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.
Stephen Crane is one of those authors revered for his use of winding language and vivid imagery. Using an excerpt from The Red Badge of Courage, students can depict, explain, and discuss important quotes from the text, and analyze the author’s use of style and word choice to enhance meaning.
The din in front swelled to a tremendous chorus. The youth and his fellows were frozen to silence. They could see a flag that tossed in the smoke angrily. Near it were the blurred and agitated forms of troops. There came a turbulent stream of men across the fields. A battery changing position at a frantic gallop scattered the stragglers right and left… The battle flag in the distance jerked about madly. It seemed to be struggling to free itself from agony. The billowing smoke was filled with horizontal flashes. Men rushing swiftly emerged from it. They grew in numbers until it was seen that the whole command was fleeing. The flag suddenly sank down as if dying. Its motion as it fell was a gesture of despair.
| T | TONE |
urgent, vivid, sincere |
|---|---|---|
| W | WORD CHOICE |
tossed, angrily, turbulent stream, frantic, jerked, madly, struggling, agony, dying, despair |
| I | IMAGERY |
The flag suddenly sank down as if dying. Its motion as it fell was a gesture of despair. |
| S | STYLE |
The passage is written in quick, staccato-like sentences, like the orders given by a commander or a newspaper reporter writing about his observations. The imagery is vivid and gives a picture of men swarming about through the smoke with the flag being the only observable figure in the melee. |
| T | THEME |
The action of the battle is coupled with the struggle of the flag which highlights the struggle of the men below it. The flag itself becomes a soldier struggling in the battle, and signals the loss of the men as it sinks. |
(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 Red Badge of Courage. Remember that TWIST stands for Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, Theme.
Encourage students to share their TWIST findings in small groups or whole-class discussions. Collaborative analysis allows students to hear diverse perspectives, strengthens comprehension, and builds confidence in literary response.
Demonstrate your thought process by analyzing a short passage aloud. Verbalizing each TWIST element helps students see how to break down complex text and clarifies expectations for their own work.
Pair students and have them exchange their TWIST analyses. Providing and receiving peer feedback deepens understanding and helps students refine their interpretations.
Display anchor charts or graphic organizers outlining each part of TWIST. Clear visual references keep students focused and provide ongoing support as they practice analysis.
A TWIST analysis is a method for examining a literary passage by focusing on its Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, and Theme. This approach helps students dig deeper into an author’s techniques and the meaning behind specific excerpts.
To teach TWIST analysis with The Red Badge of Courage, select a key passage and have students identify and discuss the tone, word choice, imagery, style, and theme. Encourage them to use storyboards and cite textual evidence to support their analysis.
Look for passages with vivid imagery and intense emotion, such as battle scenes or moments of internal conflict. For example, the excerpt describing the flag’s struggle and the chaos of battle is ideal for TWIST analysis because it highlights Crane’s use of language and symbolism.
TWIST analysis engages high school students by breaking down complex texts into manageable elements. It fosters critical thinking, close reading, and the ability to interpret literary devices, making literature more accessible and meaningful.
First, choose a passage. Next, identify and illustrate each element of TWIST: Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, Theme. Write explanations for each part, finalize visuals if using storyboards, then proofread and submit the assignment.