Many stories are told in different adaptations, with different points of view and in different ways across the globe. It is a great way to examine what is important in a particular culture, or how stories change and adapt as they are spread throughout the world and over time. One example is the original fairy tale Cinderella, which has been retold many times. This activity is wonderful for students to use when reading different adaptations of the same story or while comparing the movie version to a book, like with Holes or The Watsons Go to Birmingham. In this activity, students will complete the chart provided as a template, filling in each row and column with the texts they are comparing.
To scaffold or tailor this assignment, teachers may change the categories for comparison, or leave them blank for students to decide what to compare. They might also fill in text or art and have students fill in the blanks. Be sure to update the student instructions as necessary!
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Complete a comparison chart for the stories.
Student Instructions:
Ask the students to select a text or a story with different adaptations present. Teachers can also first explain the meaning and different forms of adaptation present. For instance, A Christmas Carol has many different adaptations in the form of books and movies and is enjoyed by audiences of all age groups. Similarly, students can select one story they find interesting with various adaptations.
Once the students have selected a text, ask them to analyze all the adaptations of that text. Students can also select 2-3 adaptations if the text has too many so the comparison becomes easier. Students will be reading and re-analyzing these adaptations throughout the process of comparison hence, encourage the students to make notes of important events or their own analysis so they can easily search for the information they want.
Once the students are familiar with all the adaptations it will be easier for them to determine the elements of the framework as they will be aware of the differences and the similarities present in the adaptations. Some common elements that students can use are accuracy, portrayal of characters, themes, and any changes in the overall message.
Once the students have picked their elements for the framework, ask them to determine the credibility of those elements. For instance, do these elements actually portray an accurate analysis of the differences and similarities present in the adaptations This process can also be done before selecting the elements for the framework so that students can pick already credible elements.
Encourage the students to consider their own prejudices and inclinations. What impact do their individual preferences and experiences have on how they view the adaptations? Ask the students to reflect on the impacts of medium-specific adaptations (TV, Film, Novel). For instance, novels that are converted into film adaptations can have different elements that students can consider for their analysis.
A deeper knowledge of the ways in which various media interpret and portray the same source material can be gained by contrasting and comparing adaptations. It aids in highlighting the decisions that each adaptation's directors, authors, and performers made.
Personal prejudices, expectations derived from the original book, or trouble letting go of an affinity to a particular adaption are a few possible obstacles. Talking about these difficulties helps improve critical thinking. Encourage the students to conduct this comparison with a clear mind. Students can also select a text they are not really familiar with and try to compare the adaptations for that text to remove any pre-existing prejudice.