Choose Your Own Adventure…
US Literature Final Exam Project
Overview: For the US Literature final exam, you will choose a novel or collection to read and
analyze, and then create a project that displays your understanding of the novel on a deeper
level and its connections to previous course readings and discussions. Presentations of final
project will take place during the final exam block.
Book Selection:
The book you choose is entirely up to you…as long as fits
into the following requirements:
The book must be by an American writer. (This is
US literature after all. So, no Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows or Lord of the Rings)
The book must be age-appropriate and reflect a
high school reading level. (While I love The Lorax,
Dr. Seuss is too young. So is Gary Paulsen.)
The book must be approved by Mrs. Rice. (The
intent here is to ensure that your selection will give
you the level of analysis that is required for this
project.)
Analysis of the Novel:
As you read your novel, pay particular attention to aspects of the story that will help you
answer the following questions. These questions are the basis of the final exam project and
must be answered in detail, with deep thought/insight, and using specific evidence from the
story (this means specific quotations and examples).
CHARACTERS: Identify and analyze the key characters of the story. What motivates
them? What are their beliefs or attitudes? What are the characters’ strengths and
weaknesses? (Pay attention to the body biography project we do for The Crucible; this
will help guide you in analyzing a character in-depth.)
CONFLICTS: What is the key conflict(s) in the story? What is the nature of the conflict,
or the root of the conflict? (Start with man vs. man, man. vs. self, man vs. society, and
man vs. nature; however, push beyond this to discuss specific conflicts.) How does the
conflict drive the plot?
CONNECTIONS: How does the story, its characters and conflicts, connect to you
personally OR to our culture? How does the story, its characters and conflicts, connect to
past units/topics/themes we have examined this semester? In addition, choose a key
message or theme of the story and discuss.
CHOICES: Choose another interesting aspect of the story and explore it in further detail.
Final Project Formats: While all of these projects are more creative than a traditional analysis
paper, you must still remember that the analysis questions are the basis of your entire
project! Not every format will work for every novel, so choose wisely!
Story Soundtrack– burn a music CD; design a cover and booklet; explain your choices
o At least 8 songs to answer the analysis questions
 Download and burn the music to a CD
o Design a creative CD cover and booklet
 The booklet should list song titles and artists as well as any additional
information you want to include; have appealing/appropriate artwork
o Written rationale
 The typed rationale should explain how each song connects to the novel
and answers the analysis questions. Use specific evidence from the novel as
well as specific song lyrics to discuss your interpretation. (At least two
paragraphs for each song)
Photo Essay – if you are photographer, this is a project for you. Take a series of
photographs (color and/or black & white) that capture your unique interpretation of the
story, key characters, important issues and conflicts,
o At least 8 photographs presented in an artist/appropriate manner (don’t just hand
in the photos in a pile, but create a display of the photos). These photos must be
taken by you and not cut-and-paste from the Internet.
o Photos must have captions that explain the picture
o Written rationale (this is different from the caption)
 The typed rationale should explain how each photo connects to the novel
and answers the analysis questions. Use specific evidence from the novel
as well as a discussion of the photograph. (At least two paragraphs for
each photo).
Original Website – create an interpretation of the story by building a website.
o Build a website with at least 5 pages (this doesn’t have to be a functioning website
online although that is preferable). You will either email me the link or email me
the website—if not functional—in order for me to grade your project.
 A home page with introductory information
 Four pages of analysis (at least one page for each of the analysis question
categories: characters, conflicts, connections, choices)
o Combine graphics, photos, and other artwork with written analysis
 Fonts, colors, graphics, and layout are clean and professional
 Use Macromedia, Publisher, or other webpage design software
Scrapbook or Travel Journal –choose one key character from the story and create a
scrapbook or travel journal from that character’s point of view.
o At least 8 pages
o Include graphics, photos, artwork, ticket stubs, postcards, other mementos that
would be collected on the character’s journey in the story
o Include writing to answer the analysis questions
 Writing can take on a unique format: a letter, journal entry, postcard, etc,
but must answer all the analysis questions in-depth.
Final Project Timeline:
Following is a tentative timeline for completing this project. DON’T PROCRASTINATE! You
will be given some class time, but a large chunk of the project will need to be completed outside
of class. You should bring your book with you to class often; if there is extra time on a day that
is not designated below, you will be given that time to read.
DATE
Monday, April 12th
Monday, April 19th
Tuesday, May 4th
Friday, May 14th
Wednesday, May 19th
Final Exam Period
Period 1: 5/24 (9-9:25)
Period 2: 5/26(8-9:25)
Period 3: 5’24 (9:40-11:05)
ACTIVITY
Introduce final exam project/Library to explore books and select
your novel (get approved!)
Reading Day** (This day could also be used to read The Crucible)
Reading/Work Day
Reading/Work Day
Seniors Last Day—Seniors turn-in projects
Presentations of final project
**Entire project must be ready to turn-in!
Final Project Grading Rubric
The final project is worth 100 points. Review the accompanying rubric for specific information
about grading. Use the rubric to guide your project and ensure you have all the required parts.
Note about final project presentations:
Just so there isn’t any misunderstanding….
If you are not ready to go final exam period, you will receive a ZERO for the final project.
If you have an unexcused absence on the final exam period, you will receive a ZERO for
the project.
If you have an excused absence on the final exam period, you are required to come in on
a make-up period or you will receive a ZERO for the project.
Final Project SCORING GUIDE
If you will want your final project returned to you, please put attach a sticky note indicating so before
you turn it in.
Analysis Questions: (60 points—15 points for each category)
Project must incorporate answers to all of the following questions:
CHARACTERS: Identify and analyze the key characters of the story. What motivates them?
What are their beliefs or attitudes? What are the characters’ strengths and weaknesses?
(Remember your body biography…)
CONFLICTS: What is the key conflict(s) in the story? What is the nature of the conflict, or the
root of the conflict? (Start with man vs. man, man. vs. self, man vs. society, and man vs. nature;
however, push beyond this to discuss specific conflicts.)
CONNECTIONS: How does the story, its characters and conflicts, connect to you personally OR to
our culture? In other words, choose a key message or theme of the story and discuss.
CHOICES: Choose another interesting aspect of the story and explore in further detail.
Project format: (25 points)
Project meets all guidelines of selected format
Written rationale is clear and promotes additional understanding of project
Final project is proofread, creative, and thoughtful
Overall appearance of final project
Presentation: (15 points) **PLEASE PRACTICE YOUR PRESENTATION**
Presentation meets time requirement (4-5 minutes)
Presentation is clear and easy to understand. Presenter is not reading, but actually talking to the
audience
Presentation includes the following:
o Short summary of the novel (avoid giving key plot points away)
o An overview of the four questions—and how you chose to incorporate those answers into
your project format
o An explanation of your project—show your pictures or scrapbooks, tell about/play your
song choices, or project your website. Walk us through what you included in your
project format
o A recommendation (or not!) of your book—what did you think of it/would others enjoy
it?