ELA9RL2 The student identifies, analyzes, and applies knowledge of theme in literary works from various genres and provides evidence from the works to support understanding.
Take a moment to read it a few times while thinking about what it might mean. Then create a post on your blog called "Short Story -- THEME", then post the following:
1. Translate this standard into your own words, and then add a sentence or two describing what you expect from this project.
MINI LESSON:
"Theme" is the central idea of a work of literature. This does not mean "theme" is the same as the subject of a piece of writing. The subject of a piece of writing can be described in a word or two, "baseball", "farming", or "The Holocaust" to list a few examples. The theme is what the author wishes to reveal about the subject.
Some Examples:
Romeo and Juliet:
Subject: Young Love
Theme: Young love is often more important than family
Boyz in tha Hood:
Subject: Life in South-Central Los Angeles
Theme: Gang life is dangerous even for those who do not actively engage in it.
Back to the Future:
Subject: Time Travel
Theme: Though many people would like to change their pasts, their lives may end up worse if they did.
WORK PERIOD:
For this project, you will need to select a short story to read. Below are some suggestions of stories that are good for discussing theme:
Blues Ain't No Mockin Bird by Toni Cade Bambara -- page 266 in gold anthology
Independence by Ruth Sasaki -- page 278 in gold anthology
American History by Judith Ortiz Cofer -- page 290 in gold anthology
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson -- page 34 in green McGraw Hill anthology
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor -- page 86 in green McGraw Hill anthology
If you would like to read another story that is not on this list, show it to me before you begin.
When you are finished reading, post the following to your weblog:
2. Write a 2-3 paragraph response to the story you read. Please focus more on how you felt about the story than writing a summary.
3. What was the subject of the story? What was the theme? Look at the examples above if you need to. What do you think about what the author was trying to reveal about the subject? Do you agree with the author? Answer these questions in a short paragraph.
4. How does the author's words support the theme they are trying to convey. In other words, how can you tell what the author thought about the subject, and how can you tell what the author was hoping you would think when you finished the story. Make sure you provide some direct evidence from the story to support you r response.
5. Think of your favorite movie. Explain the subject of that movie, and then the theme. How does the person who created this movie deliver the theme? Describe the themes that let you know how the author feels about the subject and convinces viewers to feel the same.
CLOSING:
Review the standards I have listed below, and with direct evidence from YOUR work, explain how you have addressed at least two of the three.
ELA9RL1 The student demonstrates comprehension by identifying evidence (i.e., examples of diction, imagery, point of view, figurative language, symbolism, plot events and main ideas) in a variety of texts representative of different genres (i.e., poetry, prose [short story, novel, essay, editorial, biography], and drama) and using this evidence as the basis for interpretation.
ELA9RL2 The student identifies, analyzes, and applies knowledge of theme in literary works from various genres and provides evidence from the works to support understanding.
ELA9RL3 The student deepens understanding of literary works by relating them to contemporary context or historical background.
When you are through, self-evaluate your work with the help of the Rubric for Weblog Posts, and then leave me a comment to this message telling me you are through.
2 comments:
I AM DONE!!!!!!
i fixed it!!!!!
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