Alas Babylon

By Pat Frank

Gifted Sophomore English

Mrs. Garber

Fall 2002

Deadline: Monday, December 2

Requirements:

1. Questions for Socratic Seminar

Bring in 10 questions on the novel to use in a two-day Socratic Seminar. Be sure to write QUALITY questions (see handout) and be prepared to give QUALITY responses. Consider: plot, tone, irony, figurative language, character development, conflicts, theme, point-of-view, symbolism, etc.

Grading Criteria: Written questions prepared as homework: 20 points

(2 per question)

Inner Circle Discussion: 21 points

(7 points per quality response, minimum of three)

Outer Circle Responsibilities: 15 points

Total: 56 points

2. Creative Project: Select one of the following options: (30 points)

A. Make a poster to advertise your story.

B. Make a model or map of a key place in the story.

C. Make a timeline to show the main events in the story. You should illustrate the time line.

D. Draw or paint an important scene from the book.

E. Make a collage about the physical and personality traits of the main character.

F. Write a new ending for the book or write another chapter (epilogue) for the book.

G. Write a letter from one character to another.

H. Imagine that the book has been turned into a movie. You are to design the soundtrack. Pick five songs to match the story, and include the songwriter, artist, a full copy of the lyrics, and a paragraph describing how each song relates to the story.

3. Plot Summary: Select one of the following options: (20 points)

A. “Knowing your ABC’s”: review the plot, characters, and other details about your novel by writing a poem using the letters of the alphabet to begin each new line.

Example from The Scarlet Letter:

A is for the letter Hester is forced to wear and for adultery, the crime of which she is accused.

B is for the Black Man who haunts the forest.

C is for ….

B. Write a newspaper article about the events in your story. For example, you might write a sports article about the dogsled race in Woodsong. Be sure to include enough details from the book that someone who did not read it can understand the basic plot line.