Name:
Period:
Date:
“Rikki-tikki-tavi” by Rudyard Kipling: A Literary Collage
Mrs. Ibbitson
English 7
You will create an interesting, colorful collage that shows the literary elements from Kipling's
short story, "Rikki-tikki-tavi." You will type your information using complete sentences in a 12
point, Times Roman font. You will then print and cut out your information and glue it onto
construction paper, which you will obtain from me. Be sure to follow the directions given below
step-by-step. Your collage is worth 100 points toward your reading grade. It is due on:_________
Part 1: The Literary Elements
Directions:
In complete sentences, explain the following literary elements found in the story. Spelling and
punctuation count! First, make a “judgment” in your topic sentence. Then, give “proof” by
introducing a quotation in your own words, copying the quotation from the text exactly as it is
written, and then citing your source by showing the page number, MLA style. Finally, “translate”
by clearly explain what each quotation reveals. The proceeding paragraph is an example of a
paragraph describing “foreshadowing.”
Example:
Foreshadowing happens when an author gives the reader a sense that something is going to
happen.
The author uses spine-tingling suspense to foreshadow an event when he says, “Rikki-tikki listened.
The house was as still as still, but he thought he could just catch the faintest scratch-scratch in the world—a noise as
faint as that of a wasp walking on a windowpane—the dry scratch of a snake’s scales on brickwork” (27).
This quotation foreshadows the imminent arrival of Nag, the antagonist and Rikki’s arch nemesis, and the terrible,
suspenseful fight that will follow. This brings interest and excitement to the story.
Plot Structure: (16 points)
 Find a quotation from the story to describe each of the following: the setting, the inciting
event, a complication to the plot, two examples of a character’s external conflict, the
climax, the falling action, and the resolution of the story.
Characterization: (20 points)
 Deeply analyze two characters in the story by answering the following for each:
o Tell the name of each character and list at least three character traits.
o Is the character a protagonist or an antagonist?
o What is the character’s significance or importance in the story?
o What motivates the character? (What does he or she want?)
o Give one example of an internal conflict that the character experiences.
 Use at least one quotation from the story (for each character) to show direct
characterization and one quotation to show indirect characterization. Explain what each
quotation reveals.
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Foreshadowing: (8 points)
 Using quotations from the story, give two examples of foreshadowing.
 Explain what events are foreshadowed in each example and show what each quotation
reveals.
Point of View: (8 points)
 From which point of view is this story told?
 How does the point of view affect the telling of the story? Give two quotations to support
your analysis.
Theme: (8 points)
 Explain one possible theme or hidden message about life from this story.
 Use two quotations to support your analysis and explain what each quotation reveals.
Part 2: Author Study (20 points)
Directions:
 IN YOUR OWN WORDS, write a paragraph describing the life and achievements of
Rudyard Kipling. First, make a “judgment,” then give “proof” to support your judgment,
finally “translate” by giving your opinion on Kipling’s achievements.
 Include a photograph and mention other stories that Kipling might have written.
 You MUST cite the source from which you obtained your information; otherwise, it
is plagiarism. Please see p. 635 in your anthology for guidance!
Part 3: The Collage (20 points)
Directions:
Using construction paper, create a collage that displays the literary elements and author study.
 Put each literary element on its own piece of paper. You may wish to add a border to give
a "finishing touch."
 Arrange your literary elements on your construction paper and glue with a glue stick.
 Put the title and author of the story on your collage—typed please!
 Type your name and period neatly in the top right corner.
 Make sure that your project is neat, colorful, and includes pictures of significant items
from the story. You may draw your pictures yourself, use clip art, or download pictures
from the Internet.
 Your grade will be based on the level of analysis and the degree of creativity.
 Do your very best work – your collage will be on display at Open House!
 Please see examples in our classroom for further ideas. 
This project is aligned to the following 7th grade California Common Core Standards:
Reading Standards for Literature
1. Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text…
3. Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g. how setting shapes the characters or plot).
6. Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters . . . in a text.
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