Metaphor/Simile/Symbol Project Modern Lit: The Bluest Eye Overview: You will begin by creating a metaphor, simile, or symbol to represent your view of one of the

characters. Since this should be a more complex metaphor/simile/symbol, you will next choose 6-10 sub-

symbols, parts of the overall metaphor, simile, or symbol. Each of these sub-symbols should be relevant and relate to specific events in the novel.

Next, you will create a poster or 3D model of your metaphor/simile/symbol. Each sub-symbol should be labeled. Labels should correlate to a key of well-written explanations.

The written explanations should address what the sub-symbol is, what it represents, and how it is symbolic. This should be analytical and creative!

The written explanations should be grammatically perfect and in complete sentences. Example: My Uncle Greg was like a baseball game… It’s a good idea to sort out your ideas in a chart first. This way you can ensure you have enough to work with and that you are picking the best sub-symbols. Baseball Game My Uncle Greg Pitcher checks for base stealers Protective of his family Batters have a variety of batting averages Had great times where he was the model

citizen; also make mistakes Both dedicated and fair-weather fans Our family was often split as to supporting him

when he made mistakes and when he was sick Coach who give signals to the players Inside jokes, mood swings Pinch hitters Often helped out when needed Tickets are cheap Never made anyone feel guilty, welcomed

everyone into his home Sometimes a game can go into extra innings He could tell quite the tale and often kept

guests entertained to the wee hours of the morning with his stories and antics

Spirit of baseball is ingrained in America’s culture

Died of Hodgkin’s Disease about 15 years ago, but his spirit lives on in our family

Teams strive to make it to the World Series He never settled for “okay.” Set very high standards for himself.

1. My Uncle Greg was like a baseball game because…a baseball game has a pitcher who checks for base-stealers, constantly checking before the pitch, ready to throw them out if necessary. My uncle was always protective of me and his children, making sure to check out our friends. While talking to his daughter’s boyfriend one time, he noticed a “pot” smell. He literally threw him out of the house. My uncle also went to the principal when he thought a teacher was being unfair to his son. 2. My Uncle Greg was like a baseball game because…the baseball players have a wide range of batting averages, depending how well they have been hitting. Sometimes they strike out; sometimes they hit the grand slam. My uncle went through some very troubled times in his life. He was once

arrested for trying to outrun the cops while on his motorcycle; he had just been diagnosed with cancer, had gone drinking, and didn’t want to get caught. My dad had to bail him out. On the other side, after undergoing a round of chemotherapy treatments, he ended up masking his sickness and hosting a huge Halloween party for his kids because my aunt had the flu and couldn’t help out. 3. My uncle was like a baseball game because…the stadium holds two types of baseball fans. The dedicated fans go to games even when their team is losing. Fair-weather fans only stick by their team when they are winning and curse them when they are losing. The swings in my uncles “batting average” brought out a division in our family. Some relatives lived it up at my uncle’s holiday parties but gossiped and complained about my uncle during the times he made errors in judgment and even refused to visit him in the hospital during the last months of his life. Other relatives stood by his side, not approving of his mistakes, but trying to be there for him like he had been there for us. Sadly, only a handful of us “dedicated fans” visited him in the hospital. Ironically, his funeral was very well attended, in part because he had insisted on his funeral being a party, live band included. 4. Etc…. Reasonable Best Effort Requirements:

Must turn in a poster or 3D project Project must be accompanied by written explanation/analysis Project must be neatly completed Explanations typed and double spaced Rubric is submitted Name & hour is written on BACK

Name ______________________ Grading:

_____/ 70 points

Mastering Developing Emerging Content

10: Presents an overall metaphor, simile, or symbol that is creative, original, and complex; breaks down metaphor into 6-10 creative, original sub-symbols to represent each of the themes.

7.5: Presents an interesting comparison, but needs to extend creativity or complexity; identifies 6-10 characteristics (not actual symbols); needs to represent each theme more carefully or extend creativity.

6-0: Needs to identify an interesting, original comparison; identifies fewer than 6 sub-symbols or characteristics; comparisons are superficial or cliché.

10: Connects each sub symbol to character by using specific quotes with page references

7.5: Connects each sub symbol to character by using general references to events in the novel or forgets page references

6-0: Does not reference novel or does so inconsistently.

20: Demonstrates analysis and synthesis by thoughtful explaining relevancy of sub-symbols

15: Demonstrates relevancy of sub-symbols but needs to analyze and synthesize specific examples more carefully.

12-0: Needs to explain relevancy of sub-symbols more carefully.

Appearance 10: Creates a colorful, neat, poster or 3D representation of metaphor, simile, or symbol with all appropriate parts clearly labeled.

7.5: Presents a mostly neat, somewhat colorful poster or 3D representation of comparison. May be missing one part; needs to label some parts more carefully and clearly.

6-0: Needs to take pride in work; needs to label sections effectively.

10: Implements grammatically and mechanically perfect writing or labeling.

7.5: Needs to proofread work, as two or three grammatical or mechanical errors are present.

6-0: Needs to proofread work, as 6 or more errors are present.