Hamlet Final Project Options
Ms. Zupancic
English 12 & Honors 12
Due on or before: Friday, May 24, 2013
Directions: Choose one of the following options for your final project for Hamlet. Projects will be graded on effort, creativity, how well you demonstrate your understanding of the play, and how well you complete all facets of whichever option you choose.
There are many options available. Variations on any of these options must be pre-approved. You will be required to present your project to the class at the end of the unit, as well as create your own rubric.
All projects should be mechanically sound and indicate a high degree of effort. This project should reflect thought and work over a period of time, not just something thrown together last minute. Your work in progress will be spot checked over the next few weeks to see that you are up to date. No late projects will be accepted!
You may work alone or with a partner on any one of these projects (maximum two students per project).
The Soundtrack: Make a fifteen (15) song CD for a movie of the play (roughly 3 songs per Act). Your liner notes will ultimately be the parts of an essay in which you explain why you are including each of the songs on the mix. For each song or musical piece, write out the lyrics or describe the music; then, each song should have a paragraph of in-depth analysis/explanation/description, which explains its connection to the play, using literary evidence such as: themes, symbols, motifs, and situations that characters and the play explored. You should use TEXT BASED EVIDENCE (AKA quotes from the play!). The songs should go in chronological order (the order in which they occur in the play). Requirements: fifteen (15) songs minimum (artist/song title) on CD; a one paragraph explanation for each song; use the lyrics of the song to explain the reason why it compares to the play; a cover for mixed CD. You pick and choose which elements of the music to connect to the play. Be artistic! Use the themes and recurring symbols and elements in the play as inspiration! Your presentation is just as important as the content. The final product should look like something you would buy at a store! You can find a CD template in Microsoft Office Publisher (the computers at school have this program).
Newspaper: Create a newspaper for major events of the play. Your newspaper must include at least five (5) from the following: a news story, a review, an editorial or commentary, a feature story, a “fashion” column, a cartoon or comic, a gossip column, a reader’s opinion column, a sports column, a recipe and a restaurant review, a weather forecast, a crossword, an announcements sections, and/or a profile piece. All articles must be linked to the play. You should choose quotes from the play to act as your interviews, although you may embellish a bit. The different news writing styles can be found in any newspaper, but if you need help, I will instruct you on how to do it. Your final articles must be put together in a newsletter template, with an even number of pages [four (4) pages is usually the minimum]. There should be NO white space and your final product should look like a real newspaper or magazine. Include ads, a table of contents, etc. You can find a newspaper template in Microsoft Office Publisher (the computers at school have this program).
Graphic Novel / Comic Book: Recreate the story in a graphic novel (i.e. comic book) format. Choose the most important scenes - in your view - and tell the story. The quality of your project will be determined by the following: a) the extent to which your graphic novel includes the entire story of the play, b) the quality and effort put into the artwork, and c) 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 the extent to which they reject society and reveal themselves as rebels in the American spirit. I did this because… and showed it by…) You should use TEXT BASED EVIDENCE (AKA quotes from the play!) to narrate your story, as well as in your introduction (foreword) or conclusion (epilogue) to your piece. This option is for the artistic student. If you are a stick-figure kind of person, this may not work out very well for you. You may also opt to use free comic software via the website http://www.comicmaster.org.uk/ if you would rather work on your comic on the computer, instead of by hand.
Depression: Research and present a major issue/idea in the play. This is a literary analysis using the concept of depression as character development and thematic glue. First, research the issue/idea and explain its significance. You must cite all research using the proper MLA format. After doing so, look at a character or situation in the play. ANALYZE it closely. Explain how the issue/idea affects the play, character, etc. You should use TEXT BASED EVIDENCE (AKA quotes from the play!) Requirements: 800-1000 words, typed, double-spaced, proper documentation, three varied sources (minimum), good mechanics, sound literary analysis.
Glogster - The Online, Interactive Play: Design a webpage using Glogster that reflects all aspects of the play. You should create a concept that will serve as a study aid and information center for people interested in learning more about the play, understanding the play, exploring the main themes, and relating the play to today’s youths. The site should include: text boxes, videos, graphics that make the site appealing and educational (and fun), links to other great sites on the same play, images, sounds and animation, and well-written content (USE TEXT BASED EVIDENCE). Remember, the purpose of this project is to share your knowledge with others and help others learn in an innovative way. Use your class notes and study guide for ideas. Include as many of the following as possible: an interactive quiz, message boards, thematically linked music selections, animation, backgrounds, etc.
The Character, Ten Years Later: Write a piece of short fiction in which you join a character from Hamlet, ten years (or later) after the story ends. Try, as best you can, to replicate and emulate the character’s unique voice. You do not have to write it in the style of the play, but can instead write it like a popular fiction novel or short story. Be creative! Try to use what you know of the character to guide your prediction. Be sure to utilize details from the play as your springboard. Refer back to events in the play, using flashbacks or reoccurring imagery. Quote when possible and maintain the major themes of the play. Requirements: Title page with title, introduction that details what you attempted to do, how you did it, and a self-assessment, 800-1000 words, typed, double-spaced.
Board Game or Video Game: Take your close reading of the play and turn it into a game! Be sure to USE TEXT BASED EVIDENCE. The purpose of this project is to share your knowledge with others and test them on theirs. While you may have superficial questions, the bulk of your questions should explore deeper levels of analysis. You may model your game on an existing game (i.e., Cranium, Trivial Pursuit, etc.) or create your own. The game should help others learn in an innovative way. Use your class notes and study guide for ideas. If your main character goes on some type of journey, you may want to incorporate this into your game.
