Extra Credit

I promised those of you who are doing poorly in the class that you will have an extra credit assignment. The assignment will revolve around "The House on Mango Street" and is due no later than Friday, October 30th. You may choose from one of the following seven options:

* Collage: Make a collage illustrating the theme, mood, or setting of the book. You can use almost anything in a collage to get the effect you want. Clippings from magazines, books and other paper images, stamps, paint, small objects of any type may be used, as long as they will adhere to your backing or paper. Cloth, string, leaves, and shells all can be used as well. The collage should include at least 15 different items. On the back explain in one paragraph (5-7 sentences) or more what theme, mood, or setting you are representing and how the items are relevant.

* PowerPoint: Create a PowerPoint presentation that promotes your book to other readers. Include at least 10 – 15 slides with at least 1 image/graphic per slide. The PowerPoint slide show should use text, color, graphics, and animation. Your PowerPoint needs to have depth. It should explain the plot, setting, main characters, symbolism, historical context, and the main themes. The final slide should be your opinion of the novel. The PPT Presentation should be at least 10 -15 slides text, color, graphics, and animation. Each slide should represent a different element of the novel. (characters, setting, plot, climax, denouement, protagonist, antagonist, symbolism, themes, etc.) The presentation itself should persuade others to read the novel. Be sure to cite every source on the Internet from which you take information—text, pictures, video, clip art, backgrounds, and so forth. Print a copy and create a disk/CD for your teacher.

* Characterization Poster of a Major Character: Create visually appealing poster that reflects your impression of a major character. Draw, paint, cut out or copy and paste a large, vivid picture that represents how you visualize a major character in the novel. On the back explain in one paragraph (5-7 sentences) what you are representing and how it is relevant in your poster. Written portions must be typed.

* Character Analysis: A successful character analysis demands that one infers abstract traits and values from literal details contained in a text. Write a five-paragraph essay analyzing the main character of your novel. Using evidence from the text to support your conclusions, describe at least three significant personality traits of the character. For each trait you discuss, you must include at least three supporting examples/details from the story. Explore the physical and personality traits of different characters and the way their actions affect the plot of the book. Some suggestions:

• Explore the way a character dresses and what impression that leaves with the reader.
• What positive characteristics does the character possess?

• Does the character have a “fatal flaw” that gets him/her into trouble frequently?
• Use examples of dialogue and analyze the way a character speaks. Discuss the words he/she chooses and the way his/her words affect other characters.
• Finally, tie all of your observations together by explaining the way the characters make the plot move forward.


* Compile a Scrapbook or 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.
Letters, photographs, postcards and souvenirs are all good items for the memory box and can be easily created! Think about whom your character is close to and what he/she does for fun.
Remember, this should represent your chosen character! Draw, create, collect, or find at least six souvenirs that the main character would have put into the scrapbook or collect in a memory box.
These objects should reflect events in the story or important aspects of your character. Include an explanation next to each object describing its significance. Be true to your character.


* Design a Travel Brochure: Design a travel brochure for the destination of the book’s setting. Clearly tie the destination to your book. Illustrate and advertise the setting of your novel. Use words and pictures to convince your readers that this setting is an exciting (interesting, educational, relaxing, scenic, historical, etc.) place to visit. Your brochure must include facts about the destination, reasons for visiting, possible attractions, events or sights to see. It must include text and graphics.


* Character Diary: Select a character who appealed to you. Write a diary with at least one week’s worth of entries that this person might have kept. Be sure it relates to the events in the book.

• A diary entry should be in first person from the selected character’s point of view.
• The entry should include a summary of what happened in the chapter OR elaborate on a major scene.
• The diary entry should include a personal statement from the character’s imagined point of view.