Analysis through Literary Elements For Any Story

Overview: This is a differentiated lesson that has two parts. The first organizer should go to students during the reading of the story and can be completed as the story progresses.

Part 1 Organizers: These organizers cover setting, conflict, characterization, and symbolism. Students can complete them (at least in part) while reading the story. (NOTE: The teacher can modify the charts to support analysis of elements such as tone, diction, syntax, or other devices that point toward theme.) It may work well to include a few basic comprehension questions from the story as well that can be added to all of the organizers; this addition would ensure that the group members have some common information when they come together and can demonstrate understanding of the basic plot elements. This part may be differentiated by giving the more accessible elements to struggling learners while giving the more challenging elements to more advanced learners. Students can complete the organizers individually or with a group who is working on the same element, or they can work first as individuals and then as a group.

Part 2 Organizer: This organizer needs a member from each of the Part 1 literary elements. The goal of this part is to help each member share what s/he learned about his/her literary element and for the group to work together to analyze how the elements create and reveal a theme.