unpacking (and enacting!) elements of literature to deepen interpretation · unpacking (and...
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Unpacking (and Enacting!) Elements of Literature to Deepen Interpretation
Sonja [email protected]
@LitLearnAct LitLearnAct.wordpress.com
Challenges of Teaching the Literary Elements
How do we teach what really matters about the literary elements?
How do we teach students to linger over the elements of literature?
How do we teach students to use literary elements to deepen their interpretation of texts?
Teaching Moves
1) Less is more! Focus on one or two literary elements per text.
2) Teach explicit strategies for unpacking literary elements.
3) Provide guided practice opportunities.
Symbolism
“Just like superheroes with secret identities, symbols lie in wait, seemingly unimportant, full of mystery and deeper meaning.”
~ Cherry-Paul & Johansen, 2014
Unpacking SymbolismPossible Symbol Characteristics
What is this symbol?Symbolism
What might this symbol represent?
Significance - ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Diction
Diction involves examining an author’s use of words and her/his style of expression, which greatly influences the tone of a text and how readers interpret characters.
Unpacking Diction
Character Diction (specific words/phrases)
free bird
caged bird
Which key words/phrases does Maya Angelou use in Caged Bird to depict the free bird and the caged bird?
Significance - ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
CharacterizationCharacterization is the process in which an author reveals information about characters throughout a text. Readers understand characters when they ask themselves questions such as:
What am I learning about this character?
What is this character like (physical/personality traits)?
What motivates his/her behaviors?
How is this character changing?
Unpacking Characters
Bill Mary
What do we know?
What don’t we know?
Character Analysis - Early Autumn by Langston Hughes
Significance - ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Dialogue
Dialogue is the written/spoken exchange between characters, which serves a variety of purposes. It can:
● help readers understand a character’s personality● reveal conflict● convey tone● help readers to interpret theme
Unpacking Dialogue Notice how Langston Hughes uses brevity in Early Autumn. Make a list of some of the short sentences/fragments in the writing.
Significance - ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Enacting Elements of Literature!Work cooperatively to enact Caged Bird by Maya Angelou or Early Autumn by Langston Hughes.
Draw upon the literary elements to determine roles and the portrayal of the text.
Roles can and should include inanimate objects as well as narration to help your performance along.
Enactment OptionsOne rule - There must be some action, not just a reading of the text; from full-on enactment to a repetitive action.
1) Portray the whole text or part of the text
2) For partial enactments, think about the part that has...
the most energy left you wondering/puzzled
troubled you the most revealed something to you
stayed with you long after reading it
Why Enact Texts?Benefits:
● It’s fun!● Encourages multiple reads● Invites different perspectives● Deepens reading comprehension
The process of performing a text builds a bridge between the words on a page and the ideas they represent.
Contact InformationSonja [email protected]@tc.columbia.edu
www.LitLearnAct.wordpress.com
@LitLearnAct
Book signing: Monday - 5PM to 6PM Heinemann Booth #2, 5th floor Convention Center