King Lear Seminars

You will trace the evolution of a theme, motif, technique or idea in the
play. You will be expected to take notes on your topic as we study the
play in class.
You will then be expected to synthesize the information and draw
conclusions.
From your topic, form a specifc thesis to be presented to the class at
the onset of your seminar/discussion. sk yourself! what is
"hakespeare sayin#/demonstratin# about this topic$ %ow does he
communicate it$
&he #oal then is to validate the thesis with evidence from the play, and
teach the class about your topic.
Topics:
&hemes!
'. "elf (nowled#e
). *adness
+. ,arent-child relationships
.. /rder and disorder
*otifs!
'. 0nothin#1
). 2yes/si#ht
+. 3ature
4ramatic 2lements!
'. 5se of foils
). 2lements of tra#edy
+. 6ole of 7omen 8female characters9
.. "oliloquys
:. lternate endin#s and their e;ects on the play
<. &he fool
=deas to apply to the play!
'. >hain of bein#
). 7heel of fortune
Your Seminar must:
?e thesis-driven
%ave a clear introduction
=nclude some kind of audio/visual aid, such as video, audiofle,
handout, overhead, powerpoint@
"how that you understand your topic thorou#hly 8i.e. not readin#
from screen9
5se evidence to support your thesis
=nvolve the class in dicussion about your topic
%ave a conclusion/summary
King Lear Seminars Rubric
Curriculum
Expecta
tion
Criteria Comments Level
K
n
o
w
l
e
d
g
e
Constructing
Meaning
>onvey a meanin#ful and
relevant central idea or thesis
4emonstrate knowled#e of
seminar format requirements
4emonstrate knowled#e of the
text.
5se of quotes which support
points
T
h
i
n

i
n
g
!eveloping
and
"rgani#ing
Content
=dentify, sort, and order main
ideas and supportin# details
usin# appropriate or#anizational
patterns suited to the content
and purpose for presentation
8demonstrated throu#h notes9
>lear and e;ective introduction
and conclusion
2n#a#es the audience with
visuals, ori#inality and creativity
/;ers depth and/or complexity
in messa#e and thesis
>hoice of lan#ua#e show
awareness of audience and
purpose
C
o
m
m
u
n
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
$luenc%
Clarit%
"peak to communicate A
volume, expression, tone, pace,
intonation, articulation
2xpress ideas clearly and
articulately
2;ective use of visuals and
creativity to convey them and
messa#e.
&
p
p
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
'sing
Knowledge
o( $orm and
St%le
5se complete sentences that
communicate meanin# clearly
and accurately, varyin# sentence
type, structure, and len#th and
makin# lo#ical transitions
between ideas
2;ective use of diction
"ense of voice
Follow established rules and
#uidelines 8e.#., len#th of
presentation, takin# questions9
ppropriate audience
involvement and discussion.
7orks cited pa#e submitted