I am very excited to have you as my new 8th grade crew. Your summer reading will help

you arrive prepared and ready to jump into discussion on the first day of school. It will also give me an idea of your reading and writing skills, so we can make this a productive and successful year. These assignments will become 5% of your first quarter grade, and will be due the first Friday of school.

1. Read The Graphic Novel A graphic novel is a story told in images and text. For this summer assignment you will be picking which adventure you want to explore. You should pick at least ONE of the following stories below. All versions are available to purchase through Amazon or Barnes & Noble, but are also online using the link in the box.

The Totally Awesome Hulk Volume 1: Cho Time

(Free Here)

By Greg Pak and Frank Cho

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Volume 1: Squirrel Power

($6.99 Here)

By Ryan North

Miles Morales Volume 1: Straight out of Brooklyn

(FREE Here)

By Saladin Amad

Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal

(FREE Here)

By G Willow Wilson

2. Write an Open Response

Identity

★ Individuals define themselves in a variety of ways, including both internal and external characteristics.

★ Identity can develop and change over time.

All of the Marvel comics above deal with identity in some way. Think about the graphic novel you decided to read and answer the following question using specific evidence from the text. How does the protagonist struggle with their identity and how does it help to strengthen their sense of self? Write at least one strong paragraph to answer the prompt. Show me your best academic writing. You will be graded using the attached rubric.

3. Create a Narrative Using the character from your chosen graphic novel, write them another adventure! Your narrative should follow the standard plot pyramid. Please make sure to include a conflict, an antagonist, and similar style to the author of the original story. You can write a minimum of one full page and a maximum of two pages.

NOTE: All responses should be written in the space below in Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double spaced. Responses that don’t follow this formatting will have 5 points deducted from their overall total.

You will be graded using the rubric below. That’s it! Again, please email me if you’re stuck on anything. I check my email weekly and will be happy to give any help I can! I look forward to getting to know you all better very soon. Holistic Writing Scoring Rubric

Score: 1 (Emerging) 2 (Developing) 3 (Proficient) 4 (Exemplary)

Content -Minimal response or -Attempts to focus -General topic -Single focus on a narrow

Ideas Details

Explanation

searching for a topic -Details random, inappropriate, or vague -Explanation is unclear and/or inappropriate to audience and purpose

on a topic (may drift or shift focus) -Lack of detail leaves reader with many unanswered questions -Ideas lack explanation or are repetitious

defined -Details present but not precise (shows some specifics) -Explanation is basic but still appropriate to audience and purpose

and manageable topic (A) -Relevant, accurate details that show insight into the topic (B) -Explanation is clear and appropriate to audience and purpose (C)

Organization Introduction Logical Flow

Pacing Transitions Conclusion

-Lacks an introduction -Writing is disorganized and hard to follow -Pacing not evident (ideas jump around) -No transition words/phrases used -Lacks a conclusion

-Ineffective introduction -Ineffective organization of ideas -Awkward pacing (some parts rushed) -Few, if any, transition words/phrases between ideas -Ineffective conclusion

-Routine introduction -Mostly logical organization -Generally good pace -Inconsistent use of transitional words and phrases -Routine conclusion

-Introduction with an inviting hook (D) -Logical progression of ideas (E) -Masterful pacing (beginning, middle, end) (F) -Strong use of transitional words and phrases (G) -Satisfying conclusion (H)

Voice & Style Audience Interest

Compositional Risks

Meaningful Words Vocabulary Formality

-Minimal concern for audience (lifeless and mechanical) -No attempt at compositional risk -Wording is confusing and detracts from meaning -Vocabulary is limited -No figurative language -Formality is not appropriate for audience

-Formulaic, general statements the reader must interpret -Few attempts at compositional risks -Words are functional and do not create meaningful pictures -Emerging vocabulary use -Formality level needs improvement

-A moment or two of “sparkle” (audience interest) -Experiments with compositional risks with some success -Words begin to create meaningful pictures -Proficient use of vocabulary -Formality level meets requirements

-Compelling and engaging (audience is interested) (I) -Takes effective compositional risks (dialogue, figurative language, literary devices, etc.) (J) -Words create meaningful pictures (sensory detail) (K) -Uses rich vocabulary (L) -Formality level is appropriate for the audience (M)

Conventions Capitalization/

Punctuation Paragraphing

Spelling/ Grammar

Sentence Variety Formatting

-Severe capitalization and punctuation errors. -Lacks good paragraphing -Spelling and grammar errors impede readability (confusing) -Repetitive sentence beginnings/ No “sentence

-Basic general capitalization and punctuation errors -Occasional paragraphing -Spelling and grammar needs improvement

-Generally routine capitalization and punctuation -Consistent paragraphing -Spelling and grammar is functional

-Consistent capitalization and punctuation -Consistent paragraphing -Spelling and grammar adds to clarity and style -Strong and varied sentence structure invites expressive

sense” -Formatting is not appropriate to purpose and task

-Some simple sentences but occasional use of connecting words -Formatting is not appropriate to purpose and task

-Attempts compound and complex sentences (parts invite oral reading) -Formatting is generally appropriate to purpose and task

reading -Formatting is appropriate to purpose and task

Your Name

8ELA

Summer Packet

Open Response

Begin writing your open response regarding identity here. Make sure to indent between new paragraphs.

Write Your Creative Narrative Title Here

Begin writing your narrative here. Make sure to indent when starting a new paragraph.