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Digital Book Trailers



Below is an assignment I have designed and implemented in many iterations.  I most recently adapted this assignment for use in my AP (Advanced Placement) English Literature and Composition course.  The primary difference for the AP is assignment is that students had to reveal the entire story and they had to include a Major Works Data sheet.  Students completed this project in groups based on the classic works of literary merit that they self-selected and read over the summer.

 This project is a favorite of mine because students learn to problem solve, to collaborate, to use a variety of tech tools, to follow copyright laws, and to summarize and depict a book all while being very engaged in the work itself.

 I presented this assignment in a workshop entitled: "Bringing the Boys In: Engaging Reluctant Readers."

Please feel free to use and adapt this assignment.  If you use it, please provide attribution.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me at girlfaulkner@gmail.com.  Also, post comments here on how this assignment worked for you in your classes.

Check out University of Central Florida's Digital Booktalk for examples and community support.

SSR Book Trailer Assignment

We all know what a movie trailer is, right?  It’s the previews shown on TV, on the Internet, and in the movie theater.  They are aimed at getting you interested in watching that particular movie.  Well, book publishers have gotten smart.  Now, new books that are coming out are being promoted via the book trailer.  They work the same way as a movie trailer.  They give you just enough information to get you interested in the book so you will go out and read it yourself.

Your job is to pick one book that you have completed this semester during SSR and create a book trailer for it using Photo Story.  This will count as a major project grade. You will have some time to complete this in the computer lab the last week of the semester, but go ahead and begin to think about which book you will choose to do.  You will have a preview party with your class (popcorn and soda) and we will watch the trailers.  In the future, your trailers will be used to have “booktalks” with classes—you know, that’s what I do when I hold up a book I’m reading and “talk it up” to you to get you interested (and occasionally, you guys do this with each other, too.)

We will watch a few examples in class to give you an idea of what is expected of you.  Below are some guidelines, resources, instructions, and the rubric (how you will be graded).
Looking for other examples of student created trailers?
  • Digital Booktalk™   http://digitalbooktalk.com/
  • Pima County Public Library Teen Zone   http://www.library.pima.gov/teenzone/trailers/
    (use the links for 2006 and 2007 trailers)
Guidelines:
  • Use copyright-free material.
  • Do not give away the plot of the novel.
  • Be persuasive—your trailer should make someone want to read the book!
  • Your completed Photo Story should be similar to a movie trailer, in that it gives the viewer a basic idea of the plot, yet intrigues them to check the book out and read it for themselves.
  • The total time of the Photo Story digital book report should not exceed three or four minutes.
  • Do not let the soundtrack over-power the narration and images.  Use transitions and effects wisely.
Resources:
Copyright Free Pictures (be sure to read and adhere to posted restrictions)
Copyright Free Video (be sure to read and adhere to posted restrictions)
Copyright Free Audio (be sure to read and adhere to posted restrictions)

Step One:  Analyzing the Novel  (worth 20 points)

Complete a plot planner for your novel. You must know a lot about your novel before you begin searching the Internet for images to add to your Photo Story. Analyzing the sequence of the plot and the characters will help prepare you for creating your book trailer.

Step Two:  Planning the Trailer   (worth 20 points)

Storyboard each scene in relation to characters present, actions engaged in, setting, and dialogue.  Use the storyboard graphic organizer to plan your trailer.

Do not give away the ending of the book. 
Step Three:  Selecting Images
Using the sites recommended above, find images that represent the significant events from your storyboard and/or that can be used to signify important traits about main characters.

Step Four: Narrating Images

After selecting images, put them into the Photo Story software in the sequence of events outlined in the novel. Don’t worry; you can delete, add, or move photos once they are in your storyboard.  To narrate each picture, make notes for each image in the space provided.  You can use this as a teleprompter for your narration.  If you mess up, you can delete and TAKE 2 (or 3 or 4!)   Follow the story map, and try to explain the exposition, conflict, and rising action. Do not include the falling action or resolution, in order to leave the ending questionable to persuade others to read the book. Narration should be short and sweet.

Step Five: The Finishing Touches (worth 10 points)

Selecting music is the last step of the Photo Story digital book report project, and the music should relate to the theme or genre of the book.  Present!


Rubric:  (These 50 points will be added to the possible 50 you can earn in preparation and for presenting.)
Developing (0-6)
Mastery (7-8)
Exemplary (9-10)
Score
Selection
The scenes selected and focused upon throughout the trailer are not appropriate for conveying the essence of the book. (Or too much of the book is given away)
You’ve chosen appropriate scenes.
You made smart selections for your intended audience and purpose.  The scenes selected work to persuade a reader to read your book.

Hook
Your trailer does not interest the audience from the very beginning.  It is too boring.
You had our attention.
The trailer was compelling, bringing together the visual and the audio in a way that engaged and moved the audience.

Pacing
(  3-4 minutes)
Pacing is all over the place.  The overall trailer could also be too long/too short.
Pacing worked, but needs some alteration in order to effectively communicate intended message. You spend too much time on some slides/scenes, and not enough time is spent on others. 
Pacing effectively helps to convey the essence of the story and keeps the audience interested.

Economy
Too much polish and not enough substance.  Effects and transitions aren’t doing narrative work.
Judicious use of transitions and effects helps in delivering the content of the trailer.
Transition and effects are used to deliberately communicate intended meaning.  The trailer is effective because of balance.

Present-ation
Elements were disconnected or missing.  The presentation did not help in conveying meaning.
The writer is clearly learning how to use the technology to convey meaning.  The project is effective.
Presentation demonstrates technical competency and excellent use of the tools to convey rich, intended meaning for a specific purpose.




Total Points:

(adapted from Daniel Woods and Crystal Beach’s “Book Trailer Projects From Classroom to Community:  Virginia Tech Students Reach out to the Local High School” in The Virginia English Bulletin, Vol. 58, Number 2  Fall/2008 Winter/2009 p. 46; available online at http://vate.org/pdf/ideas/GreatTeachIdea_BookTrailerProject.pdf)


























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