MIND MAP: ENG3U- Examining Short Narrative Fiction
Part A: FILL in the ACCOMPANYING CHART. It will form part of your individual mark.
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the story. Cover the major plot events (inciting incident, climax, resolution).
2. a. Setting: Identify time and place. Write out phrases defining place and powerful imagery related to place/time. Remember, time includes the seasons, times of day, the historical era, the social world, the cultural setting.
b. Find and quote ONE passage of powerful imagery that helps create emotion. Identify the emotion that the reader feels and underline the words in the passage that are important in creating this emotion. Pick out the ONE more example of diction (specific phrases or words) that establish the ‘emotional world’ for the literary work. Often, descriptive detail can provoke an emotional response in the reader that helps set up certain expectations.
3. Atmosphere/Mood: Pick out the diction (specific phrases or words) that establish the ‘emotional aura’ for the literary work. Often, descriptive detail can provoke an emotional response in the reader that helps set up certain expectations.
4. Imagery and figurative language: Look for powerful use of language: metaphors, similes, other figurative language, powerful images, recurring images, image clusters, and variations of a single image (ie. water, rivers, rain, wash water, tears). Look for possible symbols, parallels, etc. ASK: How are these images related to each other (ie is a certain character associated with a cluster of images)
5. Identify the central symbol used in the story. Explain what it represents and why it is significant.
6. Look for relationships between characters, between character and setting/atmosphere, and between characters and symbols, between characters and the conflicts surrounding/generated by them; which thematic issues are associated in these setting/situations by those characters. Who is associated with what?
7. CONNECT TO YOUR WORLD: How does the big picture of this narrative touch on things I have experienced, or observed in my own world? Again, think beyond the set of events – ASK, why. Why tell this story, this way, in this place with these people? How can I connect with the ideas raised in this text?
8. Identify theme topics - Consider the issues raised within text (injustice, power, love, integrity…)
9. Write a theme statement:
Part B: Once you have finished the analysis chart, find a partner, and then, partner up with another pair to form a group of FOUR.
TASK: Create a mind map and use it to teach the class about your story.
WHAT IS A MIND MAP!!???? Well, a mind map illustrates the ways in which ideas are related to each other. It shows, visually, how the ideas and components of the story are all connected. It uses symbols, arrows, lines, colour, and key words to convey these connections.
STEP 1: In the very centre of your mind map, there should be a large picture of the central symbol from the story with your theme statement beneath it. For instance, a mind map of Lord of the Flies could have a picture of the conch, and beneath it, the sentence “without respect for a truly civilized order, society will deteriorate and become inhuman.”
IMAGES SURROUNDING THE CENTRAL SYMBOL AND THEME STATEMENT
STEP 2: Decide on a separate VISUAL SYMBOL for the most important CHARACTER in the story. For this character, choose a symbol that conveys her/his most important TRAIT. Include a QUOTATION from the story that is evidence of this trait. Label the visual symbol with the trait and character name. Place the quotation under each visual symbol.
STEP 3: THREE IMAGES from the story. You must show:
a) one image that depicts or represents the central conflict + a supporting quotation
b) one image that represents the climax + a supporting quotation
c) one image that depicts the prevailing atmosphere + a supporting quotation with diction underlined
d) LABEL EACH image clearly.
STEP 4: EVERY member of the group must be able to explain all of the elements of the mind map.
When your group teaches the story, EACH member of the group must discuss ONE of the IMAGES on the mind map and explain HOW it contributes to the theme.
· Your group must discuss how the character, climax, conflict, and atmosphere relate to the central symbol and the theme of the story.