Trends in Literature

Outside Reading Portfolio

Pierre Boulle’s Planet of the Apes, HG Wells’ War of the Worlds, George Orwell’s 1984, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, or Octavia Butler’s The Parable of the Sower)

Your Task: Working in groups, discuss and analyze your outside reading selection, using your responses to the Outside Reading Discussion Preparation Assignment. Create a portfolio of work that illustrates close reading and analysis. Use your novel to search for appropriate text based evidence where needed. You will have three class periods to work together, but you should assign each other tasks to complete for homework.[*]

Assessment: You will receive both an individual grade (both for process and final product) and a group grade (both for process and final product).

Portfolio Requirements:

1. Cover Page. Include the title, the author, your names, and create a cover that highlights symbols and/or themes from the work. Do not copy and paste existing covers, please. Be creative.
2. Political Propaganda. Seek out the political message/s of the text and create a one page political propaganda ad/slogan using propaganda devices (see attached sheet). On a separate page, provide a follow up explanation that details what devices you used and how.
3. Artifacts from Your World. Create one of each.
• A Constitution. Write a constitution (the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, or the like, is governed). On a separate page, write a follow up that illustrates the political atmosphere of the novel using TBE.
• A travel brochure or travel poster inviting tourists to visit. Capture the setting and mood. On a separate page, provide a follow up explanation that connects to the ideas of the novel using specifics.
• A National Anthem or Theme Song (write this to any tune you wish, including camp or folk songs, nursery songs, or popular music); on a separate page, please include a self-analysis that follows the song that makes specific connections to the text.
• A Want Ad for a job (or jobs); on a separate page, provide an explanation that connects what you did to the text.
• A menu for a typical meal in your novel’s world – Bon Appetit! On a separate page, provide an explanation about the menu choices using TBE from the text.
4. Editorial. Find the injustice or problem in the novel and write an editorial (350-500 words) that persuades the reader to a position. You may not use “I” or “we.”
5. Study Guide. Using your own observations, analyses, and brains, create a 1-2 page study handout that anyone reading this book could use to help them understand the important ideas. This is not plot summary, nor is it “borrowed” from another source. It should include graphic organizers (T charts, Venn, Timeline, etc.) and some type of clever and meaningful illustration. Make it easy to follow and chock full of good details.
6. Letter of Recommendation. Write a letter (1 page single spaced, signed by all of you) to future readers recommending (or not recommending) this novel. Provide insight, be entertaining, give helpful tips, discuss a film (or films) that would enhance the reading of the novel, and/or whatever tips future readers could use when selecting and reading their outside reading book.

Please hand in the portfolio in the order listed above. Proofread!

Propaganda Devices

Propaganda: “The spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person; ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect”

People often think of propaganda as something negative, as in a con or a lie. But propaganda really doesn't have anything to do with negative or positive. It's a technique. The word propaganda refers to any technique that attempts to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes or behavior of a group in order to benefit the sponsor. The purpose of propaganda is to persuade (in order to benefit the sponsor).

Propaganda Devices

1. Bad Names: Method by which we are tempted to judge without looking at the real facts. Ex., guilty, fungus, liberal, infected, diseased, wishy-washy, radical, terrorist, tree-hugger, bum.

2. Glad Names: Keeping the reader’s attention from real facts by using pleasant word. Ex., truth, freedom, sexy, beautiful, lovely.

3. Transfer: The writer tells us or reminds us of something which we admire and about something which he wants us to like. Ex., A politician may point out that he teaches Sunday school. Since most people have good feelings for churches, the politician hopes the good feeling will transfer to him.

4. Testimonial: A well-known person is saying that he likes something or a product or a person. This is also called a celebrity endorsement.

5. Plain Folks: Politicians use this approach a great deal to win our confidence by appearing to be just common ordinary people, “just plain folks.”

6. Stacking the Cards: Do not tell the full truth; omit important facts. A writer is directing the reader’s attention to one detail.

7. Bandwagon: Everyone is doing it, why aren’t you? It’s time to join the crowd. Ex., Don’t be different. Don’t be a loser.

8. Special Offer: discount, sales, coupons, etc. are offered to draw customers.

9. Eye Appeal: Items look good using special photographic techniques that make something or a person look better than reality.

10. Happy Family Appeal: This tries to show that by using this product, you keep your family happy and healthy.

11. Snob Appeal: This technique appeals to those who are wealthy or want others to think that they are wealthy, and superior to everyone else.

12. Youth Appeal: This technique wants others to believe that if they use this product, they are youthful.

13. Sex Appeal: This technique tries to make you believe that if you use this product, or way of thinking, you are sexy and more sensual.

14. Something New: This device tries to win your thinking that the product or person has something new to offer.

15. Humble Approach: A device use to win you over on the belief that the product is not number one, but they are trying their best.

16. Statistics: Any use of numbers/ percentages, which is used to sway the audience to believe they are correct or better than another.

17. Humor: This method is used to manipulate others through the use of jokes or any form of humor.

18. Fear: Warns audience that a disaster will follow if they don’t do something the ad proposes; this lessens the fear.

Editorial Checklist

ü There is a headline for your editorial

ü The editorial is between 350-500 words

ü The editorial has a clear introduction that describes the situation briefly proposes a solution.

ü The body includes at least 3 paragraphs and each develops the idea further.

ü The order of examples is logical.

ü The editorial addresses a situation faced by the majority of the characters in the novel.

ü The editorial ends by suggesting a feasible solution

ü Argument is clear and concise.

ü The editorial doesn’t sound like a venting or long-winded speech. It has a clear purpose

ü Overall, the editorial avoids excessive emotions.

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[*] Please don’t be absent! Avoid it at all costs, but if you absolutely must be absent, don’t leave your group in limbo. Email or call them (or me: vgokturk@portnet.k12.ny.us/ 767-5868) so they can have access to your work.