Why Study Literature

Why Study Literature? (Building Your High-Value Skillset)

More Than Just a Story

Why do we spend time analyzing novels in a world dominated by quick clips and AI? The truth is, studying literature is like "weight training" for your brain. It builds the exact skills that top Canadian employers are looking for: critical thinking, empathy, complex problem-solving, and the ability to spot patterns in human behaviour.

In this assignment, you will define your own "professional development" goals for this unit and curate a list of novels that speak to your interests.


Phase 1: Consulting Your "Career Coach" (AI)

Use your AI assistant to help you connect the dots between a novel study and your personal goals.

  • Step A: Ask the AI, "What high-value, transferable skills do students develop through a novel study?"
  • Step B: Pick a skill you actually want to get better at (e.g., understanding different perspectives, improving your writing style, or analyzing complex systems). Ask the AI: "I want to work on [Your Skill]. How can I specifically use a novel study to get better at this?"

Phase 2: The Curation Challenge

Now, find the "textbook" that fits your life. Ask your AI to suggest three different novels based on your interests and the skills you just identified.

  • Prompt Idea: "I am a Grade 11 student in Ontario. I’m interested in [e.g., environmental justice/tech thrillers/historical drama]. Can you suggest three novels that would help me develop [Your Skill]?"

Phase 3: The Pitch Video

Create a video that does two things: it proves the value of literature and pitches your top three book choices.

Your Video Content:

  1. The Argument: Persuade an audience of your peers that a novel study is actually a "level-up" for their real-world skills.
  2. The Shortlist: Review your three potential novels. Why would someone like you enjoy them?
  3. The Reveal: Announce which novel you have officially chosen as a "teaser" for your next project.

The Growth Challenge: Review the feedback I gave you on your last video. Whether it was about your lighting, your eye contact, or the way you used Canva overlays, show me that you have taken those notes and made your production even better this time!

Assessment

Pre-Submission

Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.

What to Turn In

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    Pre-Submission Self-Assessment Google Doc
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    A video explaining your personal learning goals, reviewing three potential novels, and selecting one

Learning Goals

We are learning to:

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    Consider how studying literature can support the development of high-value, transferable skills

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    Organize ideas into a coherent, well-developed argument about the value of media and text

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    Improve speaking skills with attention to clarity, vocal strategies, and non-verbal cues

  • šŸŽÆ

    Expand media creation skills by incorporating prior feedback into new technical techniques

Success Criteria

I can:

  • āœ…

    speak clearly and engagingly using effective vocal and non-verbal strategies

    Expectations Covered: OC2
  • āœ…

    connect my personal career or learning goals to the study of literature

    Expectations Covered: RLS4
  • āœ…

    develop a logical, well-reasoned argument about the value of studying complex texts

    Expectations Covered: W1
  • āœ…

    incorporate self-assessment and teacher feedback from prior assignments into my current video production

    Expectations Covered: MS3

Rubric

Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Thinking/Inquiring Develops a very clear, sophisticated, and well-organized argument about literature and high-value skills Develops a clear, well-organized argument about literature and high-value skills Develops a mostly clear and organized argument about the value of literature Develops a somewhat clear argument with limited organization
Application Video production shows significant and expert improvement based on prior feedback Video production clearly incorporates feedback from prior assignments Video production shows some improvement, though some previous issues remain Video production shows limited improvement
Communication Speaking skills show significant, professional-grade improvement in response to prior feedback Speaking clearly incorporates feedback and shows considerable improvement Speaking shows some improvement, though delivery may be uneven Speaking shows limited improvement in clarity or strategy
Thinking/Inquiring
Level 4

Develops a very clear, sophisticated, and well-organized argument about literature and high-value skills

Level 3

Develops a clear, well-organized argument about literature and high-value skills

Level 2

Develops a mostly clear and organized argument about the value of literature

Level 1

Develops a somewhat clear argument with limited organization

Application
Level 4

Video production shows significant and expert improvement based on prior feedback

Level 3

Video production clearly incorporates feedback from prior assignments

Level 2

Video production shows some improvement, though some previous issues remain

Level 1

Video production shows limited improvement

Communication
Level 4

Speaking skills show significant, professional-grade improvement in response to prior feedback

Level 3

Speaking clearly incorporates feedback and shows considerable improvement

Level 2

Speaking shows some improvement, though delivery may be uneven

Level 1

Speaking shows limited improvement in clarity or strategy