Using a T-Chart is an effective way for students to understand the many differences in style and ideology between literary periods. By graphing categories like values, historical events, style of writing, and common elements, students will make connections and see the progression of culture.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a T-Chart that shows the values, historical events, and literary styles of a culture.
Assign each student two different readings from different literary periods and ask the students to read carefully and analyze each reading in detail. This will provide the basis for differentiation and enhance the critical thinking and reading skills of the students. This can also be done in a pair or group setting to encourage a collaborative learning environment.
Ask the students to analyze the writing structure of each of their assigned pieces. Though the structure can differ from author to author, however, there can be many similar elements among the writings of the same period. Students can examine the differences between the plot structure used in each period and provide their analysis.
Vocabulary is an important part of any writing and language is one of the defining features of any civilization. Ask the students to examine the type of vocabulary and language used in each period and how it is reflected in the writings. This will also help the students analyze a general shift in reading and writing throughout different time periods.
Talk about the application of allegory, symbolism, similes, and metaphors in writing. For instance, to impart religious or moral precepts, for instance, allegory was frequently employed throughout the Colonial era. Similarly, students can compare the use of different literary devices in different time periods.
Ask the students to concentrate on particular components of the writing style by posing questions such as How does the author use language to convey emotions in this passage? or What literary devices do you notice in this text, and how do they contribute to the overall style? Encourage the students to take notes and participate actively in discussions.
Some common examples are Romanticism, which emphasizes emotion, creativity, independence, and a connection to nature, Realism which puts emphasis on the authenticity and detail-oriented portrayal of common people and everyday lives, and Naturalism which includes an investigation of how genetics and environment shape human behavior, which is deterministic in nature. Each of these philosophies shapes the literary movement they are associated with.
The emphasis on capturing urban life, industrialization, and the effects of modernity on people in Realist and Naturalist writing was impacted by these social shifts.
New technology and experimental storytelling approaches were frequently employed by modernist writers, reflecting the quickly