Activity Overview
Movie posters are a dynamic and creative way for students to boil down the most important aspects of a novel. After reading a novel, poem or play, students will create a movie poster that showcases the setting, characters and a chosen scene or overarching themes of the story.. Students can include the title and author of the book, a catchy tagline, and a "critic's review" informing the audience why they should go to see the movie and briefly describing the compelling story. Students may also choose to feature the names of actors and actresses that they imagine would be a good fit to play the roles of the main characters. This example uses the award winning high school novel in verse, The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo, however, any story can be used!
For additional templates to add to this assignment, check out our movie poster templates!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a movie poster for your book that highlights the most important aspects of the story.
Student Instructions:
- Identify scenes, characters, items and designs appropriate to the story and arrange them artfully on the poster. You may choose to showcase a particular scene in the book or an overarching theme.
- Add the title and author of the book as well as a catchy slogan or introduction.
- Add a "critic's review": one to three sentences describing why the audience should go to see this movie and what is compelling about the story.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text | Includes Title, Author, catchy slogan and a 1-3 sentence critic's review that accurately describes the story and why people should go to see the movie. | Missing one element of text. | Missing two or more elements of text. |
| Illustrations | Illustrations depict a scene or theme of the story with clear visuals including an appropriate scene, character, items, etc. | Illustrations depict a scene or theme from the story but are unclear or incomplete. | Illustrations do not depict a scene or theme from the story. |
Activity Overview
Movie posters are a dynamic and creative way for students to boil down the most important aspects of a novel. After reading a novel, poem or play, students will create a movie poster that showcases the setting, characters and a chosen scene or overarching themes of the story.. Students can include the title and author of the book, a catchy tagline, and a "critic's review" informing the audience why they should go to see the movie and briefly describing the compelling story. Students may also choose to feature the names of actors and actresses that they imagine would be a good fit to play the roles of the main characters. This example uses the award winning high school novel in verse, The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo, however, any story can be used!
For additional templates to add to this assignment, check out our movie poster templates!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a movie poster for your book that highlights the most important aspects of the story.
Student Instructions:
- Identify scenes, characters, items and designs appropriate to the story and arrange them artfully on the poster. You may choose to showcase a particular scene in the book or an overarching theme.
- Add the title and author of the book as well as a catchy slogan or introduction.
- Add a "critic's review": one to three sentences describing why the audience should go to see this movie and what is compelling about the story.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text | Includes Title, Author, catchy slogan and a 1-3 sentence critic's review that accurately describes the story and why people should go to see the movie. | Missing one element of text. | Missing two or more elements of text. |
| Illustrations | Illustrations depict a scene or theme of the story with clear visuals including an appropriate scene, character, items, etc. | Illustrations depict a scene or theme from the story but are unclear or incomplete. | Illustrations do not depict a scene or theme from the story. |
How Tos about Movie Poster Project
Organize a classroom gallery walk for movie poster projects
Encourage students to display their posters around the room. Gallery walks boost engagement by allowing students to view each other’s work, ask questions, and give feedback in a structured, interactive way.
Set expectations for respectful peer feedback
Discuss and model how to give constructive, positive feedback. Clear guidelines help students feel safe sharing their creative work and foster a growth mindset.
Assign students to small rotating groups
Divide the class into groups of 3–4 and rotate them through different posters. Small groups ensure everyone participates and receives meaningful feedback.
Provide sentence starters for feedback
Offer sentence starters like “I noticed…”, “I liked how…”, or “I wonder if…”. Structured prompts make it easier for students to share thoughtful comments and questions.
Wrap up with a class reflection discussion
Lead a whole-class conversation about what students learned from seeing others’ work. Reflecting as a group reinforces learning and celebrates creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Movie Poster Project
What is a movie poster project for high school English classes?
A movie poster project is a creative assignment where students design a poster for a novel, poem, or play they've read. The poster highlights important elements like the setting, characters, themes, and includes a title, author, tagline, and a brief critic's review to capture the story's essence.
How do you create a movie poster for a book in the classroom?
To create a movie poster for a book, students should identify key scenes, characters, and themes, then arrange these visually on the poster. Add the book's title, author, a catchy slogan, and a short critic's review to entice the audience. Including imagined actors for main roles adds a fun, creative touch.
What should be included on a student-made movie poster for a novel?
A student-made movie poster should feature the book title, author, main characters, setting, a memorable scene or theme, a catchy tagline, and a brief critic’s review. Optionally, students can add actors’ names for the roles and unique design elements that reflect the story.
Why are movie poster projects effective for literature study?
Movie poster projects engage students in summarizing and analyzing a story by focusing on its most important aspects. This visual and creative approach helps deepen comprehension, reinforce literary elements, and allows students to express understanding in an original way.
Where can teachers find templates for student movie poster assignments?
Teachers can find movie poster templates for student assignments online through educational resources, teaching marketplaces, or by searching for free printable templates. Many sites offer customizable designs to fit a variety of book projects and grade levels.
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