Teaching the classics - debates and discussions

Alessia BosonSteve Duroux

The following activity is based on the book "Teaching Literature to Adolescents", Richard Beach,

Deborah Appleman, Susan Hynds, Jeffrey Wilhelm - Routledge 2006

ACTIVITY —DISCUSSION/DEBATESExample: The Scarlet LetterEvery student will be assigned a question and a side to argue.What to Do: Prepare a 1–1and1⁄2 minute speech in which you

argue your point. Another person will argue the other side of the question. Each of you will tell what the stance you are representing is and offer support for your argument (citing the text). After you have each argued your points, there will be a brief period for questions.

The QuestionsHester1 Is Hester Prynne a victim?2 Is Hester a good mother for Pearl?3 Does Hester deserve the punishment she received?

Dimmesdale1 Is Dimmesdale a good clergyman?

Chillingworth1 Is Roger Chillingworth an evil man?

Overflow QuestionTo what extent is your character responsible or blameworthy for the adultery?

Now draw a similar list of questions based on another text

Steve DurouxTHE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST – OSCAR

WILDE

Jack Worthing

• Is Jack a real gentleman? • Does he represent the

morality of the Victorian period?

Algernon Moncrieff

• Is a real dandy-man? • Does he look like Wilde?

Gwendolen Fairfax

•Does she love “Jack”? •Is she strong-minded?

Cecily Cardew

•Is her ingenuity real?•Is she a product of high society?

Overflow question: “Is it useful to be earnest?”

Alessia Boson

ROBINSON CRUSOE

ROBINSON CRUSOE• Does Robinson feel happy on the Island he was

shipwrecked on?• Would he like to move to other places?

FRIDAY• Does Robinson try to get to know Friday?• Is Friday happy to be Robinson’s servant?

OVERFLOW QUESTION• Does Robinson prefer the living condition in England or in

the island? How is his attitude towards the values of his previous life?