October 14, 2008

• A taste of “Merlot” found this for me. I may use it in English 110, English 120, and/or World Literature 240. Here are some goodies from that very link:
  
  “91 WAYS TO RESPOND TO A BOOK…
  
  

  5.WRITE A PARODY OF THE BOOK. This kind of humorous imitation appeals to many students. Parody the entire book or one scene.
  6.WRITE A PROMOTION CAMPAIGN FOR A MOVIE ABOUT THE BOOK. This could include newspaper ad layouts, radio and television commercials, and any special events.
  8.PUT TOGETHER A CAST FOR THE FILM VERSION OF A BOOK. Imagine the director-producer wants a casting director to make recommendations. Decide who would be the actors and actresses. Include photos and descriptions of the stars and tell why each is “perfect” for the part. Write a report to convince the producer of the selections.
  10.MAKE A NEW BOOK JACKET. It should include an attractive picture or cover design, an original summary of the book, information on the author and illustrator, and information about other books by the author.
  15.WRITE AND STAGE A TELEVISION SERIES EPISODE. Think of a popular television series that a book or part of it would fit. Then convert it to that series and give the segment before the class.
  44.DESIGN AND MAKE YOUR OWN T-SHIRT OF AN ILLUSTRATION ABOUT A BOOK. Create a design, using color-fast marking pens.
  52.INVENT WORD GAMES FOR YOUR BOOK. Create crossword puzzles, word games, and acrostics incorporating unfamiliar vocabulary words, characters, and settings.  Distribute to the class.
  58.WRITE OR ACT OUT A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN TWO OF THE CHARACTERS.
  63.DESIGN THE FRONT PAGE OF A NEWSPAPER. Write a short news story describing the major event in your book. Include an attention grabbing headline and teasers for the rest of the paper.
  65.WRITE AN EDITORIAL ON SOME CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE RAISED BY THE BOOK.
  66.DESIGN A COMIC STRIP RETELLING SOME EVENT IN THE STORY. This may be expanded to tell the whole story of the novel as a comic book.
  67.DESIGN A CHILDREN’S STORY RETELLING SOME EVENT IN THE STORY. This may be expanded to tell the whole story of the novel as a children’s book.
  68.DESIGN A TIME LINE FOR THE EVENTS IN THE STORY.
  69.DESIGN A DETAILED MAP OR MAPS FOR THE SETTING(S) OF THE BOOK.
  70.DESIGN A BULLETIN BOARD TO STIMULATE CLASS INTEREST IN THE BOOK.
  74.CREATE AN EYE-CATCHING POSTER. Choose a scene from the book and cast it in a poster which would attract potential readers or buyers to the book.
  76.FUNCTION AS AN EDITOR. Treat the book as a manuscript and rewrite the pages (or chapter) you consider “weak”. What needs to be redone to make the book stronger?
  77.TRADING PLACES. Write a short paper explaining why you would or would not like to change places with one of the characters in the novel.
  78.DESIGN THE ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE BOOK.
  79.WRITE A PERSONAL LETTER TO ONE OF THE CHARACTERS YOU ADMIRE OR DESPISE.
  80.CORRESPOND WITH ANOTHER CHARACTER. Pretend that you are one character in the book. Write a friendly letter to another character.
  81.A CHARACTER IN SEARCH OF A JOB. As if you were a character in the book, compose a resume and cover letter for your character, who is applying for a job suitable for the character and the setting of the novel, Does your character have any references?
  83.BE A MODERN ARTIST. Using various mediums, create a collage that comments on a particular theme or issue in the book.
  84.CREATE A DOSSIER ON A CHARACTER. Pretend that you are a foreign spy sent to report on your chosen character. Compile into a secret file general and specific information regarding your character. Don’t forget the photo.
  85.DESIGN AND PRODUCE A POSTCARD OR A SERIES OF POSTCARDS. On one side draw/paint/reproduce an appropriate photo and on the other side compose a message to me from one of the characters. There will be automatic A’s for the best design, most intriguing message, most distant postmark, and most appropriate postmark (mail it to me from there!).
  86.PUBLISH A YEARBOOK. Create a yearbook – alias annual, alias classbook, alias memory book – based on the people and events in your book. Refer to a real yearbook for ideas on layout and sections.
  87.BE A LITERARY AGENT. Pretend you are a literary agent representing the author of your book. Write to Harry Decision, editor of young adult fiction at Bantam Books, explaining why you feel he should publish your author’s book.
  88.COMPILE A SCRAPBOOK OR A MEMORY BOX. Choose one of the major characters in your book, and, as that person, put together a scrapbook or memory box of special memories and mementoes. Be true to your character.
  89.DESIGN A TRAVEL BROCHURE. Illustrate and advertise the “world” of your novel.
  90.THE FORTUNE COOKIE REVIEW. Explain why their messages, given to each of the novel’s characters, are amazingly appropriate.”

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