A) The book tells the story of a very eventful and difficult time in John Rodgers� life. You are to imagine that you are John, and your high-school English teacher, who is aware of everything that has recently taken place in your life, has asked you to write a descriptive essay about some important lessons you have learned in the past year. You should have in mind about 2 or 3 major lessons which you have learned, and in your essay, you should explain clearly not only what you learned, but specifically how you learned it. (3.5 pages minimum)
OR
B) You are to imagine you are John, and you have decided to write a letter to your father, explaining your struggles, your convictions(beliefs), goals, and emotions. Remember, John never really communicated much with his father, so this letter is a chance for him to open up and tell him what he feels. It is also a chance for John to be honest about some of his past feelings towards his father and explain them. (4 pages min.)
Pick A or B
A) For several characters in Beyond the Burning Time, standing up for justice becomes a dangerous undertaking, as it means putting their own lives in jeopardy. Write an essay in which you describe the situation these characters are in (give specifics), AND make an argument concerning what their responsibility is considering their circumstances. Then, discuss what the book may have to teach us about standing up for justice in our world today (4 pages minimum).
B) Imagine that you are both the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney in the trial of one or more of the �witches� (you may decide which one(s)). Write the closing statement which you would deliver to the jury. Be sure to include details from the book, and to speak in a way which would be appropriate for a person of that time period. Your arguments should be clear, thoughtful, and persuasive. (2.5 pages for prosecuting attorney, 2.5 pages for defense attorney=5 pages minimum total)
1) Carefully review Sean Parker�s �Hero� essay, and write an essay on how Sean�s environment has affected his view of heroism. You will need to give examples from the book (2.5 pages). Then, as an addition to your essay, write an opinion piece in which you present your view of what Sean has to say about heroes (1.5 pages). Entire assignment=4 pages minimum total
OR
2) You are Sean�s English teacher receiving his Hero essay (keep in mind the role his English teacher plays in the book). You are to write content-related comments on his essay (you will have to scan or photocopy and enlarge his essay), and then you are to write a letter to Sean in the hospital discussing his essay in the context of the events of his life. You should make sure in your letter to make references to events in the book (4.5 pages minimum total)
Armageddon Summer writing assignment
1) In her email to Jed, Marina writes: �What�s not a joke is this tricky question of belief. Once upon a time it was really easy. I knew what I believed in. Now I no longer have any such easy answers.� (p.261) You are to write an exploratory essay in which you discuss the �tricky question of belief�. How do we know whether or not to believe something, how do we decide whether or not to believe something, and what can we learn about belief from Marina and Jed�s experiences? You should make sure when you answer the last question that you refer to key passages/events in the book (4 pages minimum).
OR
2) You can address the same questions in the style of email correspondence between Jed and Marina BUT the emails must focus on this issue and must dig deep looking for answers (5 pages minimum).
Choose A or B
A) After completing the book, watch the movie Anne Frank Remembered . Then, consider how the movie adds to your understanding / perceptions of the diary itself. Write an essay which focuses on three major ways in which the movie transformed your thoughts/feelings about the diary. You will also need to take notes during the movie, which you will turn in with your assignment. Your essay should be 4 pages minimum.
B) As you read the book, keep your own �diary� in which you respond to significant portions of the diary. As you read you should keep a piece of paper in front of you so you can write down the thoughts or feelings which come to you as you are reading specific parts of the diary. You will need to pause at times and reflect in order to write certain diary entries. Then, when you have finished the book and your diary is completed, select what you think are your best entries to be turned in (5 pages minimum)