Othello Project Expectations

Othello FINAL PROJECT

(50 points)

 

Since I couldn’t decide on just one, I am giving you NINE choices.  I am only requiring you to choose ONE, therefore I expect all projects to show that an abundant amount of effort was put forth.  You have approximately one class period and just over one week of personal time to complete this assignment. 

 

ü I will not accept electronic submissions.  All final projects must be turned in by hand.

 

 

Due Date: Friday, March 6th, 2015

 

 

1) Rewrite a scene from Othello into modern language. Explain the setting,

the characters and the stage directions for your scene. (60 line minimum)

 

2) Choose any scene/ set of lines in the play. Let them be the inspiration for your

own writing: a poem/ a diary entry, a monologue, a short story.  In addition to your creative writing, you must write at least one full page (typed) explaining why the scene inspired you.

 

3) Graphic Novel- Create a graphic novel for Othello. Choose the most important scenes—in your view—and tell the story of Othello. The quality of your project will be determined by the following: the extent to which your graphic novel includes the entire story of the play, the quality/effort put into the artwork, and the inclusion of an introduction in which you explain what you tried to capture in your recreation of the play (e.g. “I wanted to emphasize Othello’s and Desdemona’s social positions . . ..”) Requirements: graphic representation of the play, introduction with explanation. Words should accompany the graphics. Must include at least 5 drawings with captions and an illustrated cover.  You may choose black and white or color.

 

4) Artistic Interpretation- Choose a few lines from the play that are meaningful

to you. Draw or paint a picture that conveys the meaning of those lines (also consider other art mediums, like collage). Type a one page written explanation of your artwork.  Your artwork must be at least the size of a half sheet of poster board (although I would prefer it to take up an entire piece of poster board) and your written explanation must be included on a separate sheet of paper (typed).

 

5) Character Scrapbook- Create a scrapbook with a page for 5 different

characters. The page should be a representation of the character and what they

value. You may add pictures of what you think the character should look like.

 

6) The Mixed CD - Make a ten song mixed tape or CD for Othello and/or Desdemona if they were around today. In a typed letter to Othello and/or Desdemona, explain why you are including each of the ten songs on the mixed CD. Each song should have a one paragraph in-depth description as to why you think he/she/they would like it, using evidence from the themes, symbols, motifs, and situations that the play explored. Requirements: 10 songs (artist/song titles) on CD, at least one paragraph explanation for each, lyrics of all songs included in final project, creative cover for mixed CD. You must include one line from the play, linking your artistic choice with your explanation, in each of your paragraphs.

 

7) Ten Years Later - Write a piece of short fiction in which you return to Venice, Italy ten years after the play ends. Try, as best you can, to replicate the unique voices and personalities of the characters. You may set it in play format and use Shakespearean style language and diction or you may chose to write it in a more modern format. Include the relevant secondary characters. Requirements: Four page story minimum, typed.

 

8) Othello’s and/or Desdemona’s Scrapbook - Compile a scrapbook of memorabilia that Othello or Desdemona might have collected or come across during the play.  Every artifact must be captioned with where he or she got it, its significance to her/him, and the Act/Scene and lines you found it on. Think of the images that keep recurring in the novel, the places they go, and anything she/he might collect (it could be something from a secondary character). This project will be assessed based on the amount of memorabilia collected and its presentation. As a benchmark, expect to get at least ten pieces of memorabilia for your scrapbook. You should include things from at least two other characters besides the protagonists. Requirements: Scrapbook (presented as you see fit), 1-2 paragraphs on each item in scrapbook with explanation of each.  

 

9) Rewrite the Ending - If you did not care for the way Othello ended; here is your opportunity to change it. Rewrite a new ending to the play. Be sure to write in the style of the author (that’s Shakespearean language, people!). Do not explain how the ending should be changed. Write as if you were writing the story. On a separate page describe the original ending and the changes you made and then explain why you made these changes. Requirements: A 3-4 page typed paper that begins at a certain point near the end of the play. You must also include a short explanation of your changes (on a separate sheet).

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL PROJECT RUBRIC

 

 CATEGORY

5

3

2

1

Content

Covers topic in-depth with details and examples. Knowledge of the text is excellent.

Includes essential knowledge about the topic. Knowledge of the text appears to be good.

Includes essential information about the topic but there are 1-2 factual errors.

Content is minimal OR there are several factual errors.

Originality

Project shows a large amount of original thought. Ideas are creative and inventive.

Project shows some original thought. Work shows new ideas and insights.

Uses other people's ideas (giving them credit), but there is little evidence of original thinking.

Uses other people's ideas, but does not give them credit.

Following

Directions

 Student chose a project, completing all necessary requirements.

 

 

Student did not follow directions.

Attractiveness

Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the project.

Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to project.

Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the project

Unattractive.

Effort

Final project shows students put a lot of time and effort into the assignment.

Final project shows some effort was put forth.

Final project shows minimal effort.

Little to no effort is apparent.

Mechanics

No misspellings or grammatical errors.

Three or fewer misspellings and/or mechanical errors.

Four misspellings and/or grammatical errors.

More than 4 errors in spelling or grammar.