Juxtaposition, Research, Fathers, Visual Motifs--Writing a Literary Analysis of Maus (Day 1 of 2)

Today is the second day of presentations.  Students are presenting on a event in their life time that they believe will have a lasting impact on their community, nation or the world. The students have worked in groups to answer the question: do all families bleed history. The subtitle of Maus is My Father Bleeds History.  They researched their topic using multiple sources to create a coherent presentation (CCSS SL 9-10 4). The goal of this project is for students to realize that the events that are happening now will shape their lifestyle in the future. I assess these presentations using a group presentation rubric. 

Today's presentation focuses on long-term impact of pop culture.  Embrace your inner fanboy or fangirl, it is time for Death Star News.

It is hard to get excited for a lecture; sometimes it is even more difficult to get the class focused and interested in a lecture, so I try to keep the introduction to literary analysis as short and interactive as possible. I try to illicit questions and responses from the students that engages them in the lecture. I want students to ask questions and help to guide the progression of information on writing a literary analysis (CCSS SL 9-10. 1).  I have specific information about literary analysis to share with the students lecturing is the most effective and least time consuming way to make sure all students have the same reference information.  As the students work on their literary analysis, I can differentiate the needs of individual students and provide the appropriate support. 

First, I ask the students, "What is Literary Analysis?" I want them to really understand the difference between analysis and summary.  For my sophomores, it is fine line.   I share with them the following definition and ask, "What does this mean?"

After about 30 seconds of silence, I admit to my students that I don't understand it either.  Then I give them another definition (see below)  and pose the same question.

The last slide on the introduction to literary analysis powerpoint is the four prompt choices. All the prompts connect to something we explored in depth during our discussion of the graphic novel.  After I read the prompts to the students, I tell them to take a few minutes and discuss with their group about which prompt they want to use for their essay. The groups can choose the prompt that most interests them or plays to the strength of the group. When students have a choice, they have a greater sense of ownership of the topic. Writing the essay is not an imposition it is the option they choose.

We have worked on breaking down prompts in prior activities.  I do not give them specific directions beyond asking them to break down the prompts and, as a group, choose the prompt the group will write on.  I want to see if they can apply the skills necessary to figure out the prompt without me guiding they through the process. 

Once they choose a prompt, they begin working on the pre-writing and planning sheet for the Maus collaborative essay (CCSS W 9-10 5). Before they leave, they need to develop a working thesis. Students have to explore the various claims and counterclaims that could lead to a response to the prompt in order to develop a working thesis (CCSS W 9-10 1b).  Their homework is to identify examples from the text to support their claim. 

Once the students have completed the pre-writing and planning sheet, each group member should know which section of the essay they are responsible for writing. Their homework is to find textual evidence that will support their section of the essay and explain how the evidence supports their working claim.  

Next class, they will share their evidence and work with their groups to choose the best evidence and how best to organize it in their essay.