Balzac Overview and Reading Assignments

ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS

Throughout the two weeks of reading the novel, you will be required to complete all readings as assigned and complete both classwork and homework related to the readings.

Assignments

SQQR~ (Summarize, Question, Quote, Respond)	20 points per SQQR
DEJ~(Double Entry Journal)	20 points per DEJ

 Reading Schedule

Pages	WHAT’S    DUE?	DUE DATE
3-20	SQQR	11/9
21-41	SQQR	11/10
45-65	SQQR	11/12
66-89	SQQR	11/15
90-105	DEJ	11/16
109-130	DEJ	11/17
131-146	DEJ	11/18
147-157	DEJ	11/19
157-end	DEJ	11/22

First half of the book: SQQR

Instructions: While reading Chapters 1-4, you will use the SQQR format to do a close reading of the novel.

Step 1:  Summarize

You will write a 5-7 sentence summary of the assigned reading.  Your summary should be written in your own and words and should include information about the plot, setting, characters and important details about the characters’ personality traits.

Step 2:  Question

You will write a question that you have about the assigned reading. Your question could be something you’re confused about or something you are wondering; you can even speak directly to one of the characters, or question the author’s choices while they writing this particular part of the novel. DO NOT WRITE ANY “RIGHT THERE” QUESTIONS, LIKE “What is the name of the town where the boys live?”

Good examples: “How did the boys feel when they had to move to a different village?” or “Why did the author choose to have the boys read books that would get them in trouble?” or “I’m confused about the boys’ relationship with the seamstress…how can they do this?” or “Luo, why did you feel the need to punch the narrator?”

Step 3: Quote

Choose a quote from the reading that stood out for you. It is a good idea to choose a quote that shows some change or development in one of the characters.  Write this quote on the SQQR worksheet. If you choose a long quote, shorten it with an ellipse (…) Make a note of who said this quote and the page #. Ex.  “…Quote quote quote quote” (Narrator, pg.66)

Step 4: Respond

Respond to the quote that you chose for Step 3. You may write about why this quote is important to the rest of the novel, what it shows about the character or the plot, or you may explain your own ideas and analysis about why this quote is significant.  This should be at least 3 sentences.

You can complete the SQQR on a sheet of binder paper, by folding it into four squares and labeling each one as follows:

SUMMARIZE 5-7 sentence summary of the night’s reading	QUESTION One question that you have about the reading
QUOTE An important quote that shows a change or development in a character	RESPOND A three sentence analysis of why this quote is important to the novel.

Second Half of the Book: Double Entry Journal (DEJ)

After completing the first 4 chapters of the novel, you will choose a character to focus on.  You will complete a Double Entry Journal in which you select quotes that show change in your selected character.  You will provide analysis for each of your quotes that explain how this quote shows change in your character and how this change affects the story. FYI, another character may say something that shows a change in your chosen character…this is fine too; write it down. 

You must select two quotes a night and analyze each one separately.

Your quote should be on the left side of the page, and include a text note. Your analysis (the right side of the page) should be at least 4 sentences long FOR EACH QUOTE. 

     

     CHARACTER NAME

Quote 1.  “The only thing Luo was good at was telling stories…” (18).

THIS QUOTE SHOWS This shows change because Luo…and this change affects the story because… (this should be at least 4 sentences!)

Guiding questions for the fishbowls:

-What person/thing/idea influences one character the most and why?

-What causes one character to change? In what ways does that character change?