Activity Overview
A great way to engage your students in a text 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 analysis, students focus on a particular paragraph or a few pages, to look deeper at the author’s meaning. This can be used for poems, short stories, and even ideas for graphic novels!
Using an excerpt, students can depict, explain, and discuss the story using a TWIST analysis. To scaffold or tailor this activity, teachers can choose to create images or add text and have students fill in the blanks. They may also choose to select the passage for students to analyze, or provide a word bank to guide students.
TWIST Example for "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
| T | TONE |
Mysterious: Sleepy Hollow is subject to many supernatural happenings |
|---|---|---|
| W | WORD CHOICE |
listless, drowsy, dreamy, sequestered, dreamy, bewitched, witching power, spells, reverie, trances, visions, nightmare |
| I | IMAGERY |
"A drowsy, dreamy influence seems to hang over the land, and to pervade the very atmosphere"; "...spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in a continual reverie"; "...and the nightmare, with her whole ninefold, seems to make it the favorite scene of her gambols" |
| S | STYLE |
Irving takes great care to set the scene of Sleepy Hollow as a spot for supernatural occurrences. He mentions many inexplicable things, from the easily recognizable shooting star, to the nightmare spirit. By providing a wide variety of examples, Irving persuades the reader to be more accepting of the supernatural. |
| T | THEME |
Sleepy Hollow has long been a hotbed for ghosts, spirits, and otherworldly forces. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Complete a TWIST analysis of the story. Remember that TWIST stands for Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, Theme.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose any combination of scenes, characters, items, and text to represent each letter of TWIST.
- Write a few sentences describing the importance or meaning of the images.
- Finalize images, edit, and proofread your work.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/4/3] Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/5/1] Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/5/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TWIST Analysis | Each aspect of TWIST is analyzed thoroughly and thoughtfully. The tone(s) is/are correctly identified and explained and are supported by evidence. The word choice uses a healthy sample of words from the excerpt that are loaded with connotation, associations, or emotional impact. The chosen imagery highlights sense impressions created by the writer and indicates the author's attitude or evokes a particular reaction from the reader. The author's style is discussed in terms of figurative language, point of view, literary techniques, punctuation, etc. The theme identified highlights the meaning of the passage and offers insight, and it is supported by evidence from the text. | Most of the aspects of TWIST are analyzed thoroughly and thoughtfully. In discussing the aspects, the student may have forgotten key evidence, or they may be unclear in their analysis. The student shows a basic understanding of each of the parts of the acronym, but may not apply them fully to the selected passage. | Most aspects of TWIST are provided with basic evidence and quotes from the passage. The student may be able to identify the elements correctly, but not be able to explain them completely or reveal insight. The discussion is rudimentary and/or may seem rushed. | Some aspects of TWIST are missing or too limited to score, or most of the aspects of TWIST are incorrect. The student makes no attempt to reveal insight in his or her analysis. |
| Depictions | The depictions of each aspect of TWIST are accurate to the passage, or provide an interesting, creative, or insightful visual interpretation of the element in the passage. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the depictions of each aspect of TWIST are accurate to the passage, or provide an interesting, creative, or insightful visual interpretation of the element in the passage. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the depictions of each aspect of TWIST are accurate to the passage, but they are minimal. There may be some inaccuracies or evidence that the student strayed from the task at hand. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Some of the depictions of each aspect of TWIST are inaccurate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
How To Discuss Different Types of Literary Styles Used in Novels/ Stories
Introduce the Concept
Begin the lesson by introducing the concept of literary styles to students. Explain how authors use different types of writing styles in order to convey their message and how certain genres require specific types of styles to keep the attention of the readers. Depending on the understanding level of students, teachers can determine the level of detail to be discussed in class.
List Different Types
Once the students are more familiar with the idea of literary styles, teachers can list different types of literary styles such as expository, descriptive, argumentative, journalistic, formal, narrative, informal, etc. Explain each style in detail to students and also tell the students which style is more popular within different genres.
Match the Examples
Teachers can conduct an activity in class where students have to connect the given text with the type of literary style it portrays. This can be done in the form of a worksheet or any other type of graphic organizer. Teachers can also ask the students to give their own examples considering all the literature they are familiar with.
Compare Different Types
Analyze and contrast various literary styles within the same genre or between genres using comparative analysis. Students may benefit from seeing the variety of literary genres through this. Teachers can assign each student a specific literary style and ask them to perform research to collect information and, in the end, all the students can share their insights and conduct a collective comparative analysis.
Promote Self-Reflection
Encourage the students to consider their own preferences and the ways in which the style of an author influences their reading. This can spark intelligent conversations on personal preferences and interpretations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using TWIST Analysis
Can students use TWIST Analysis to analyze and compare different genres?
Yes, TWIST analysis is flexible and works with a range of literary forms, such as poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. The key is to modify the analysis to fit the particular traits of the genre. Conducting this analysis on different genres will help students gain different insights and also help their comparative analysis.
What role does TWIST Analysis play in identifying and analyzing themes present in a narrative?
Ask your students to scan the text for reoccurring themes or concepts using TWIST Analysis. Character growth, story development, and symbolism are common ways that themes are revealed. Their comprehension can be improved by debating and contrasting interpretations.
What part Does imagery play in TWIST Analysis?
Using colorful and evocative language to conjure up mental images is known as imagery. While performing TWIST Analysis, students can talk about the ways that imagery supports themes, adds to the atmosphere, and improves the reader's sensory experience.
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