Follow this link to rewatch the excellent interview we saw in class. John Boyne Interview
GROUP ACTIVITY
Form groups of approx 4. Work through each of the following questions/tasks.
We will share your group responses as a class.
1. In your group discuss where you see innocence and evil in the novel. Note the scenes down in these columns.
INNOCENCEEVIL
2. “Lines may divide us, but hope will unite us.”
This quote can be applied to this book. What are the ‘dividing lines’ for Bruno and Shmuel? Make a list of those you can think of.
3. In your group consider the ending of the story.
Did the deaths of Bruno and Shmuel have an impact on you as a reader?
4. “Of course all this happened a long time ago and nothing like this could ever happen again. Not in this day and age.”
Why do you think John Boyne finishes his book with these words?
Is this the truth or a warning of some kind?
Did you enjoy the story and its ending? Why?
If you were to suggest an alternative ending, what would it be?
Summative Task NOTE: THIS TASK IS NOT FOR THE CLASS OF 2015!! You will be emailed the task sheet on the day we do it in class. The task will be a creative one, and you will have to choose ONE option from the list provided.
Choose ONE of the following topics and write a 5 paragraph LITERARY ESSAY (approx 700 words). We will go through the steps involved in doing this task in class (remembering what we did for the essay on Holes).
Note: You must include at least 4 direct quotes from the novel in your essay
1) Bruno and Shmuel are more alike than different. Suggest how their alikeness contributes to a major theme in the novel. 2) Discuss the way three characters support the following statement: The very best of humanity is possible even in the most trying of circumstances. 3) John Boyne involves the reader in BSP through feelings of pathos for the characters involved. Discuss this statement using three characters. 4) It is easier to be brave if you don’t know how dangerous a situation is. Discuss whether Bruno is a brave boy or a coward. 5) Discuss the way Boyne uses the child’s perspective in the novel to emphasise that all men are equal. 6) Boyne uses clothing to illustrate images that work to develop the reader’s emotional response to the novel. Discuss this with reference to three different outfits.
All information regarding a due date, word limit and assessment criteria, will be emailed to you in our usual Task Sheet format.
Here is what we went through with the Holes essay as a reminder for you.
Here are the 6 Steps for tackling the summative task.
Remember it's a 700 word essay (give or take 50 words). Five paragraphs of approx 140 words each.
Step 1 - Key words of the topic.
Look carefully at the topic. What are the key words or ideas that spring out? What is the topic asking? Write/type these key words at the top of a blank page.
Step 2 - Brainstorm
For each key word think of all the ideas, examples and quotes you can that relate to that word. Go back to your formative questions and the book itself. Write it all down. Don't try to edit anything. You'll end up with a list of ideas, examples and quotes under each key word.
Step 3 - Organise
An essay of this type is set out as follows: Introduction: Include: introducing the book, who wrote it, what its main plot is, and what the topic is asking you to do. Outline the main points you wish to make, but don't go into detail. A good introduction tells the reader what the rest of the essay will be about. Main Body - 3 paragraphs that explain key ideas, examples and quotes from the brainstorming you did in Step 2. Simply number the ideas, examples and quotes to sort them into the appropriate paragraph. Conclusion - summarises your ideas. Make sure you answer any questions in the topic here.
Step 4 - Write
Now that the essay is planned, you take your organised points from Step 3 and expand them into full paragraphs.
Step 5 - Proofread/Edit
Very important. Reread your essay carefully. Check for spelling, punctuation, characters names being correct, sentences that make sense AND that you have answered the topic. Give me (or someone else) a draft to check.
Step 6 - Submit.
Make sure this is on or before the due date. Don't lose marks for being disorganised.
This page has the following:
Follow a web link to a series of quiz questions
An excellent summary table of the novel
A Group Activity that we may undertake if we have time
A description of the final Summative Task
Use this table to understand the various elements that make up each chapter of the book
Simply download the PDF file. The table is divided into Plot Outline, Key Character References, Themes, Language and Structure.
We will refer to this table as we work our way through the novel.
Video Interview with the author John Boyne
Follow this link to rewatch the excellent interview we saw in class.
John Boyne Interview
GROUP ACTIVITY
Form groups of approx 4. Work through each of the following questions/tasks.
We will share your group responses as a class.
1. In your group discuss where you see innocence and evil in the novel. Note the scenes down in these columns.
INNOCENCEEVIL
2. “Lines may divide us, but hope will unite us.”
This quote can be applied to this book. What are the ‘dividing lines’ for Bruno and Shmuel? Make a list of those you can think of.
3. In your group consider the ending of the story.
4. “Of course all this happened a long time ago and nothing like this could ever happen again. Not in this day and age.”
Summative Task NOTE: THIS TASK IS NOT FOR THE CLASS OF 2015!! You will be emailed the task sheet on the day we do it in class. The task will be a creative one, and you will have to choose ONE option from the list provided.
Choose ONE of the following topics and write a 5 paragraph LITERARY ESSAY (approx 700 words). We will go through the steps involved in doing this task in class (remembering what we did for the essay on Holes).
Note: You must include at least 4 direct quotes from the novel in your essay
1) Bruno and Shmuel are more alike than different. Suggest how their alikeness contributes to a major theme in the novel.
2) Discuss the way three characters support the following statement: The very best of humanity is possible even in the most trying of circumstances.
3) John Boyne involves the reader in BSP through feelings of pathos for the characters involved. Discuss this statement using three characters.
4) It is easier to be brave if you don’t know how dangerous a situation is. Discuss whether Bruno is a brave boy or a coward.
5) Discuss the way Boyne uses the child’s perspective in the novel to emphasise that all men are equal.
6) Boyne uses clothing to illustrate images that work to develop the reader’s emotional response to the novel. Discuss this with reference to three different outfits.
All information regarding a due date, word limit and assessment criteria, will be emailed to you in our usual Task Sheet format.
Here is what we went through with the Holes essay as a reminder for you.
Here are the 6 Steps for tackling the summative task.
Remember it's a 700 word essay (give or take 50 words). Five paragraphs of approx 140 words each.
Step 1 - Key words of the topic.
Look carefully at the topic. What are the key words or ideas that spring out? What is the topic asking? Write/type these key words at the top of a blank page.
Step 2 - Brainstorm
For each key word think of all the ideas, examples and quotes you can that relate to that word. Go back to your formative questions and the book itself. Write it all down. Don't try to edit anything. You'll end up with a list of ideas, examples and quotes under each key word.Step 3 - Organise
An essay of this type is set out as follows:Introduction: Include: introducing the book, who wrote it, what its main plot is, and what the topic is asking you to do. Outline the main points you wish to make, but don't go into detail.
A good introduction tells the reader what the rest of the essay will be about.
Main Body - 3 paragraphs that explain key ideas, examples and quotes from the brainstorming you did in Step 2. Simply number the ideas, examples and quotes to sort them into the appropriate paragraph.
Conclusion - summarises your ideas. Make sure you answer any questions in the topic here.
Step 4 - Write
Now that the essay is planned, you take your organised points from Step 3 and expand them into full paragraphs.Step 5 - Proofread/Edit
Very important. Reread your essay carefully. Check for spelling, punctuation, characters names being correct, sentences that make sense AND that you have answered the topic.Give me (or someone else) a draft to check.
Step 6 - Submit.
Make sure this is on or before the due date. Don't lose marks for being disorganised.Response to Literature Essay Writing