Another great way to engage your students is through the creation of storyboards that examine Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, and Theme. This activity is referred to with the acronym “TWIST”. In a TWIST, students focus on a particular paragraph or a few pages, to look deeper at the author’s meaning.
Using an excerpt from Marvin’s reaction to seeing Earth for the first time, students can depict, explain, and discuss what the impact of this pilgrimage will be, while getting a good idea of the author's voice.
It was beautiful, and it called to his heart across the abyss of space. There in that shining crescent were all the wonders that he had never known—the hues of sunset skies, the moaning of the sea on pebbled shores, the patter of falling rain, the unhurried benison of snow. These and a thousand others should have been his rightful heritage, but he knew them only from the books and ancient records, and the thought filled him with the anguish of exile.
| T | TONE | Marvin is in despair. He knows that Earth holds many wonders that he should have been able to experience, but he will never be able to. |
|---|---|---|
| W | WORD CHOICE |
abyss, wonders, hues, unhurried, anguish, exile |
| I | IMAGERY |
"... the hues of sunset skies, the moaning of the sea on pebbled shores, the patter of falling rain, the unhurried benison of snow." |
| S | STYLE |
The author uses a very descriptive narrative of the beauty of Earth that Marvin will only ever know from afar: it is a shining crescent with many wonders. The fact that Marvin will never see any of it in person fills him with anguish. |
| T | THEME |
This passage highlights the unfairness for Marvin that is a direct result of humanity’s own failure. What should have been his rightful heritage will never be something he can have because of the carelessness with which nuclear weapons were used. |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Perform a TWIST analysis of a selection from "If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth…". Remember that TWIST stands for Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, Theme.
Foster student engagement by assigning each group a different part of the story and a TWIST component. Collaboration encourages deeper exploration and helps students learn from each other’s perspectives.
Boost participation by having students take on specific roles such as note-taker, illustrator, or presenter. This ensures everyone is involved and helps the group work efficiently.
Support all learners by offering prompts like “The author’s word choice suggests…” or “This imagery makes me feel…”. Sentence starters build confidence and help students articulate their ideas clearly.
Encourage active listening by letting groups display their TWIST analyses and rotate to see classmates’ work. Gallery walks promote discussion and spark new insights about the text.
A TWIST analysis is a strategy for examining a literary passage by focusing on Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, and Theme. This method helps students dig deeper into the author's meaning and literary techniques.
To teach TWIST analysis with "If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth…", select a powerful excerpt, guide students to identify examples of tone, word choice, imagery, style, and theme, and have them create storyboards or written responses explaining each element.
The tone is often despairing and reflective, as seen when Marvin realizes Earth's beauty is lost to him. Imagery includes phrases like "the hues of sunset skies" and "the moaning of the sea on pebbled shores," which paint a vivid picture of Earth's lost wonders.
TWIST analysis encourages students to examine a text closely, build analytical skills, and connect literary techniques to themes. It is especially useful for grades 6-12, fostering critical reading and deeper comprehension.
Students should: 1) Select a passage; 2) Identify and illustrate examples of tone, word choice, imagery, style, and theme; 3) Write brief explanations; and 4) Review and finalize their work for clarity and accuracy.