Scrapbook: Compile a scrapbook of memorabilia for a character in the play. Use items that this character might have collected or come across during the play. All artifacts must be captioned with where he/she got it, its significance to him/her, and the page on which you found it. Think of the images that keep recurring in the play, the places to which the character travels, and anything he/she collects. This project will be assessed based on the amount of memorabilia collected and its presentation. As a benchmark, expect to get at least ten (10) pages worth of memorabilia for your scrapbook. Each item should have at least a paragraph explaining its significance. Don’t forget to include pictures, decorations, backgrounds, etc. You should use TEXT BASED EVIDENCE (AKA quotes from the play!) to support your items; you will demonstrate where it was found and then explain the significance.
Photographic or Artistic Montage: Create a photo documentary of the places that the protagonist visited and represent them with flair. If painting, collage, or drawing is your thing, draw these places. Compile a montage of scenes depicting the character’s adventures. All pieces must be captioned with a paragraph that explains it, its significance, and incorporate text based evidence to support your theory. Each of these paragraphs is detailed literary analysis. This project will be assessed based on the number of scenes depicted and the detail of the explanations. As a benchmark, expect to create at least ten (10) scenes.
The Motion Picture. Choose a scene or montage of significant event(s) in the play and turn it/them into a screenplay. [You might also turn the entire play into a short film, serious or humorous.] You should use TEXT BASED EVIDENCE (AKA quotes from the play!). Requirements: a five (5) page script that follows movie script format including setting, camera shots, and cast descriptions (who you want to play who), typed. Video tape the scene(s) with friends and do a great job editing. You are a Hollywood producer! You may work with a partner(s) for this project; however, the final script should reflect at least five (5) pages per student.
Music or Poetry: Write five (5) songs/poems that illustrate points in the play that are meaningful. For each song/poem, be sure to include a one paragraph explanation (minimum) that connects what you wrote to the play using text based evidence. Extra credit will be given to the songwriter who can compose the music to accompany the lyrics. Please present in class or record your performance of the songs/poems.
Children’s Book: Write an illustrated children’s book that addresses an audience of children on what the protagonist values. Most children’s books are used to teach children a specific idea, virtue, moral etc. What would your protagonist want children to know? Be sure to use text based evidence in your narrative and to have a short narrative on each illustrated page, minimum of ten (10) pages. Or, you may consider doing a children’s version of the play. Please remember to keep the content of the story school appropriate and age appropriate.
Costume Designer: Pretend you are the costume designer for a theatrical production of Hamlet. Draw accurate costumes for Hamlet, Ophelia, Claudius, Gertrude, Polonius, Laertes, Horatio, Cornelius, Voltimand, Marcellus, Barnardo, Francisco, Prince Fortinbras, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, the Gravedigger, and the Ghost (King Hamlet). Each drawing must be on a minimum 8 ½” x 11” page, colored, with fabric swatches attached. Write a one paragraph report per character, explaining what each character would wear for each scene and why you chose the costume design. Be sure to use text based evidence in your explanations. This option is for the artistic student. If you are a stick-figure kind of person, this may not work out very well for you.
Psychology 101: You are a psychologist and your patient is a character of your choice from Hamlet. He or she has come seeking advice. What questions would you ask your patient? What advice would you give? Compose notes and a tape recording of your thoughts from ten (10) “sessions” with that character. Also consider dream analysis and role-playing exercises with that character. You must have at least ten (10) consecutive sessions and include a final diagnosis/recommendation for your patient. Create a typed script for your notes that outlines the conversation with your character. Your diagnosis/recommendation must be at least one page, typed, and must contain legitimate psychological practices/reasoning. Be sure to use text based evidence to support your questions and possible responses.
Timeline: Create a giant timeline of the important events of the play. Be sure to include pictures and decorations. You must write one paragraph per event that explains its importance to the plot. The paragraph must be able to fit on the timeline poster. Prepare to create a large timeline due to the many important events that occur in the play! Your timeline MUST be accurate! Make sure you pay attention to details.
Globe Theater: Make a three dimensional model of the Globe Theater using clay, soap, wood, marshmallows, toothpicks, popsicle sticks – anything that will yield a 3D design. Be creative! Additionally, write a speech (5-10 minutes long) that gives a detailed and informative history of the Globe Theater. Be prepared to present your design and deliver your speech in front of the class. You must also hand in a printed copy of your speech. If you do not want to present it for the class, you may record your presentation and turn it in with the model.
Character Analysis: You have just been hired to produce a play or movie production of Hamlet. Cast your characters with popular celebrities that would fit each of the main roles: Hamlet, Ophelia, Claudius, Gertrude, Polonius, Laertes, Horatio, Cornelius, Voltimand, Marcellus, Barnardo, Francisco, Prince Fortinbras, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, the Gravedigger, and the Ghost (King Hamlet). Then, announce your production with an eye-catching poster, including dates and times of performances, location of performances, and names and pictures of your stars. Be creative! Write a one paragraph report per character, explaining why you chose that character for his/her role. What characteristics does this actor have that exemplifies the corresponding character in Hamlet? Be sure to use text based evidence in your explanations. This option is for the artistic student. If you are a stick-figure kind of person, this may not work out very well for you.