How do our perceptions limit and strengthen us?
- Life of Pi, Yan Martel
- Big Fish, Daniel Wallace; Tim Burton
Unit I - Close Reading (3-4 Weeks)
Texts: Life of Pi, This I Believe, selected poetry
During this unit, we will focus on developing close reading skills to build your analysis of prose and poetry.
Part I: Analyzing Life of Pi
We will begin with your summer reading novel, Life of Pi, which we will use to introduce close reading strategies for fiction. The key element we will focus on is how Martel uses setting to develop themes and characters in his novel.
Learning Objectives
In-Class Essay
During the first week of school, you will write a timed essay, which will provide diagnostic information about your writing skills and demonstrate your completion of the summer reading assignment. You will have the opportunity to revise the essay after receiving feedback and completing class discussions of the text.
Setting Analyses
A focus on setting guides our close reading (or rereading) of sections of Life of Pi. You will select descriptive passages (approximately one page long each) and explore Martel’s use of setting details (imagery, symbolism) and characterization to create a tone and build meaning.
Process Writing Assignment
You will write a one-page analysis of each of the five passages you select. We will complete the first of these as a model in class. You will write the second one on your own. Taking into consideration the feedback you receive on this first independent effort, you will then write three others. You will also have the opportunity to revise your first independent analysis.
Texts: Life of Pi, This I Believe, selected poetry
During this unit, we will focus on developing close reading skills to build your analysis of prose and poetry.
Part I: Analyzing Life of Pi
We will begin with your summer reading novel, Life of Pi, which we will use to introduce close reading strategies for fiction. The key element we will focus on is how Martel uses setting to develop themes and characters in his novel.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze the social, cultural, and historical significance of the various settings to deepen comprehension of Life of Pi
- Analyze how changes in setting function as metaphors and reinforce the developments in characters, plot, and themes
- Analyze how plot developments produce psychological dilemmas for the main character
- Analyze how the relationships between Pi Patel and other characters portray both the complexity of the characters as well as Pi’s psychological development
- Analyze how connections among motifs, setting, and character traits suggest multiple themes
- Analyze how point of view influences the interpretation of events, characters, and themes
In-Class Essay
During the first week of school, you will write a timed essay, which will provide diagnostic information about your writing skills and demonstrate your completion of the summer reading assignment. You will have the opportunity to revise the essay after receiving feedback and completing class discussions of the text.
Setting Analyses
A focus on setting guides our close reading (or rereading) of sections of Life of Pi. You will select descriptive passages (approximately one page long each) and explore Martel’s use of setting details (imagery, symbolism) and characterization to create a tone and build meaning.
Process Writing Assignment
You will write a one-page analysis of each of the five passages you select. We will complete the first of these as a model in class. You will write the second one on your own. Taking into consideration the feedback you receive on this first independent effort, you will then write three others. You will also have the opportunity to revise your first independent analysis.