Activities

1. Identify the theme of a modern work of fiction.
   
   
2. Identify the plot structure of a modern work of fiction.
   
   
3. Identify various character types in a modern work of fiction.
   
   
4. Identify common themes, patterns of events, and character types in myths and other traditional stories.

5. Describe, with text evidence, how an author of a modern work of fiction conveys a similar theme to a traditional story or myth.
   
   
6. Compare the events and characters in a modern work of fiction to similar elements in a myth or other traditional story.

7. Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths and traditional stories.
   
   
8. Evaluate the extent to which a modern work of fiction drawing on themes, events or, characters of traditional stories both transforms and remains true to the source material.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Student identifies the theme of a modern work of fiction. The theme is a message or lesson an author conveys through a story. Themes are often connected to common human experiences or understandings. For example, “hard work results in success” may be identified as a common theme.
   
   
2. Student identifies the plot structure of a modern work of fiction. A plot structure is the pattern of events organized by an author. Common narrative plot structures include exposition, rising action, conflict, climax, falling action, and resolution. Authors may arrange events in a literary text to create tension, build suspense, or to develop humor.
   
   
3. Student identifies various character types in a modern work of fiction. Character types include, but are not limited to, protagonist, antagonist, hero, antihero, and villain.
   
   
4. Student identifies common themes, patterns of events, and character types in myths and other traditional stories. The student uses direct evidence from myths or other traditional stories to identify the narrative plot structure, the message or theme, and common character types.
   
   
5. Student describes, with text evidence, how an author of a modern work of fiction conveys a similar theme to a traditional story or myth. The description includes evidence from both the modern work of fiction and the traditional story to discuss the common message present in both texts. For example, accepting a painful fate is a theme shared by both the traditional myth of Sisyphus and the modern work The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
   
   
6. Student compares the events and characters in a modern work of fiction to similar elements in a myth or other traditional story. Student may use a Venn diagram or other organizing structure to compare similar elements in a modern work of fiction and a myth or other traditional story.
   
   
7. Student analyses how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths and traditional stories. The analysis identifies similarities and differences that exist in the themes, plot and characters in a modern work of fiction that drew inspiration from traditional stories or myths.
   
   
8. Student evaluates the extent to which a modern work of fiction drawing on themes, events or, characters of traditional stories both transforms and remains true to the source material. The student’s response correctly identifies story elements in a modern work that remain true to and depart from the traditional source material. Evaluations include a discussion of how source material omitted in the modern work impacts and transforms the meaning established in the source material.