Analyzing Theme in Fictional Texts
Analyzing Theme in Fictional Texts
Objectives
This lesson will build on students’ experience in identifying how different elements work together to develop the theme. Students will:
- identify the theme of a fiction text.
- explain how theme is developed through literary elements.
Essential Questions
How do strategic readers create meaning from informational and literary text?
How does interaction with text provoke thinking and response?
What is this text really about?
- How do strategic readers create meaning from informational and literary text?
- What is this text really about?
- How does interaction with text provoke thinking and response?
Vocabulary
- Characterization: The method an author uses to reveal characters and their various personalities.
- Dialogue: In its widest sense, dialogue is simply conversation between people in a literary work; in its most restricted sense, it refers specifically to the speech of characters in a drama.
- Theme: A topic of discussion or writing; a major idea broad enough to cover the entire scope of a literary work.
- Moral: The lesson in a story.
Duration
60–120 minutes/1–2 class periods
Prerequisite Skills
Prerequisite Skills haven't been entered into the lesson plan.
Materials
- “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs. http://gaslight.mtroyal.ca/mnkyspaw.htm Gaslight etext. 1906.
“The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs is a commonly anthologized short story of high interest and suspense that uses several techniques readers may use to infer theme.
- Alternatives include excerpts from Animal Farm by George Orwell and short stories such as “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe, and “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson.
- Teachers may substitute other texts to provide a range of reading and level of text complexity.
Related Unit and Lesson Plans
Related Materials & Resources
The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.
- “The Monkey’s Paw” radio play. Mystery Theatre from the Archives of the CBC. http://www.scenarioproductions.com/cbc/volumeTHREE.html
Formative Assessment
Suggested Instructional Supports
Instructional Procedures
Related Instructional Videos
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Final 05/10/2013