For this section of the summer work, you are required to COMPLETE the reading, annotating and analysis of John Steinbeck’s PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING novel, The Grapes of Wrath. I am not asking you to read the Cliff Notes of The Grapes of Wrath or the Spark Notes version of The Grapes of Wrath or any other abbreviated short-cut version, but the splendid American classic in its entirety. Turning to these guides is not an effective or accepted substitute for reading and analysis. Ultimately you will gain so much more from engaging with the works independent of outside analysis, even though confusion and struggle may be part of the process. Furthermore, plagiarism will get you nowhere, except perhaps to the principal's office, and will result in your receiving no credit for the assignment. If you are having difficulty, contact me! I am here to help.
Remember, you can print this page by clicking the down arrow on the page tab and selecting the print option.
Before you read
In order to make your reading more enjoyable and so that you get more out of what you read, I am including the following for you to read:
A summary of the work and its significance on the website Beyond Books. This will give you a good idea of the time period and Steinbeck’s intentions in writing the novel so that you are not going into the novel cold….
An overview of Steinbeck's Literary Style. This will give you some perspective in understanding his literary genius.
Resources entitled
The Role of Good Reading is a packet that will give you information about annotation and why the technique is of value to helping you to hone your analytical skills.
The Theme Messages handout will help you to take theme topics and articulate the deeper meaning of a work.
The Annotation Score Sheet is the holistic rubric I will use as I grade your annotations. Take care to read this invaluable resource so you know what I will be looking for.
While you read
Annotations:
In order to truly construct meaning from a text, you need to annotate the work. Constructing meaning is a complex and active process and annotation helps students to slow down and develop critical analysis skills needed to construct that meaning. When you annotate The Grapes of Wrath, you are required to label and interpret the literary devices outlined on the Reading Reduction Script —chapter/scene 1, character analysis, point of view, symbolism, patterns, title, important scenes, ending, theme, etc. (For help extracting theme, see the Theme Messages sheet). Please see the Instructions for Completing a Reading Reduction Script for details and explanations about each area on the script. Annotations will be scored according to the Annotation Score Sheet. Please be advised that underlining or highlighting is insufficient to count as annotation. For a more effective approach (and to earn full credit), write a word or phrase in the margin that indicates the significance of the underlined passage. Annotations are worth 30 points and will be due the first day of class.
Dialectical Journal:
UPDATE TO REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DIALECTICAL JOURNAL: you only need to complete 15 entries instead of the 30 stated on the explanatory sheet! YOU'RE WELCOME!!!!!
Think of your dialectical journal (click for detailed instructions concerning how to complete the journal and for an example) as a series of conversations with the text as you read. It is important to not that the term “dialectic” means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.” Essentially, the process is meant to help you develop a better understanding of the text as you read it. Use this journal to incorporate your personal responses to the text, your ideas about the themes, style, and narration. You will find that it is a useful way to process what you’re reading, prepare yourself for discussion, and gather textual evidence for your Literary Analysis assignments. Your insights should not be plot summary but rather analysis of the author’s purpose. For detailed instructions concerning how to complete the journal and for an example of a dialectical journal, click on the dialectical journal link above.
The dialectical journal is worth 30 points and will be due the first day of class. Refer to the dialectical journal rubric for details concerning how I will grade your journal.
Required Reading Assignment
For this section of the summer work, you are required to COMPLETE the reading, annotating and analysis of John Steinbeck’s PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING novel, The Grapes of Wrath. I am not asking you to read the Cliff Notes of The Grapes of Wrath or the Spark Notes version of The Grapes of Wrath or any other abbreviated short-cut version, but the splendid American classic in its entirety. Turning to these guides is not an effective or accepted substitute for reading and analysis. Ultimately you will gain so much more from engaging with the works independent of outside analysis, even though confusion and struggle may be part of the process. Furthermore, plagiarism will get you nowhere, except perhaps to the principal's office, and will result in your receiving no credit for the assignment. If you are having difficulty, contact me! I am here to help.
Remember, you can print this page by clicking the down arrow on the page tab and selecting the print option.
Before you read
In order to make your reading more enjoyable and so that you get more out of what you read, I am including the following for you to read:
While you read
Annotations:
In order to truly construct meaning from a text, you need to annotate the work. Constructing meaning is a complex and active process and annotation helps students to slow down and develop critical analysis skills needed to construct that meaning. When you annotate The Grapes of Wrath, you are required to label and interpret the literary devices outlined on the Reading Reduction Script —chapter/scene 1, character analysis, point of view, symbolism, patterns, title, important scenes, ending, theme, etc. (For help extracting theme, see the Theme Messages sheet). Please see the Instructions for Completing a Reading Reduction Script for details and explanations about each area on the script. Annotations will be scored according to the Annotation Score Sheet. Please be advised that underlining or highlighting is insufficient to count as annotation. For a more effective approach (and to earn full credit), write a word or phrase in the margin that indicates the significance of the underlined passage. Annotations are worth 30 points and will be due the first day of class.
Dialectical Journal:
UPDATE TO REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DIALECTICAL JOURNAL: you only need to complete 15 entries instead of the 30 stated on the explanatory sheet! YOU'RE WELCOME!!!!!
Think of your dialectical journal (click for detailed instructions concerning how to complete the journal and for an example) as a series of conversations with the text as you read. It is important to not that the term “dialectic” means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.” Essentially, the process is meant to help you develop a better understanding of the text as you read it. Use this journal to incorporate your personal responses to the text, your ideas about the themes, style, and narration. You will find that it is a useful way to process what you’re reading, prepare yourself for discussion, and gather textual evidence for your Literary Analysis assignments. Your insights should not be plot summary but rather analysis of the author’s purpose. For detailed instructions concerning how to complete the journal and for an example of a dialectical journal, click on the dialectical journal link above.
The dialectical journal is worth 30 points and will be due the first day of class. Refer to the dialectical journal rubric for details concerning how I will grade your journal.
©Cheryl Bissmeyer
April 2010