The title for my final project is called "The making of literary heroes". In this project I teach my students A.) that there is a formula in most, if not all, major works of literature and film which creates a "hero" character or protagonist, B.) What that formula is, C.) How to use that formula in their writing, and D.) The different types of literary heroes.​

 

This presentation can be used really for any Secondary level, For example, I have used it with both my 1st of Secondary students all the way up to 1st of Bachillerato. All of my students have been able to enjoy this project, and making it age appropriate is as easy as switching out the literary examples. In this specific example I have made it for 2nd of Bachillerato and use Harry Potter as the literary/film figure. Below you will see my main powerpoint which I use to assist in my lectures.

 

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Step 1: Show them the short YouTube clip included in the powerpoint, using the photo showed above go through different ordinary examples where you may have gone through each of

these "steps" as shown in the formula. For example

I used the example of how I came to Spain to be their

language assistant- This usually gets a laugh and helps to make

the formula more personal.

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Step 2: Present the powerpoint allowing the students to take note of

the new terms and what they mean,

as well as asking them periodically for examples

of each hero classification and why.

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Step 3: After providing them with the lesson, I will ask them get into groups of 2 to brain storm for a few minutes and try to think of literary/film examples and classify them as the different classifications of heroes we've just learned about, and present it to the class. This can provide a good debate session, as more than one classification can apply to some of the characters.

 

Step 4: We will read Harry Potter during class for the next few weeks talking and debating about the different "heroes" in the story, as well as, discussing where in the story the different portions of the formula apply. This step can be varied depending on how long you might want this lesson to last, for example if you don't have weeks to spare, You can have the students read a short story as opposed to a novel.

 

​Step 5: Give the Heroes Vocab quiz attached, to ensure a full grasp of the terms discussed, then they will be asked to write a short story using that formula to create heroic characters and stories of their own. We will workshop the stories in class, before having them read aloud their tales and explain the arc or formula in their story for their peers. This step can take up to 3 class periods as they will need the time to be able to workshop the stories with their peers and the professor as well as to have them read these aloud for their classmates.

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What will they learn? 

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The objective with these exercises is to motivate them to find the common thread between their everyday lives and great works of literature. They will also broaden their english literary vocabulary, as well as repertoire. 

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Vocab: 

• Hero

• Classical Hero

• Everyman Hero

• Super Hero

• Tragic Hero

• Epic Hero

• Anti Hero

• Status Quo

• Resolution

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Recommended Books for Study: The Boy in the Dress (Ages 12-14), Harry Potter (Ages 12-15), The Scarlet Pimpernel (Ages 16-18), Frankenstein (Ages 16-18), The Green Angel (Ages 13-16), Inkheart (Ages 12-14), A Wrinkle in Time (Ages 13-16), Narnia (Ages 12-14), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Ages 15-17).

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Recommended Short Stories: Johnny Appleseed (Ages 12-13), Paul Bunyan (Ages 12-13), John Henry (Ages 12-15), Pecos Bill (13-15), Davie Crockett (Ages13-15), Beowulf (Ages 17-18), Echo & Narcissus (Ages 14-16)

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Time needed for this lesson varies, It can be as short as a week's worth of lessons and as long as 2 months long depending on the chosen literature.