Unit Plan 20 (Grade 8 ELA): Comparing Texts by the Same Author
8th graders compare two works by the same author to analyze recurring themes, tone, and style. Students trace archetypes reimagined in modern contexts, write comparative essays with clear evidence, and discuss how authors “render old ideas new.”
Focus: Style, recurring themes, and tone across works
Grade Level: 8
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading—Literature; Writing—Informative; Speaking/Listening—Discussion)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Authors leave fingerprints across their works—recurring themes, motifs, character types, and stylistic habits. This week, students compare two short works/excerpts by the same author to analyze style, trace recurring themes/motifs, and evaluate tone choices. They will also consider how the author draws on archetypes/traditional patterns and “renders them new,” then write a concise comparative explanation and engage in purposeful discussion.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Compare how an author treats themes, patterns of events, and character types across two works and explain how earlier/archetypal material is reimagined (RL.8.9).
- Compose a multi-paragraph informative comparison that introduces the focus, develops points with relevant evidence, uses cohesive transitions, precise language, a formal style, and a conclusion (W.8.2).
- Participate in collaborative discussions, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly with text-based reasoning (SL.8.1).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 8
- RL.8.9: Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or earlier works, including how the material is rendered new.
- W.8.2 (a–f): Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly through effective organization, development, transitions, precise language, formal style, and conclusions.
- SL.8.1 (a–d): Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions, preparing, following rules, posing/responding to questions, acknowledging new information.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can name a recurring theme/motif and show how it appears differently in two works by the same author.
- I can explain an archetype/pattern the author uses and how it’s made new.
- My comparison essay is organized, uses clear transitions, and includes precise, cited references to each text.
- In discussion, I build on peers’ ideas and adjust my claim when new evidence emerges.