1. The Great Gatsby Research Notebook
You will include the following items:
Summary of Novel
Literary Element Analysis
Literary Criticism of Novel

2. Summary of Novel 1. Summary of Novel - should cover:
plot events, themes and character descriptions.
Must be a full page of 3-5 paragraphs with well written sentences.

3. Literary Element Analysis
2. Choose 5 of the following elements and define them.
Choose and write a quote from the novel that illustrates the element. Only one quote per chapter (example: if you use chapter 1 for symbolism, you can not use chapter 1 for any other element.)
Explain in your own words how the quote represents the definition of the element.
setting symbolism point of view flashback character allusion conflict theme

4. Literary Criticism of Novel
3. In the library, you will learn about the research material available for the novel.
Read a literary criticism of The Great Gatsby
In 2-3 paragraphs discuss whether you agree or disagree with the critic and use specific quotes from the article and the novel to support your opinions and conclusions.

5. Example Element - Conflict
Definition (from the text book) - Opposition between characters or forces in a work of drama or fiction
Original Quote:
“I took [the letter] up, and held it in my hand. I was a-trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute, sort of holding my breath, and then says to myself: ‘All right, then, I’ll go to hell’ – and tore it up. It was awful thoughts and awful words, but they was said…I would go to work and steal Jim out of slavery again…” (Twain 206).
Explanation:
This quote from the novel shows clearly the internal conflict Huck is having and how he truly believes he is doing something wrong by not telling Miss Watson that he knows where her missing slave is. Huck is maturing and beginning to decide for himself what is moral and ethical and what is not. This internal struggle is between what his heart tells him and what society has taught him. Twain designs an innocent boy deeply conflicted to drive the theme of his novel.

6. Your due date is Wednesday, April 18.
You will have 2-3 days in the library to do your research. You must include a Works Cited which will include your textbook for the literary element definitions and your novel for the quotations, and your critical source for the literary criticism. Each section should be done on a separate page including each of the literary element pages (Your notebook at a minimum will be 7 pages plus the work cited page and a cover sheet). These pages will be placed in order with the title of the page and your name and period in the top right corner. Your notebook must be typed and submitted to turnitin.com. No handwritten essays will be accepted and no essays will be graded that have not been submitted to the website.

7. Use the following questions ONLY TO GUIDE you through each section
Use the following questions ONLY TO GUIDE you through each section! Guiding Questions for Analysis of a Novel
Summary
Who is the protagonist of the story?
What are the conflicts? Are they physical, intellectual, moral, or emotional?
How is suspense created in the story? Is the interest confined to “What happens next?” or is it more complicated?
What is the climax of the story? What change does the climax bring about?

8. Characters
How does the author tell the reader about the characters? Are the characters round?
Are the characters consistent in their actions? What is their motivation?
Is the characterization direct or indirect?
Are any of the characters dynamic (do they change)? If so, is his change a small one or a large one? Does the change contribute to the theme of the story? How?

9. Theme
Does the story have a theme? What is the story about? What is the central idea? Is it inferred or directly stated?
Is the theme a universal one that can be applied to life today?

10. Point of View
What point of view does the story use? First person, third person limited or third person omniscient
What advantages does this point of view give to the telling of the story? Does it furnish any clues as to the purpose of the story?
If the point of view is that of one of the characters, does this character have any limitations that affect his interpretation of events or persons?

11. Symbol
Does the story make use of symbols? If so, do the symbols carry or merely reinforce the meaning of the story?
How does the symbol help contribute to the story’s theme?

12. Setting
What contribution to the story is made by the setting? Is the particular setting essential, or could the story have happened anywhere?

13. Conflict
Are the conflicts internal (within one character) or external (between two characters)?
What do the conflicts add to the development of the plot?