Presentations of Literary Elements in Monster
Objective: To help classmates understand how the literary element you are
presenting enhances a reader’s understanding of the novel. By the conclusion of
your presentation, the class members should have completed the handout in the
packet that relates to your topic.
Setting, p. 15
1. Definition of setting – explain and provide a visual.
2. Description of three different settings in Monster (use bullets so class can
copy onto handout)
3. Brief explanation of how setting influences characters. Consider how the
events would have been different if Steve didn’t have to stay in the Manhattan
Detention Center (could have stayed at home during trial), the courtroom (what
parts of this setting made an impact on Steve), and Steve’s neighborhood (how
did this influence Steve’s behavior).
Characters, p. 13,14
1. Explain the difference between major and minor characters – provide
examples from Monster – give a visual.
2. Analyze the Steve’s character using questions on p. 14
3. Analyze one other character of your choice using a specific scene in the
novel. Give the page number of the scene, read it, write 4 sentences describing
how his appearance, feelings, personality, actions, or motives are revealed in
this scene. Provide a visual.
Plot Elements, p. 16
1. Explain the meaning of the different elements of plot and identify them on
the plot chart (visual).
2. Identify the climax of the novel and explain why you think it is the climactic
moment.
3. Identify 2 elements of the exposition, 5 elements of rising action, the climax,
1 element of falling action, and 1 element of resolution and place on the plot
chart in the appropriate sequence. Explain your choices.
Conflict, p. 17
1. Explain the meaning of conflict – provide a visual.
2. Give an illustration of the conflict faced by the jury (person v. person); by
Steve (person v. self); by Bobo Evans (person v. society). Explain why this is
their type of conflict and give evidence from the text to support your claim.
3. Delete number 4 on handout (ask students to do the same). In its place,
create a conflict for another person in the novel and ask students to identify
what type of conflict that person has. Consider the conflict faced by Mr. or
Mrs. Harmon, Kathy O’Brien, Lorelle Henry (give instance in the novel when
this conflict is illustrated).
Theme, p. 18
1. Explain the meaning of theme – provide a visual.
2. Offer 2-3 themes from the novel and evidence to support these as themes.
3. Conclude with a theme that you and your group members believe is the
most important theme to take away from the novel. Provide evidence from
different parts of the novel (beginning, middle, end) to support your claim.
Irony, Flashback, Idiom, p. 19, 20, 22
1. Explain the definitions of irony – provide a visual.
2. Explain why this passage on p. 55 is ironic: Bolden: “I just wanted to do
the right thing. You know, like a good citizen.” Briggs: (showing anger) “You
were in jail trying to be a good citizen?” Have students write the passage in
their packets and copy your explanation.
3. Explain the definition of flashback – provide a visual – give p. 41-43 as
example.
4. Select another flashback scene and explain how it provides insight into the
novel.
5. Explain the definition of idiom – provide a visual.
6. Explain the intended meanings of the four idioms provided on the handout.