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 The Declaration of Independence, students can depict, explain, and discuss what the purpose of the document is, while analyzing Jefferson’s voice.
Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must therefore acquiesce to the necessity which denounces our separation and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.
| T | TONE | Jefferson’s tone in explaining that appeals made to the British citizens have failed, too, is forthright, authoritative, and sincere. |
|---|---|---|
| W | WORD CHOICE |
warned, reminded, appealed, conjured, deaf, enemies |
| I | IMAGERY |
"They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity.” |
| S | STYLE |
Jefferson’s approach to these many appeals to British brethren is logical. He outlines each step the colonists have taken, and then ends with how the British citizens have turned their backs on the colonists. |
| T | THEME |
This passage highlights that the colonists have not only been abandoned by their king, but by their fellow English citizens. The passage shows the colonists’ sense of abandonment, and then their resolve: either you are with us, or against us. |
(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 The Declaration of Independence. Remember that TWIST stands for Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, Theme.
Foster teamwork by having students work in groups to analyze different passages using the TWIST method. This approach encourages discussion, multiple perspectives, and deeper understanding.
Select key excerpts from The Declaration of Independence and assign each group a different section. This allows for focused analysis and ensures broad coverage of the document.
Have each student in a group take responsibility for one element of TWIST (Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, Theme). This gives everyone a chance to contribute and become an expert on their element.
Ask groups to present their TWIST findings to the class, then encourage peers to ask questions or offer insights. This builds confidence and reinforces comprehension through teaching.
Lead a discussion about how different groups interpreted the same text differently. This emphasizes that close reading can yield multiple valid perspectives and deepens collective learning.
TWIST analysis is a method for examining Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, and Theme in a text. When applied to the Declaration of Independence, it helps students dive deeper into Jefferson’s language and the document’s purpose by breaking down its literary elements.
To teach TWIST analysis, introduce each element (Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, Theme) with examples, then guide students to analyze a selected passage. Encourage them to use visuals, write short descriptions, and discuss findings in individual or group settings.
Key word choices in the Declaration include terms like warned, reminded, appealed, conjured, deaf, enemies. Powerful imagery appears in lines such as “They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity,” illustrating the colonists’ sense of abandonment.
Analyzing tone and theme reveals the author’s intent and emotional impact. In the Declaration of Independence, understanding these elements helps students grasp the colonists’ feelings and motivations, deepening their historical comprehension.
Try activities like storyboarding each TWIST element, having students illustrate key phrases, or group discussions on Jefferson’s language. These hands-on approaches make TWIST analysis engaging and accessible for grades 6–12.