Name: Grade: Gifted Middle School 8 th Grade Summer Reading Ender s Game by Orson Scott Card This summer you will read the novel, Ender s Game. In this science-fiction story, mankind is preparing for an anticipated third invasion of an alien species. The International Fleet turns to Earth s brightest children to train as commanders of its space fleet. Ender has been bred to meet the intellectual and complex personality profile of the commander they are hoping will be able to save mankind. He is sent to Battle School which is located on a ship far from earth. In a few short years, Ender learns about friendship, honor, duty, betrayal, leadership, war, and the interconnections of truth and lies. Meanwhile, the governments on earth are in turmoil. Ender s genius brother and sister, who have the intelligence but not the personality traits to be successful commanders, use the information network to disguise who they are and their ages in order to exert influence and gain power in the world political scene. Key Questions: How does an author reveal characters? What do character traits help us to understand about the character as a whole? How do symbols and motifs guide you to a deeper understanding of a novel? In order to successfully complete this assignment you must: 1. Preview this packet to help focus your reading and use your time well. 2. Read the novel with the questions and packet tasks in mind. 3. Complete this packet NEATLY, carefully, and thoughtfully. 4. Bring the completed packet and book to class on the FIRST DAY of school. Important terms to understand before reading the novel and working on this packet. Character trait A distinguishing personality quality or inherent value that someone has which is unlikely to change. This trait serves to identify this person. Symbol Symbolism is using an object, image, idea, sound, etc in a way that means something more than its literal meaning. A symbol is a literary device that contains several layers of meaning, often concealed at first sight, and is representative of several other aspects, concepts or traits than those that are visible in the literal translation alone. Symbols clarify and deepen the understanding of an idea, image, or concept. Symbols do shift their meanings depending on the context in which they are used. A chain, for example, may stand for union as well as imprisonment. Thus, the symbolic meaning of an object or an action is understood by when, where, and how it is used. Motif A recurring symbol, image, sound, or action that helps explain a central idea or theme of literary work. Theme The theme in a story is its underlying message, or big idea. In other words, what critical belief about life is the author trying to convey in the writing of a novel, play, short story or poem? This belief, or idea, transcends cultural barriers. It is usually universal in nature. When a theme is universal, it touches on the human experience; it is what the story means. Often a piece of writing will have more than one major theme.
Activity #1: Character Development: Throughout the novel, Card slowly reveals his characters to us. Consider Ender and two other characters of your choice and explain two character traits that Card uses to identify each character. Find evidence from the text that supports your choices. Examples of character traits. There are many more than these. Do not limit yourself to this list. Adaptable Caring Confident Competitive Curious Fair Humble Responsible Loyal Honest Disciplined Punctual Determined Cruel Decisive Obedient Thrifty Wise Ruthless Flexible Proud Compassionate Courageous Timid Persistent Insecure Patient Character Ender List at least 8 character traits that you think represent this character. Choose two traits that are the strongest in identifying the character: 1. 2. Use these 2 traits to complete the chart below. Character Trait Evidence (Quote) from text. page Explanation of why that quote Frame all quotes demonstrates the identified trait. Create a SYMBOL (and color it) that represents the complexity of this character. (Avoid clichés such as a heart for loving. )
Character: List at least 8 character traits that you think represent this character. Choose two traits that are the strongest in identifying the character: 1. 2. Use these 2 traits to complete the chart below. Character Trait Evidence (Quote) from text. page Explanation of why that quote Frame all quotes demonstrates the identified trait. Create a SYMBOL (and color it) that represents the complexity of this character. (Avoid clichés such as a heart for loving. )
Character: List at least 8 character traits that you think represent this character. Choose two traits that are the strongest in identifying the character: 1. 2. Use these 2 traits to complete the chart below. Character Trait Evidence (Quote) from text. page Explanation of why that quote Frame all quotes demonstrates the identified trait. Create a SYMBOL (and color it) that represents the complexity of this character. (Avoid clichés such as a heart for loving. )
Activity #2 Motif: Truth and Lies Throughout the book, Ender and others are told both truth and lies. What is the impact of these truths and lies? What does the receiver learn from both the truths and the lies? Are there statements that are half-truths and half-lies? The author uses truths and lies as a motif. What central idea does the author want you to understand from this motif? Looking throughout the novel, find 12 examples of significant truths and lies that are told, and determine what is learned from them. Although you do not need to use evidence from every chapter in the novel, you should have examples from chapters at the beginning, middle and end of the novel. Cite the chapter and page for each (chapter: page). The Truth Hurts Examining the motif of truth vs lies in Ender s Game. TRUTH OR LIE TOLD (Frame the quote.) Interpretation/Why is it told? Lesson(s) Learned EXAMPLE: The monitor lady tells Ender that Ender recognizes this as a lie and Because Ender has experienced that removing the monitor won t hurt a bit (1:2). interprets this to mean that it will, in fact, hurt a great deal. adults claim something won t hurt when it will, understanding that lie can help him to predict the future and to know to expect the opposite of what is said. 1 2 3 4 5
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Activity #3 On a separate piece of paper, write a paragraph that explains one theme from the novel that the author wants you to understand about truth and lies. (Theme=lesson, moral, message see first page of packet.) This should be one of the major themes of the book. Pull descriptive words and key phrases from the novel as evidence to support your judgement. Make sure you use quotation marks and MLA page citation for any words that you take from the novel. Make sure your paragraph is clear and convincing. This task evaluates your ability to write a well-organized paragraph with a clear topic sentence presenting the claim (thesis). Keep a single focus. You must determine the best evidence to support your claim, then clearly, concisely, yet thoroughly explain why/how the evidence supports your claim. Your paragraph needs: Topic sentence including the claim (thesis) stating the theme from Ender s Game that the author wants you to understand about truth and lies. (Keep a single focus. Avoid using and in this claim.) Concrete Details: 3 or 4 direct quotes from the text that prove the theme exists Analysis: Explain how each quote reflects truth and lies Analysis: Explain how these truth and lies develop the theme A concluding sentence explaining how this message can be relevant to the bigger world Word process. Double Space. Staple to the back of the packet. Activity #4 Look back at the three characters you explored in Activity One. Choose one. Imagine you are that character. Using first person point of view, explain how the character traits mentioned either helped or hindered in your ability to overcome a challenge, learn something important, or succeed in a goal you set for yourself. Describe the feelings and emotions you faced. Establish the voice of your character. This task examines your ability to organize ideas in writing. It evaluates your ability to focus on the ways that established character traits help us to understand a character s motivations and actions. The task also examines your ability to choose precise words to convey an intended voice and tone. Word process. Double Space. Staple to the back of the packet.