Title of Project: The Great Gatsby Character Analysis

Subject(s): American Literature

Grade Level(s): 11
Abstract:
Students will create character analysis based on characters from the novel, The Great Gatsby. Students will
exemplify their knowledge of all characters assuming the actual characters via their twitter accounts. Students will
demonstrate the voices of their assigned characters and will make a post after every chapter.
Learner Description/Context:
Students are primarily high school juniors that are studying American Literature. Students will have access to
computer labs on a daily basis. Although for the duration of this lesson, classes will alternate between the classroom
and the computer lab. Students will be allowed to use their smart phones to complete posts and alter profiles. Most
of my students have access to smart phones, but for the few that dont, we will go to the computer lab for the days
that we will be making posts.
Time Frame: This project will last approximately 5 weeks.
Standards Assessed:
What content standards are you going to address?
ELACC11- 12RI1:
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences
drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
ELACC11- 12W1:

a. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the
claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
ELACC11-12W3:
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details,
and well-structured event sequences

a. Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation and its significance,
establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth
progression of experiences or events.

b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to
develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
ELACC11-12W4:

Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task,
purpose, and audience. (Grade specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
ELACC11-12L
4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 11-12
reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Learner Objectives:
Students will be able to correctly analyze characters from the novel The Great Gatsby. Students will be able to make
modern day connections to society, as well as connections to their own lives. Students will be able to use the skills
they have gained on future novels.
The hook or Introduction:
Do you often want to be in the shoes of characters we learn about in novels? Would you believe me if I told you that
it is possible? Every day, people reveal bits of information about their own character through their personal twitter
and Instagram pages. You will demonstrate your understanding of novel characters by maintaining a twitter profile
for an assigned character. Place yourself in the shoes of this character and create posts based on events that unfold in
the chapters we read.
Process:
Week 1- Students will be assigned groups of 4 or 5. Students may pick their own characters, or characters will be
assigned to them depending upon the class. Students will create a twitter account for their given character. After
reading chapter 5, students will create three posts on twitter for their character. Posts will answer the questions, how
was the character affected by the events? What was the characters role in the events? How does the character feel
about the events? Do the events affect the character positively or negatively? Posts can also consist of picture posts
that represent the characters feelings. Students will record text evidence that support the twitter posts. For example,
students will
Product:
Students that will create and maintain a twitter account posing as a character from the novel, The Great Gatsby.
Students will use this project to gain a deeper understanding of the characters, thus better understanding the meaning
behind the novel. Although students wont create a twitter account for every time they do a character analysis, they
will be able to use the skills theyve learned in future pieces of literature. Students will be assessed on accuracy of
tweets, references to the novel, and timeliness.