The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Follow the suggestions below to guide you in your work. You are offered a step-by-step guide for each task. At the end of the page, you have a list of links to useful websites. Check the description offered for each link to decide whether it could assist you in your task or not. In all cases, all of you are welcome to check all tasks and all links that might be of interest to you or that might give you a better understanding of the book. Before you start your work, take a look at the EVALUATION page to know what is expected of you. Most of all, check the site on plagiarism listed on the TASK page as pre-reading material.

In preparation for Task One:

1. Read the foreword (pp. 1-3) and and up to chapter 5 in Part 1 before you check the appendix (pp. 223-229) that tells you more about the ship and sailors' lifestyle on the ship. 

2. As you are reading, take note of the various places in the ship mentioned in the book such as: Jaggery's quarters, Charlotte's cabin, mast climbs, bowsprit events, etc.

3. Refer to the sites suggested below or other references to collect pictures and paraphrase ideas to prepare for your slideshow. Remember: plagiarism - copying of resources - affects your grade immensely. Check the EVALUATION page for details.

4. For that reason, make sure you keep a record of where each piece of information is taken from to have an accurate list of resources.

5. Brainstorm for ideas of scenes and dialogue exchanged in case you decide to create a movie. Start collecting props - objects used by actors to convey the setting - and think of relevant music and/or narration.

In short, each of you is expected to submit upon entrance the following on a CD: 

* to have at least 3 pictures ready; give each picture a name
* to paraphrase 3 different pieces of information on the relevant topics indicated in the task
* to have a suggestion for a scene along with details to stage it (clothes, props, music, text, etc.)

Both the pictures and the information should be listed with the specific sites / other references they are taken from. Use the Word Document sheet "Individual Preparation for Task One" attached below to record your work.

In preparation for Task Two:

1. Download the sheet entitled "Individual Preparation for Task Two" attached below. As you are reading, use a draft of this sheet to record the events, people, and conflicts that you find important. Remember that your notes should focus on the events, experiences, and encounters that affect Charlotte the most. As you are going to assume her personality for this task, you also need to record your thoughts and feelings as Charlotte during these major events.

2. Pause from time to time to check your notes and see if you need to elaborate more or cross out unnecessary details.

3. Choose the event that appeals to you the most or that you identify with more than others, and structure you notes on it in the form of a journal entry using the first-person point of view as suggested in the TASK page.

4. Though most of the preparation for your task is focused on the book itself, you could check the sites below for reviews and studies of the book. Make sure you don't copy; instead, produce your own notes because plagiarism affects your grade. Check the EVALUATION page for details.5. When you meet with your team members, you will exchange your notes and work out your final journal entries. You will also work on the poster-map indicated on your TASK page. You will find a link to a sample map below.

Each one of you is expected to submit upon entrance the attached sheet with your notes and suggested journal entry. In case you use - not copy - information from any reference, mention it in your sheet.


In preparation for Task Three:

Charlotte boards the Seahawk with specific ideas as to what is proper and who is decent and righteous. However, she experiences unexpected events that force her to reconsider her preset ideas and learn important lessons about human nature and life. She also learns to face these sometimes unsettling revelations with honesty and courage.

1. As you are reading, use the Word Document sheet entitled "Individual Preparation for Task Three" attached below to record your notes. Jot down the events that you consider turning points and that teach Charlotte important lessons.

2. Then divide the book into new chapters / parts based on these turning points. Although Avi hasn't added titles to his chapters, you will come up with a title for each new part of the novel. Make sure each title reflects the major event chosen.

3. Having recorded the event and the title, write in one sentence the lesson learned / theme. One example is provided in the TASK page.

4. You can also try your hand at drawing one of the major scenes you detected.

5. When you get together with your team members, you will exchange ideas and decide on the format and design of the poster that will combine all your work.

In short, you are expected to submit upon entrance the attached sheet with your notes on it and possibly one drawing. The sheet asks for at least three major events. Many of the links below are helpful to you. Make sure you avoid copying / plagiarism and keep a record of the sites you refer to.


In preparation for Task Four:

Your preparation for this task is two-sided. You are to study the change in Charlotte's character. However, when it comes to submitting your final project, you are expected to make that change visible through pictures related to physical appearance and surrounding objects. You could also resort to certain words to help you make the transformation clear. Follow the suggested steps below to help you:

1. As you are reading, use the PDF sheet entitled "Individual Preparation for Task Four" attached below to fill in the two charts with important characterization details on "Charlotte the young lady" and "Charlotte the sailor." 

2. Then you could refer to some of the resources attached to help you adjust your notes. Your interest lies in resources that focus on characters but also on how women were expected to behave in the 19th century and what role was attributed to them. These sites will help you understand the transformation better and you could start brainstorming for ideas for your collage.

3. Read on how to make a collage or view the movie from youtube. Then start thinking about and even collecting objects that could help you in your craft.

4. Go back to your notes and highlight the words that reveal the change in case you decide to use them in your collage.

In short, you are expected to submit upon entrance the attached chart sheet along with a list of suggested words and at least two items you think fit in your collage. You could write these on the back of the chart sheet. Make sure your paper is neat when you submit it, and your name, class, and section are added. Remember not to copy; instead, use you own words and keep a record of the resources you use. 


In preparation for Task Five:

1. Read the novel with a focus all throughout on the relationship between Charlotte and her parents - especially her father. Very often, while on the Seahawk, Charlotte thinks of her father to determine how she should behave. Use the Word Document sheet entitled "Individual Preparation for Task Five" attached below to Keep a record of all details related to this relationship. 

2. After having recorded all these instances, read on the role of women in the 19th century and how they were expected to behave. Also any reference to Charlotte's character and how she developed could be helpful to you. Based on the new understanding you acquire from your readings, jot down at least 3 reasons that might have motivated Charlotte's father to behave the way he did at the end of the novel.

3. Then, consider the all-time "generation gap" topic: based on your experience, jot down 2-3 reasons that bring parents and children closer and 2-3 reasons that make them argue.

4. At this point, you are ready to start writing your script / dialogue. You have examined the issue from the 19th-century perspective and from that of the 21st century. Your characters are Charlotte's father and a 21st century father - it could be your father! You could add to your sketch any other character: Charlotte's mother, Charlotte, or even you! Based on what you have read and prepared above, Write suggestions for 3 arguments the modern father might give Charlotte's father about Charlotte's behavior.

5. When you meet with your team members, you will exchange ideas and work out a final script / dialogue based on the suggestions each of you has made. Your sketch when acted shouldn't exceed 10 minutes.

In short, each of you is expected to submit upon entrance the attached sheet containing the following:

* Examples from the novel of the kind of relationship Charlotte has with her father.
* 3 reasons for Charlotte's father's behavior at the end of the novel + a list of resources that were useful to you. Remember not to copy!
* 2-3 factors that bring parents and children closer and 2-3 reasons that make them drift apart
* 3 suggested arguments that a modern father might give Charlotte's father