Title: Comparing and Contrasting Two Literary Works

Grade Level: 9th-12th grade

Objective: - Students will be able to compare and contrast two literary works by identifying similarities and differences in theme, plot, characters, and writing style. - Students will develop critical thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of different literary techniques used in the works. - Students will improve their writing skills by composing a well-structured compare and contrast essay.

Materials: - Two literary works (short stories, poems, or excerpts from novels) with similar themes or genres - Graphic organizers for comparing and contrasting - Writing paper or computers for drafting and finalizing the essay - Rubric for assessment

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes) - Begin the lesson by discussing the concept of compare and contrast. Explain that it involves identifying similarities and differences between two or more things. - Provide examples of everyday situations where comparison and contrast are used (e.g., comparing two different brands of smartphones, contrasting two different vacation destinations). - Explain that today, students will be comparing and contrasting two literary works.

2. Pre-reading Activity (15 minutes) - Introduce the two literary works that will be compared and contrasted. Provide a brief summary of each work and highlight their similarities and differences. - Distribute graphic organizers for comparing and contrasting. Instruct students to fill in the organizers with any prior knowledge they have about the works, including themes, characters, and writing style.

3. Reading and Analysis (30 minutes) - Have students read the first literary work independently or in small groups. - After reading, facilitate a class discussion to analyze the work. Ask students to identify the main theme, plot points, and key characters. Encourage them to discuss the author’s writing style and any literary techniques used. - Repeat the process for the second literary work.

4. Comparison and Contrast (20 minutes) - Instruct students to use the graphic organizers to compare and contrast the two literary works. They should identify similarities and differences in theme, plot, characters, and writing style. - Encourage students to think critically and analyze the effectiveness of different literary techniques used in each work. How do these techniques contribute to the overall impact of the works?

5. Essay Writing (40 minutes) - Review the structure of a compare and contrast essay: introduction, body paragraphs (one for each point of comparison), and conclusion. - Provide a sample thesis statement that highlights the main points of comparison and contrast. - Instruct students to use their graphic organizers to draft their essays. Remind them to include evidence from the texts to support their claims. - Circulate the classroom to provide guidance and support as needed.

6. Peer Review and Revision (20 minutes) - Pair students up and have them exchange essays for peer review. - Instruct students to provide constructive feedback on the organization, clarity, and use of evidence in their partner’s essay. - After receiving feedback, students should revise and edit their essays accordingly.

7. Finalizing the Essay (15 minutes) - Instruct students to make any necessary revisions based on the peer review feedback. - Have students type or write their final essays, ensuring they follow proper formatting and citation guidelines.

8. Conclusion (5 minutes) - Wrap up the lesson by discussing the importance of comparing and contrasting in literature and in everyday life. - Allow students to share any insights or discoveries they made during the lesson.

Assessment: - Use the provided rubric to assess students’ compare and contrast essays, focusing on their ability to identify and analyze similarities and differences, use evidence from the texts, and present their ideas in a well-structured manner.