All Quiet on the Western Front

Reading Schedule and Reading Circle Information

As with Things Fall Apart, you will discuss much of All Quiet on the Western Front with your group members. You will meet eleven times for discussion (and four of these times you will have written work). Written work must attempt to use some of the bolded terms on the reverse side. It is your responsibility to follow the reading schedule, even if you happen to be absent. Consult the rubric to remind you of how you will be evaluated during this time.

Schedule

Dates indicate the day the reading is to be completed for class discussion. A “w” indicates that written work is also due on this day.

Jobs: Pay attention to the job description and follow it completely.

Paul Bäumer – Paul is the main character (and narrator) of this novel. As such, this book is told in a limited first-person point of view; in other words, the book only reveals details that Paul experiences. As you read the assigned chapter(s), write three Level II or Level III questions (only one may be Level III) relating to Paul. You should answer your own questions in writing with detail from the entire chapter(s) you read to demonstrate your specific understanding. Answers must be at least five to six sentences each. Good answers include partial quotes and/or page number references and address issues of significance in the chapter(s).

Other Characters – As a narrator, Paul also discusses and observes his friends, his commanders, and his family. As you read the assigned section, write three Level II or Level III questions (only one may be Level III) relating to characters other than Paul. The characters should be of significance in the section. You need to answer your questions in detailed writing showing your specific reading of the chapter(s). Answers must be at least five to six sentences each. Good answers make references to specific pages and/or include partial quotes from the text.

History Connections – While All Quiet on the Western Front is a work of fiction, it reveals much about the reality of war in general, and World War I specifically. Think about three scenes within the section you read that illustrate something about this war and write three questions about these war-related issues. Questions need to be Level II/III quality (only one can be Level III) and cover the range of pages you read. You must answer the question in writing of five to six sentences each demonstrating specific reading of the assigned section. Good answers will include specific page references and/or partial quotes from the text.

Vocabulary/Literary Devices – Find five words that are words you think your classmates may not know – words that are challenging. You must (1) write the page number where the word appears; (2) copy out the sentence in which the word appears; and (3) write the word’s part of speech and a usage-appropriate definition in your own words. Also, choose one example of figurative language, imagery or symbolism. Copy this sentence from the book. Write a question about the effect of this literary device. Write your own 3-4 sentence answer.

Things to Consider as Your Write Questions/Answers

As you develop your questions about AQWF, we want you to attempt to write about literature the way the California Standards for English Language Arts expects your grade level to write about literature.  Thus, try to do the following:

Think about how Remarque paces the novel. How does he time and sequence events?  Does he use foreshadowing or flashback?  How does this assist with your understanding of the book?

How does Remarque’s use of various literary devices – figurative language, imagery, symbolism – add to the impact of the novel?

As he develops Paul’s character and that of the others in the book, does Remarque use any ambiguities, subtleties, contradictions, ironies, and/or incongruities in the text?

Interpret and evaluate the impact of these as they appear.

Think about Remarque’s choice of narrator. How does Paul’s voice, his persona, and his actions affect the tone, plot, and credibility of Remarque’s novel?

Think about the other characters in the novel.  How does Remarque’s characterization of them (their dialogue, their actions) add to the novel’s theme?

Remarque has been praised for his realistic style and his depiction of the realities of war. Look at the impact of his diction and his use of figurative language.  How do these affect the mood, tone and theme of the book?  What tense does he use in the novel?  How does his use of tense impact the reader?

World War I was an extremely significant and tense time in history.  How is Remarque’s novel related to the themes and issues of this time period?

Scoring Guide/Rubric

5

Written work always complete, on time, and sometimes exceeding specifications

Written work usually demonstrates outstanding understanding of reading

Group participation demonstrates active engagement with the text and with group members

4

Written work nearly always complete, on time, and meeting specifications

Written work usually demonstrates above average understanding of reading

Group participation demonstrates mostly active engagement with the text and with group members

3

Written work usually complete, on time, and meeting specifications

Written work usually demonstrates average understanding of the reading

Group participation demonstrates some engagement with the text and with group members

2

Written work partially complete, perhaps not on time or not meeting specifications

Written work demonstrates superficial understanding of the reading

Group participation is lacking or perhaps inconsistent; engagement not observed

1

Written work often failed to meet specifications or was not on time

Written work demonstrates little or no understanding of reading

Group participation not observed or usually ineffective and disengaged