Donna Petherbridge eci 511, Comprehensive Unit Plan, Summer II, 2003

Rationale: 

Literature allows us to vicariously experience a variety of human dilemmas.  Through reading we 

discover the consequences of choice and the rewards of wise behavior.  But skillful authors rarely 

present their insights about the human condition in an explicit manner.  Rather, we are to enjoy the 

writer’s craft as we search for clues as to what the author believes about life. 

 

Assignment:

  You are to write an essay in which you state the author’s theme and prove that theme 

with evidence from the text.  Your thesis should express the theme and explain how the author conveys 

that theme.  Keep in mind; your task is to analyze not just what the author believes but how he makes 

that belief clear to the reader.  The author may have used characterization, setting, plot sequence, a 

system of symbols, point of view or narrator, imagery, or a combination to make his beliefs somewhat 

clear to the reader. 

 

Procedure:

  As was done in class, generate a list of topics from the literature [you may do all of the 

brainstorming activities on your computer!!!]: