In a group of three people, each member will take on a different role for your literature circle. If there is a fourth person in your group, that person may take a role of his/her choice. This person cannot just divide a single role with another member. Your group will meet outside of school to discuss the book.

You will turn in your own work, individually, as you will receive individual grades. Each submission must be word processed in standard format and have a cover page that contains the following:

1. full name, period, due date

2. book title and author

3. role

4. place and time your group met

5. signature of a parent or adult present to vouch for your group (You still need this even if your group met outside of your home, such as the mall, library, or coffee shop.)

Note: You will lose discussion points without this piece.

Clearly label each part, including type of question.

Any hand written work will not be graded.

1. Discussion Facilitator: As the facilitator, you will create discussion questions and  convene the meeting. You will solicit and write down answers to your questions from your group members. You need to have these questions ready for your group at the time of the meeting.

-three (3) questions about what you think are the most important pieces of information you find from the book. These questions include facts, experiences, or character studies.

-three (3) questions on theme (Your group needs to look for at least three (3) themes, not just one.)

-three (3) questions on figurative language used—some examples include metaphor, symbolism, imageries

-three (3) questions on inferences, conclusions, and judgment(s) the author seems to be making in the story

-three (3) questions on key ideas, concepts, motif (recurring image, word, phrase, action, idea, object, or situations), and theme

-two (2) questions on the author’s or main character’s point of view—What is  he/she looking at and how is he/she seeing it?

Role in discussion: Ask these questions and write down clear, accurate answers contributed by your group members. Include names of group members on your sheet. These are to be typed, along with your questions, and handed in upon the due date.

2. Passage Master: Find and copy down at least three (3) important passages, at least 3-4 sentences long, from the story. Do the following for each passage.

i. Paraphrase the passage. Provide page number(s). This is not the same as summarizing. Paraphrasing involves restating each sentence in your own words.

ii. Analyze the passage by discussing its significance in the story. This is the most important part of your role. Make sure that you not only talk about context (such as what was happening in the book in the quotation) but discuss the significance of the passage such as how it contributes to the plot, theme, character development, etc.

Role in discussion: Read each of your selected passages to your group members and discuss them. Take notes on responses from your group members. Hand your typed passages, analyses, and group discussion notes upon the due date.

3. Researcher: Locate 2-4-page articles about the author and one of the following: an interesting place from the story, a topic, an event associated with the book.

            i. Print up the research articles (at least two pages in length). 

ii. From the information, choose ten (10) significant points you learned and summarize them briefly in your own words, using complete sentences, on a separate sheet of paper. Make sure you have a balanced amount of information for each element.

            iii. Cite your sources using MLA style.

Example of MLA online source citation:

Thao, C. “Modern Medicine versus Traditional Healing.” Scholarly Journal 22 July 1996. 21 March 2005. http://www.scholarlyjournal.org/wp-srv/WPlate/199890-008/31/908-066438-dix.html.

Role in discussion: Share this information with your group and elicit the reactions. Take notes on their responses and hand in with all other works typed, with printed articles, upon deadline.

You will be graded on the following:

-thoroughness of your work (40 pts.)

-demonstration of your understanding of the book (25)

-your ability to use your findings to elicit lively discussions (20)

-neatness (15)                                                                                    TOTAL POINTS: 100