An effective way to engage your students is through the creation of storyboards that examine Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, and Theme. This activity is referred to with the acronym “TWIST”. In a TWIST, students focus on a particular paragraph or a few pages, to look deeper at the author’s meaning. For this activity, students will create a 5 cell storyboard, illustrating each letter of TWIST for Robert Frost's poem “The Road Not Taken”.
| T | TONE |
The tone of this poem is contemplative, meaning that the speaker is reflecting upon and becoming nostalgic as they consider which road to take. The poem has almost a sentimental mood. |
|---|---|---|
| W | WORD CHOICE |
Frost uses figurative language quite a bit in this poem. One example of a metaphor is the fork in the road, which is a metaphor for making a decision about one’s life. |
| I | IMAGERY |
Clearly the poem takes place in the woods. Frost shows that it is probably fall by describing the roads as yellow with leaves and grass. |
| S | STYLE |
This poem has 4 stanzas, each with 5 lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAAB, which means that the first, third, and fourth lines rhyme, and the second and fifth lines rhyme. |
| T | THEME |
The theme of this poem is that people are always confronted with making choices in life, and are ultimately defined by these choices. |
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a TWIST analysis of the poem "The Road Not Taken".
Student Instructions:
Begin the lesson by introducing the concept of TWIST Analysis. Explain each component: Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, and Theme. Provide examples for each element from a different poem to illustrate the concept. Discuss "The Road Not Taken" briefly to set the context.
Have the students read "The Road Not Taken" aloud, either individually or in groups. Facilitate a discussion on their initial impressions, focusing on aspects related to TWIST. Ask guided questions to encourage students to think deeply about each element in the poem (e.g., "What words does Frost choose that stand out to you and why?" or "What feelings do you think the tone of the poem conveys?").
Introduce the storyboard activity. Each student will create a 5-cell storyboard, with each cell representing one element of TWIST. Demonstrate how to create a cell using an example from the poem or another text. Allow students time to work on their storyboards, using either the physical materials provided or the digital software. Circulate around the room, offering assistance and answering questions as students work.
Have students present their storyboards to the class or in small groups. Encourage students to explain their interpretation and how they represented each TWIST element in their storyboard. Conclude with a reflective discussion, asking students what they learned about the poem through this activity and how it might change their understanding of other literary works.
The real meaning of Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" often centers on the theme of choices and their consequences in life. Contrary to popular belief that it celebrates individualism and the benefits of taking the less traveled road, the poem is more nuanced. It reflects on the nature of making decisions and how people retrospectively ascribe significance to their choices. Frost presents a contemplative and somewhat ambiguous narrative, where the speaker looks back on a decision made at a fork in the road. The poem's essence lies in the introspection about these choices, underscoring the idea that the paths we choose, and perhaps equally the ones we don't, shape our journey and identity.
Imagery in "The Road Not Taken" plays a pivotal role in reinforcing its themes. Frost uses vivid descriptions of a forked path in a yellow wood to symbolize life's choices. The diverging roads are more than just physical paths; they represent different directions and possibilities in life. The "undergrowth" signifies the unknowns and complexities of choices, while the autumn setting of yellow woods suggests change and transition. Through this imagery, Frost not only paints a clear picture of the setting but also imbues the poem with deeper symbolic meaning, reflecting on the nature of decision-making and its impact on one's life journey.
Worksheets can be an effective tool for analyzing the tone and word choice in "The Road Not Taken." They can guide students through a structured examination of the poem, prompting them to identify and reflect on specific words and phrases that Frost uses. For instance, worksheets can include activities where students highlight words that convey the poem's contemplative and introspective tone, or they might ask students to annotate the text with their interpretations of how certain word choices affect the meaning and mood. By breaking down the poem's language and examining how Frost’s word choice contributes to its overall tone, students can gain a deeper understanding of how poets craft their messages and evoke emotions through language. Worksheets can also include comparative questions that encourage students to consider how different word choices could alter the poem's meaning, thereby enhancing their appreciation of Frost's poetic technique.