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Handout

Portrait of an AP Lit Student

One of the most remarkable benefits of studying literature is that we constantly take the opportunity to think, evaluate, judge, and self-reflect. Sometimes literature is cathartic; sometimes we want to trade places with a character, other times we just want to escape for a little while. They become part of our lives for a few days, weeks, months, or even years. And then there are those characters who all know too well; they don't exactly look like or talk like you, but they're staring you in the face as you gaze into that reflection on the page. Literature reminds you to peer into our souls when nobody is watching.

  • Select six to seven major characters we've studied from the various novels, plays, short stories, and poems we read for this academic year.
    • At least two must be from novels, two from short stories, at least one from a play, and one from a poem.

Visual (3-4 Minutes)

  • Then, create a portrait scene with yourself and those characters. You may draw, paint, or create an interesting but tasteful collage representation. These can be done digitally as well, but printed color copies must be available for me. The scene may be from a favorite work favorite part of your life or your life to become.
  • Do your best to stay as close as possible to the original persona and image of the characters.
  • You should include brief quotes or scenes that reflect you or your defining moment that's reflected in your portrait.
  • You will then give a brief presentation of your Portrait to the class and receive questions from your classmates. Be sure to provide an in-depth examination of the characters and yourself and the resulting interpretation.

Proposal (1-1.5 Pages)

You must submit me to me no later than Tuesday, May 7th. Your proposal should include the following

  • List of characters and the novels, short stories, and poems that they come from.
  • A brief-1-2 sentence explanation about why you chose that character.
  • An MLA citation for that specific story.

Written Reflection (3-4 Pages)

  • Characterization: Detailed reflection about each character choice and the reasons why you selected them. What is it about these characters that connect with you?
  • Setting: Detailed description of your scene. Does this scene come from a specific literary work or a scene in your own life? Provide the details, dialogue, or other significant information about the scene. Consider additional elements of setting: weather, timing, how it might contrast or illustrate emotions, etc.
  • Plot Structure & Point of View: How does your portrait reflect the significance of narration and plot structure elements, including tension, flashbacks, stream of consciousness or additional perspectives, etc.?
  • Themes: What are the significant themes that you see in your characters' lives and how do they relate to the themes in your own life and the scene that you create/select?
  • Literary/Narrative Techniques: What other literary techniques/strategies would you use to tell the story of your scene? How would these add additional meaning to your scene and connect to selected characters? Be specific and explain.
  • Literature Reflection: In a thoughtful response, minimum one page, answer the following question: Why is reading literature-novels, plays, short stories, and poems-important?

Due Date

All Projects are due in total completion on Friday, May 17th, Presentations will begin on Friday, May 17th and will continue Monday, May 20th, and conclude on Friday, May 24th,

Rubric

Criteria Excellent (21-25 points) Good (15-20 points) Satisfactory (10-14 points) Needs Improvement (1-9 points)
Visual Representation (35 points) The visual portrait is creatively and thoughtfully composed, showing a deep understanding of the characters and their significance. It closely adheres to the students' explanations and visually integrates quotes or scenes effectively. The portrait is well-composed and demonstrates a good understanding of the characters, with minor deviations from the proposed explanation or less effective integration of quotes. The portrait meets basic requirements but tacks creativity or detailed understanding of the characters. Integration of quotes or scenes is minimal or somewhat irrelevant. The portrait is incomplete, shows little effort, or fails to effectively represent the chosen characters and scenes.
Proposal Clarity and Justification (15 points) The proposal is clear and concise, providing insightful explanations for character choices with well-cited sources. The proposal adequately explains character choices with appropriate citations, though explanations or citations may lack depth. The proposal provides basic explanations for character choices but lacks depth or has minimal citation errors. The proposal is unclear, lacks justification for character choices, or contains significant citation errors.
Written Reflection (45 points) The reflection is detailed and insightful, thoroughly discussing characterization, setting, plot structure, themes, and literary techniques. Demonstrates a deep personal connection to literature. The reflection covers all required elements with good detail and understanding, showing a personal connection to the Literature. The reflection addresses all elements but lacks depth or critical analysis, showing a basic connection to the literature. The reflection is incomplete, superficial, or fails to connect personal experiences with literary analysis.
Presentation and Explanation (30 points) Presentation is engaging, clear, and well-organized. The student effectively explains their choices and responds confidently to questions. Presentation is clear and organized, with a good explanation of choices. Responses to questions are adequate but may lack depth. Presentation is somewhat clear but poorly organized or explained. Responses to questions are tentative or superficial. Presentation is unclear or disorganized with poor explanations and weak responses to questions.
Adherence to Project Guidelines (25 points) Fully adheres to all project guidelines, including deadlines, format, and content requirements. Generally adheres to guidelines with minor deviations. Adheres to most guidelines but overlooks or incorrectly implements some aspects. Fails to adhere to multiple key aspects of the guidelines.

Past Texts

Short Stories

  • First Day
  • Everyday Use
  • Miss Brill
  • Araby
  • A Family Supper
  • Hills Like White Elephants
  • Blind Date
  • Babylon Revisited
  • The Jilting of Granny Weatherall
  • Young Goodman Browne
  • The Minister's Black Veil There Will Come Soft Rains
  • Fall of the House of Usher Orientation
  • Cannibalism in the Cars
  • A Rose for Emily
  • Life After High School
  • The Scarf
  • Sonny's Blues

Poems

  • Labor Day
  • Red Wheelbarrow
  • Suicide's Note
  • Digging
  • Solitude
  • A Noiseless Spider
  • Promises Like Pie Crust
  • My Yellow Coat
  • My Heart and I
  • Harlem
  • Metaphors
  • Divorce
  • I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed
  • Happiness
  • Running into a New Year
  • To an Athlete Dying Young
  • The Flea
  • Bright Star
  • Children
  • The Road Not Taken
  • To the Virgins Make Much Time
  • Redemption
  • Barbie Doll
  • Midterm Break
  • Inner City
  • Eurydice
  • In Just
  • Journey of the Magi
  • East of the Jordan
  • Genesis
  • Loveliest of Trees
  • Stoppying by Woods on a Snowy Evening
  • The Colonel
  • The Night When Joy Began
  • The Waking
  • Music Lessons
  • Eight O'Clock
  • White City
  • Villanelle for an Anniversary
  • History Lessons
  • Church Going
  • The Peace of Wild Things
  • Weighing the Dog

Plays

  • Pygmalion
  • The Glass Menagerie
  • Riders on the Sea
  • Trifles
  • Poof!

Novels

  • Frankenstein
  • The Kite Runner
  • Never Let Me Go