Lesson Plan for Grade 11 - Language Arts - Literary Criticism

### Lesson Plan: Introduction to Literary Criticism **Grade Level:** 11 **Subject:** Language Arts **Duration:** 90 minutes **Topic:** Introduction to Literary Criticism --- #### Objectives: 1. Students will understand the purpose and different types of literary criticism. 2. Students will be able to identify key features of various literary criticism approaches. 3. Students will apply a particular type of literary criticism to a given text. --- #### Materials Needed: - Copies of a short literary text (e.g., a poem or short story) for analysis - Literary Criticism Handout (explaining various approaches) - Whiteboard and markers - Projector and computer for presentation (optional) - Notebooks and pens for student notes --- #### Standards: - **RL.11-12.1:** Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. - **RL.11-12.5:** Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text contribute to its overall structure and meaning. - **W.11-12.1:** Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. --- #### Lesson Procedures: ##### Introduction (10 minutes): 1. **Hook:** Begin with a discussion question: "What makes a book or poem 'good' or 'bad'?" Invite several students to share their opinions. 2. **Objective Overview:** Introduce the concept of literary criticism and its importance in analyzing texts, explaining that it helps us delve deeper into a text’s meaning and value. ##### Direct Instruction (25 minutes): 3. **Presentation:** Use a brief PowerPoint or lecture to outline the main types of literary criticism: - **Formalism/New Criticism:** Focus on structure, form, and literary devices. - **Historical/Biographical Criticism:** Examining the author’s life and historical context. - **Marxist Criticism:** Analyzing class struggles, economic issues, and societal structures. - **Feminist Criticism:** Exploring themes related to gender and power dynamics. - **Psychological/Psychoanalytic Criticism:** Inferring deeper psychological motivations in characters or authorship. - **Reader-Response Criticism:** Considering the reader’s reception and interpretation. 4. **Handout Review:** Distribute and review the Literary Criticism Handout with key points for each type. ##### Guided Practice (20 minutes): 5. **Group Activity:** - Divide students into small groups (3-4 per group). - Assign each group a different type of literary criticism. - Provide each group with a short literary text (e.g., Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”). - Ask groups to analyze the text using their assigned approach and prepare a brief presentation on their findings. ##### Independent Practice (25 minutes): 6. **Individual Analysis:** - Students will choose a text they’ve read (either from the class curriculum or independently). - Each student will write a one-page analysis of their chosen text using one of the literary criticism methods discussed. ##### Conclusion (10 minutes): 7. **Group Presentations:** - Allow groups to present their analysis results. - Facilitate a class discussion comparing the different perspectives and what each approach reveals about the text. 8. **Reflection:** Ask students to write a brief reflection on which type of literary criticism they found most interesting or useful and why. ##### Assessment: - **Formative:** Observe group discussions and presentations for understanding of key concepts. - **Summative:** Review the one-page individual analyses for comprehension and correct application of literary criticism. --- #### Homework: - **Reading Assignment:** Assign a longer text (e.g., a novel or play) for upcoming lessons. - **Journal Entry:** Reflect on how literary criticism might change their reading habits or perspectives on literature. --- #### Extensions and Modifications: 1. **Extensions:** Encourage advanced students to explore intersectional approaches combining multiple criticisms. 2. **Modifications:** Provide additional support and simplified handouts for ELL students or others needing differentiation. --- #### Reflection: After the lesson, evaluate student engagement and understanding. Consider anonymous student feedback for continuous improvement. --- This lesson plan aims to introduce Grade 11 students to the foundational concepts of literary criticism and provide practical opportunities to apply these concepts.