Another great way to engage your students is through the creation of storyboards that asks your students to find Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, and Theme. This activity is called a TWIST (an acronym for the above literary elements). In a TWIST students focus on a particular paragraph or few pages to look deeper at the author’s true meaning.
Using any paragraph of “The Birthmark”, students can examine, depict, explain, and foreshadow what will happen in the story while getting a good idea of the tone of the story.
The crimson hand expressed the ineludible gripe in which mortality clutches the highest and purest of 6 earthly mould, degrading them into kindred with the lowest, and even with the very brutes, like whom their visible frames return to dust. In this manner, selecting it as the symbol of his wife's liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death, Aylmer's sombre imagination was not long in rendering the birthmark a frightful object, causing him more trouble and horror than ever Georgiana's beauty, whether of soul or sense, had given him delight.
| T | TONE | Disgusted: Aylmer has a grotesque fascination with Georgiana’s birthmark. Instead of seeing it as a mark of uniqueness, he sees it as an imperfection. |
|---|---|---|
| W | WORD CHOICE |
Degregating, ineludible, sin, sorrow, death, decay, sombre, frightening, trouble, horror |
| I | IMAGERY |
“The crimson hand expressed the ineludible gripe in which mortality clutches the highest and purest of 6 earthly mould...” The sight of the birthmark reminds Aylmer of Georgiana’s near perfection. |
| S | STYLE |
The narrator uses particular imagery and word choice in his description to illustrate Aylmer’s disdain and disappointment in Georgiana’s lack of perfection. |
| T | THEME |
Since Hawthorne was a Puritan writer it is important for the reader to look at the morals and theme that Hawthorne as a Christian was trying to express. A possible interpretation for this short passage is that man is flawed and sinful. The lack of perfection he sees in Georgiana is in fact the imperfection in man. |
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Student Instructions
Perform a TWIST analysis of a selection from “The Birthmark”. Remember that TWIST stands for Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, Theme.
Adapt the TWIST framework to fit grades 2–8 by simplifying the concepts and using age-appropriate language. Breaking down each TWIST element into kid-friendly definitions helps students understand and connect with the story more easily.
Choose a brief, vivid paragraph from “The Birthmark” that is easy for younger students to read. Short passages prevent students from feeling overwhelmed and allow them to focus on one idea at a time.
Prompt students with specific questions about Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, and Theme. Use guiding questions like, “How does this part make you feel?” or “What words stand out?” to support comprehension.
Invite students to draw or create simple storyboards for each TWIST element. Visual activities help younger learners express their understanding and make analysis more engaging.
Lead a class discussion where students share their ideas and visuals. This builds confidence, deepens understanding, and lets students learn from each other’s perspectives.
TWIST analysis is a method where students examine a literary passage focusing on Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, and Theme to uncover deeper meaning and author intent.
To perform a TWIST analysis on "The Birthmark," select a paragraph and identify its tone, pinpoint impactful word choices, describe imagery, analyze the style and writing techniques, and interpret the theme Hawthorne conveys.
Using TWIST, common themes in "The Birthmark" include man's imperfection, the dangers of obsession with perfection, and the inevitability of mortality.
TWIST analysis helps high school students break down complex texts by focusing on key literary elements, making it easier to understand deeper meanings and improve critical thinking skills.
For teaching TWIST analysis, provide concrete examples, encourage visual storyboarding, let students choose their own passages, and facilitate discussion on each literary element to support comprehension.