Tamara ScholtzEnglish I & Pre-AP

Grading:   Grades will be holistic (on a four point scale)  however, grading will be based on the following:

v     Understanding of the play

v     Grammar and mechanics

v     Creativity

v     Aesthetic appeal

You may choose of the following assignments for an additional test grade:

Many of the projects require some form of documentation.  To refer to act, line, and scene number, document as follows (Act.Scene.line(s))   Example :  Juliet expresses her feelings about Romeo in a soliloquy (2.2.33-49). 

The above example would be read as act two, scene 2, lines 33-49.

Novel Treatment: Adapt an act  (including all scenes) from Romeo and Juliet.   Turn it into a short story/novel as opposed to a play.  This will require exposition, description, dialogue, etc.  You may modernize the story; however, the theme and mood must remain consistent with the play.  I cannot give you an exact number of pages; however, a novel of most of the acts would probably be 5-10 pages long.

Graphic Novel: Shakespeare’s tragedies cry out to be seen.   Create your own comic book/graphic novel  to illustrate the story of Romeo and Juliet.  Illustrate the characters and locations and provide appropriate text, including dialogue in balloons.  Be sure to tell the story of your selection in its ENTIRETY. 

Diorama:  Recreate a scene from Romeo and Juliet in diorama form.   Costuming and setting are very important in this recreation.  It should be no smaller than a shoe box. In paragraph form, write a paper explaining the scene in your diorama.  Be sure to cite specific quotes/stage directions that caused you to construct the scene the way you did.  (Ex I constructed the balcony scene with Romeo on the ground looking up at Juliet's window  "But soft!  What light through yonder window breaks/It is the east, and Juliet is the sun  (2.2.1-2).  I placed several orange trees and made very high walls because Juliet says, "The orchard walls are high and hard to climb" (2.2.63).)

**The first number is Act, followed by line, followed by scene

Powerpoint/Movie Maker:  Choose this one ONLY if you are VERY technologically savvy—“thrown together” power points will not result in good grades.  You should include pictures, graphics, music, etc.  Illustrate each of the following literary terms: monologue, soliloquy, aside, foreshadowing, round character, flat character, foil,pun, comic relief, blank verse, sonnet, tragic flaw, simile, metaphor, personification, stage direction. Define the term and show an example of its use in the play.   Indicate how it contributed to the play overall (why would Shakespeare have chosen to use this literary element?  how does the characters development contribute to the play, etc.?)

Soundtrack:  Create a CD to accompany Romeo and Juliet with modern day songs.  You do not actually have to burn the CD; however, you must create a cover.  The "liner notes" must include a song for AT LEAST 20 scenes in R and J.  Be sure to write WHY the song is appropriate for the scene for each song.  In addition, write your own song lyrics for a song that exemplifies a theme in R and j

Mosaic:  Click here for detailed instructions You will create a 10 space mosaic which shows your understanding of the play.

If you choose one of the projects which requires artistic ability, your ability WILL BE GRADED as part of your project grade.  Internet pictures/magazine pictures, etc. are acceptable as well.

If you research for your project, you must include a works consulted with your project.  (See my website for details.)