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Section 2: Overview

Exploring Characterization, Tone, and Theme

We will expand our exploration of literary elements and narrative techniques by examining how authors use precise and descriptive language to develop characterization, tone, and theme. We will continue reading The Book of Unknown Americans and will analyze the poem “Immigrants in Our Own Land” in order to compare the themes in the two texts. We will apply our learning by writing a brief narrative emulating the elements and techniques we have studied.

  • Lesson 1:

    We will continue to analyze The Book of Unknown Americans, as well as a painting by Diego Rivera, to deepen our understanding of characterization in literary text.

  • Lesson 2:

    We will examine relationships among literary elements and how they interact to develop meaning.

  • Lesson 3:

    We will collaborate with peers to analyze the poem “Immigrants in Our Own Land” in order to deepen our understanding of how authors use literary elements and narrative techniques to illuminate meaning and themes.

  • Lesson 4:

    We will work with partners to identify themes in The Book of Unknown Americans in order to deepen our understanding of how authors use literary elements and narrative techniques to illuminate meaning and themes.

  • Lesson 5:

    We will prepare for the Section 2 Diagnostic by reviewing and synthesizing our notes into planning materials.

  • Lesson 6:

    We will respond to Part 1 of the Section 2 Diagnostic prompt: How does the use of purposeful and descriptive language help authors communicate experiences, events, character traits, tone, setting, and theme in a story?

  • Lesson 7:

    We will respond to Part 2 of the Section 2 Diagnostic prompt, using what we have learned about characterization, word choice, and tone in narrative text to write an original narrative paragraph.

  • Lesson 8:

    We will review feedback on the Section Diagnostic. We will use the feedback to make revisions to our work.

  • Lesson 9:

    We will share the understanding we have gained through our independent reading and continue reading our texts.