Hiroshima Portfolio
Book Report
Abstract:
John Hershey wrote the book, Hiroshima, from a journalistic point of view. Masuji Ibuse wrote the book, Black Rain, from a humanistic point of view. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes was also written from a humanistic point of view. Each of these novels have elements of literature that are universal. The purpose of this assignment is for you, the student, to demonstrate mastery and comprehension of literary elements.
Instructions:
1. Read one of the novels listed above (Sadako and…. is for E.S.L. students only) and answer the following questions of literary elements. If you would like to read another novel related to Hiroshima please consult with your teacher.
2. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper (may be hand written/computer generated – 1.5 spacing)
3. Each page should include at the top of the page the following in the order given:
4. Your answers should be informative, detailed and accurate (make sure you answer all aspects of each question)
5. Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation are expected.
Due Date: ______________________
The Assignment:
1. Setting: Describe the time and place in which your novel is set. Be sure to comment on the significance, or importance of the setting
2. Conflict: A struggle between two opposing forces or characters is a short story, novel, play, or historical account. Conflict can be external, and it can take one of these forms: (1) person against person; (2) a person against society; (3) person against nature; (4) person against him/herself, ideas, beliefs, etc. Note that there can be more than one type of conflict operating in a piece of literature.
3. With one to two complete sentences, identify what you believe to be the conflict(s) in the novel you have chosen. Then support your generalization with a minimum of two examples from the text. Use at least one direct quotation in your answer. Paraphrase the remaining information. Remember to include page numbers after direct quotes and paraphrased information [i.e. (pp. 23)].
4. Theme: The main idea or the basic meaning of a literary work. Theme of a work is not the same thing as its subject. The theme of a piece of writing or other works of art states something about the meaning of life and is expressed in one or two sentences. An example of a thematic statement about the Novel, Animal Farm, might be something like this: "Revolutions often come with the promise of elevated lifestyles for all, but in reality, as those that govern become more entrenched in their new positions as absolute leaders of the masses they become more corrupt and eventually come to resemble those they replaced. So goes the saying: ‘Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely’"
5. Write a one or two sentence statement about what you believe the theme of your novel is.
Evaluation: Write a one to two paragraph evaluation of your novel. Before you actually begin writing, take the time to think about what were the positive, negative, and interesting elements of the novel. Include elements such as your reaction to the tone (attitude author takes toward his/her subject, characters, and readers); to the plot of the story (did the story flow smoothly? or was the story confusing in its telling of the situation of the characters?; Did the work support the theme effectively?)