THE ASSIGNMENT: Our class will split up into smaller groups based on whether you selected to read Sound of Waves, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, or Jasmine for your choice summer reading novel. Each group will work together to unpack some of events of the story in order to present a theme from the story to the class. Each group will create a poster and present their theme and analysis. Groups will need to appoint specific tasks to each group member in order to efficiently and effectively complete this project. WHAT IS THEME? The theme of any text, whether a poem, a work of fiction, or a work of non-fiction, is the central insight or truth regarding human experience that is expressed through the world that the writer creates. A theme is the comment an author is attempting to make about a particular topic. A theme is not one word or a phrase. For example, the power of the individual is not a theme. Instead, a theme would be the comment the author is trying to make about the power of the individual. Each group will be write a clear, nuanced theme statement for their choice summer reading book. Your job is to work together to create and present a poster analyzing the role your theme plays within the narrative. Your poster and presentation must: Turn a thematic idea into a theme statement. Support your theme statement by creating a list of at least four quotations and/or examples from the text. Be sure correct MLA parenthetical page citations follow each of your four examples. Include a correctly formatted MLA Works Cited page on the back of the poster. Identify and explain the use of two other literary devices used in conjunction with your theme. Select a literary device from the review sheet (e.g., Does the writer present your theme symbolically? What type of diction does your author use to elaborate on your theme? Do readers understand your theme as part of the text s denouement?). Be sure to explain how these two devices are used. Include graphic representations of your theme on your poster. STEP ONE: STEP TWO: Each student completes the Thematic Analysis sheet in this packet. Upon completion, the group shares their responses with one another in order to put together a clear picture of the theme, how it functions within the story, and the comment the author is attempting to share with the reader. Brainstorm potential theme statements as a group. Use the brainstorm sheet included in this packet to help you begin to draft ideas for your poster before actually beginning. STEP THREE: Find at least four quotations and/or examples within the text that support your theme. Keep track of these on the brainstorming sheet, making sure to also keep track of page numbers. STEP FOUR: Put together your poster! Decide how you will present your analysis to the class.
Thematic Idea: What do you think the author wants his readers to learn about this thematic idea? What comment is the author trying to make about the human condition? EXAMPLE 1: Where do you find an example in the text that supports your thematic idea? Either write out a quotation or a paraphrase from the passage. Be sure to record the page number(s). EXAMPLE 2: Where do you find another example in the text that supports your thematic idea? Either write out a quotation or a paraphrase from the passage. Be sure to record the page number(s). EXAMPLE 3: Where do you find another example in the text that supports your thematic idea? Either write out a quotation or a paraphrase from the passage. Be sure to record the page number(s). EXAMPLE 4: Where do you find another example in the text that supports your thematic idea? Either write out a quotation or a paraphrase from the passage. Be sure to record the page number(s). LITERARY DEVICE 1: Select a literary device from our review crossword puzzle. Explain how this device helps us better understand your thematic idea. LITERARY DEVICE 2: Select a literary device from our review crossword puzzle. Explain how this device helps us better understand your thematic idea. Word your thematic idea as a theme statement. What comment is the author trying to make?
REMEMBER: The theme of a piece of literature is its view about life and how people behave. Essentially, a theme is a comment on humanity, reality, and perhaps society. Theme statements: are declarative sentences that relate the specifics of a story to the human experience, are not single concepts or one word abstract ideas, are not simple generalizations and therefore should not include words such as always and never, are the author s implied comments about an idea and not personal directives for how to live. THEME STATEMENT IDEAS: SUPPORTING EXAMPLES (Keep track of page numbers): BASIC POSTER CONTENTS: Although your poster may be organized differently, these are the basic elements that should be included on the front of your poster. Don t forget to put a works cited on the back of your poster. Thematic Idea (include images that illustrate your theme and not images from the book). Explanation of how a literary device applies to your theme. Theme statement What details from the text support your theme statement? Create a list of at least four quotations and/or examples to support your theme. Be sure to include page numbers. Example one (page). Example three (page). Example two (page). Example four (page). Explanation of how a literary device applies to your theme.
8=Exceptional 7=Well Done 6=Average 5=Basic 4=Needs Improvement Grading Criteria and Explanation CONTENT: the information included in the presentation and key concepts covered. The presentation and poster: o Identify and explain two literary devices which can be used to help understand the theme o Include at least two image (not from the book) that illustrate the thematic idea. o Identify and explain a well worded theme statement related to the group s initial thematic idea. o Support the theme statement with a list of at least four quotations or paraphrases of examples from the novel. o All quotations and paraphrases are correctly cited using MLA citations. o Include a correctly formatted works cited page on the back of the poster. Clearly organized presentation that flowed well and was easy to follow. The group elaborates on the events and literary elements represented on their poster. CREATIVITIY: the effort and originality put into the presentation materials. Original/unique presentation style; materials capture the audience's attention. Visuals are appropriate and reinforce the content being presented. Obvious time was spent preparing the visuals; they are not hurriedly assembled. Obvious thought and effort was put into adapting the presentation to the particular audience. The group chose an appropriate presentation style and visual aid format to help explain their points to the specific audience. PREPARATION OF MATERIALS: the way the parts of the presentation fit together. Obvious time and effort went into planning, creating, and practicing the presentation. Each group member was assigned specific responsibilities and each group member shared equal weight in the preparation of the presentation. The poster was clearly revised and does not contain spelling or grammar errors. Visuals are appropriate and reinforce the content being presented. SPEAKING SKILLS: the presenter s use of language, voice, eye contact, and gestures. Poised, clear articulation Proper volume; steady rate Confident posture (no slouching or hands in pockets) Eye contact maintained with various audience members throughout the presentation Did not read heavily from presentation materials or notes Each group member presents for an equal amount of time. LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: Score of 8= a presentation that does not Score of 5 = a presentation that does not exceed 5 minutes by +/- 30 seconds exceed 5 minutes by +/- 2 minutes Score of 7 = a presentation that does not Score of 4 = a presentation that does not exceed 5 minutes by +/- 1 minute exceed 5 minutes by over or under 2 min. minutes Score of 6 = a presentation that does not exceed 5 minutes by +/- 1 minute, 30 seconds Rating/ Comment OVERALL COMMENTS: TOTAL: /40
In the space below, record the theme statement and brief notes on the evidence each group presents. We will be referring back to these theme statements throughout the semester together. BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE: BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE: BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE: BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE:
BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE: BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE: BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE: BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE: BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE:
BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE: BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE: BOOK TITLE: THEME STATEMENT: EVIDENCE: