Clarifications
Clarification 1: Key elements of a literary text are setting, plot, characterization, conflict, point of view, theme, and tone.Clarification 2: For layers of meaning, any methodology or model may be used as long as students understand that text may have multiple layers and that authors use techniques to achieve those layers. A very workable model for looking at layers of meaning is that of I.A. Richards:
Layer 1) the literal level, what the words actually mean
Layer 2) mood, those feelings that are evoked in the reader
Layer 3) tone, the author’s attitude
Layer 4) author’s purpose (interpretation of author’s purpose as it is often inferred).
Clarification 3: Style is the way in which the writer uses techniques for effect. It is distinct from meaning but can be used to make the author’s message more effective. The components of style are diction, syntax, grammar, and use of figurative language. Style helps to create the author’s voice.
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Lesson Plans
Original Student Tutorials
Original Student Tutorials for Language Arts - Grades 6-12
Read excerpts from Bram Stoker’s famous novel Dracula. In this interactive tutorial, you'll examine how the author creates suspense using the narrative techniques of exposition, foreshadowing, and imagery.
Make sure to complete both parts of this series! Click HERE to launch Part Two.
In Part Two of this two-part series, read more excerpts from Bram Stoker’s famous novel Dracula. You'll continue to examine how the author creates suspense using the narrative techniques of exposition, foreshadowing, and imagery.
Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part One.
Read and study excerpts from Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia to analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding the selection of the narrator, the setting, and how the main character is introduced and developed.
This interactive tutorial is Part One of three-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.
Read and study excerpts from Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia to analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding the selection of the narrator, where the story is set, and how the main character is introduced and developed.
This interactive English Language Arts tutorial is Part Three of three. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.
Analyze the impact of an author's choices using excerpts from Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia. In this series of interactive tutorials, you'll analyze the impact of an author's choices regarding the selection of the narrator, where the story is set, and how the main character is introduced and developed.
This is the second tutorial in a three-part series. Make sure to complete all three parts. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.
This tutorial is Part One of a two-part series. In Part One, you'll learn about the use of plot twists and their impact on a text. In this interactive tutorial, you'll examine two ways authors often create plot twists within a story. Reading excerpts from the short story "The Interlopers," you'll analyze and explain how the author creates several plot twists in the story by purposely setting and disrupting expectations for readers.
After completing Part One, click HERE for Part Two.
Examine the topics of transformation and perfection as you read excerpts from the “Myth of Pygmalion” by Ovid and the short story “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. By the end of this two-part interactive tutorial series, you should be able to explain how the short story draws on and transforms source material from the original myth.
This tutorial is the first in a two-part series. Click HERE to launch Part Two.
Examine the topics of transformation and perfection as you read excerpts from the “Myth of Pygmalion” by Ovid and the short story “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. By the end of this two-part interactive tutorial series, you should be able to explain how the short story draws on and transforms source material from the original myth.
This tutorial is the second in a two-part series. Click HERE to launch Part One.
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorials
In Part Two of this two-part series, read more excerpts from Bram Stoker’s famous novel Dracula. You'll continue to examine how the author creates suspense using the narrative techniques of exposition, foreshadowing, and imagery.
Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part One.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Read excerpts from Bram Stoker’s famous novel Dracula. In this interactive tutorial, you'll examine how the author creates suspense using the narrative techniques of exposition, foreshadowing, and imagery.
Make sure to complete both parts of this series! Click HERE to launch Part Two.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Read and study excerpts from Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia to analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding the selection of the narrator, where the story is set, and how the main character is introduced and developed.
This interactive English Language Arts tutorial is Part Three of three. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.
- PART ONE -- Analyzing the Impact of an Author's Choices
- PART TWO -- Analyzing the Impact of an Author's Choicesn Author's Choices
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Analyze the impact of an author's choices using excerpts from Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia. In this series of interactive tutorials, you'll analyze the impact of an author's choices regarding the selection of the narrator, where the story is set, and how the main character is introduced and developed.
This is the second tutorial in a three-part series. Make sure to complete all three parts. Click below to open the other tutorials in this series.
- PART ONE -- Analyzing the Impact of an Author's Choices
- PART THREE -- Analyzing the Impact of an Author's Choices
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Read and study excerpts from Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia to analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding the selection of the narrator, the setting, and how the main character is introduced and developed.
This interactive tutorial is Part One of three-part series. Click below to open the other tutorials in the series.
- PART TWO -- Analyzing the Impact of an Author's Choices
- PART THREE -- Analyzing the Impact of an Author's Choices
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Examine the topics of transformation and perfection as you read excerpts from the “Myth of Pygmalion” by Ovid and the short story “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. By the end of this two-part interactive tutorial series, you should be able to explain how the short story draws on and transforms source material from the original myth.
This tutorial is the second in a two-part series. Click HERE to launch Part One.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Examine the topics of transformation and perfection as you read excerpts from the “Myth of Pygmalion” by Ovid and the short story “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. By the end of this two-part interactive tutorial series, you should be able to explain how the short story draws on and transforms source material from the original myth.
This tutorial is the first in a two-part series. Click HERE to launch Part Two.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
This tutorial is Part One of a two-part series. In Part One, you'll learn about the use of plot twists and their impact on a text. In this interactive tutorial, you'll examine two ways authors often create plot twists within a story. Reading excerpts from the short story "The Interlopers," you'll analyze and explain how the author creates several plot twists in the story by purposely setting and disrupting expectations for readers.
After completing Part One, click HERE for Part Two.
Type: Original Student Tutorial