Exploring Points of View in Literature
Overview
Exploring Points of View in Literature Lesson Plan
Lesson TItle/Objective/Materials Needed
Lesson Title: Exploring Points of View in Literature
Objective: Students will analyze how authors develop and contrast the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.
Materials Needed:
- Short stories or excerpts from texts with multiple narrators or characters (e.g., "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton, "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio, or any other appropriate texts)
- Worksheets or graphic organizers for analyzing point of view
- Writing materials
- Projector or whiteboard for class discussion
Procedures
Procedure:
Introduction (10 minutes):
- Begin by discussing with students the concept of point of view in literature. Define first-person, third-person limited, and third-person omniscient perspectives.
- Provide examples from familiar stories or movies to illustrate each type of point of view.
Reading and Analysis (20 minutes):
- Distribute short stories or excerpts that feature different narrators or characters with distinct points of view.
- In pairs or small groups, have students read the texts and identify the perspectives of each character or narrator.
- Encourage students to discuss how each character's perspective shapes their understanding of the story.
Class Discussion (15 minutes):
- Lead a whole-class discussion where groups share their findings. Discuss similarities and differences in how characters perceive events and other characters based on their individual points of view.
- Guide students to analyze how the author's choice of point of view influences the reader's understanding and emotions.
Independent Practice (15 minutes):
- Assign students a short passage from a different text or the same text (if longer) to read independently.
- Have students complete a graphic organizer or worksheet where they identify the points of view of different characters or narrators and analyze how these perspectives contribute to the story's development.
Closure (10 minutes):
- Review key concepts about point of view and discuss why understanding different perspectives is important in literature and in life.
- Allow students to share any insights or questions they have about the lesson content.
Assessment/Extension
Assessment:
- Evaluate students' understanding through their participation in class discussions, completion of the graphic organizer or worksheet, and their ability to articulate how point of view affects the story.
Extension Activities:
- Have students write a short narrative from the perspective of a minor character in a story they have read, focusing on how changing the point of view alters the narrative.
- Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the perspectives of two different characters in the same text.