Overview of Modernizing Texts
Definition: According to Zipes (2012), the act of modernizing texts is relatable to "a cultural revolution of story telling" (p. 1). It is the process of adapting a text's setting, characters, dialect, or plot events of one culture to fit into the norms of current or future culture. This modernization process allows readers to appreciate and understand the original text, while they can personally relate to the contents of the modernized text.
History: Since the beginning of time (or beginning of verbal stories), society has treasured the stories that are passed down, by word of mouth, throughout each generation. As those stories are retold, components are altered (200 A.D. Eros and Psyche). However, regardless how many times the stories are retold, the main ideas and message stay the same (Goodman, 1982). Through these stories, we have adapted them to fit into our culture so we can better relate to them (Zipes, 2012). For example, many canonical texts have been made into film or text adaptations. These adaptations allow readers to connect to the text on a deeper level, as the language and cultural barrier is often weakened.
History: Since the beginning of time (or beginning of verbal stories), society has treasured the stories that are passed down, by word of mouth, throughout each generation. As those stories are retold, components are altered (200 A.D. Eros and Psyche). However, regardless how many times the stories are retold, the main ideas and message stay the same (Goodman, 1982). Through these stories, we have adapted them to fit into our culture so we can better relate to them (Zipes, 2012). For example, many canonical texts have been made into film or text adaptations. These adaptations allow readers to connect to the text on a deeper level, as the language and cultural barrier is often weakened.
Use in the Classroom
- To clarify unfamiliar text patterns and dialect
- To explore the author's craft
- To identify the significance of historical context in a text
- To engage students in texts they cannot relate to at first glance
- To provide students with adaptations of texts that are relevant and meaningful to their lives
- To spark student-centered discussions of a text and compare the text to its modern adaptations
- To motivate students to increase their comprehension of the text through interactive activities
How to Modernize a Text 101
- Select a classic text to modernize.
- Become familiar with the setting, plot, characters, and themes of the text.
- Identify any elements of the text that are confusing or need clarification (such as the dialect) OR identify a element of the text that you are interested in.
- Brainstorm ideas that focus on how you can clarify the confusing idea OR brainstorm ideas on how to explore the idea more. For example, in the play Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, some may not be able to relate to the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. To better understand this conflict, you would modernize the play to fit into a rivalry between two gangs in the late 1900's (West Side Story).
- Choose your genre of writing: poetry, script writing, flash fiction, short story, graphic novels, etc.
- Begin writing your modern version focusing on the elements you want to explore. Remember to clearly identify the setting, plot events, and new characterization if applicable.
- Review new text to ensure it is a modern version of the text and NOT a new story entirely (this is fan fiction).
- Edit, revise, and share with the world (or your class).
- If possible, discuss the differences and similarities between the original text and your modern text. How did you change it? Did this activity help develop an understanding of the original text? How did this activity increase your comprehension of the original text's major themes and ideas?
Teaching Possibilities and Response Activities:
How to spark the conversation and develop comprehension
- Fishbowl Discussions:
After reading a text as a class, prepare the students to discuss author's craft. This activity will encourage students to interact with the text beyond face value. It will also open discussion to possible brainstorming ideas for modernizing the text.
- Post-it Notes: While reading a text aloud, have the students use Post-it notes to mark any part of the text that they are confused with, want to explore further, or want to discuss as a class. Periodically call on students to offer their Post-it notes. Using their suggestions, develop a class discussion or lesson exploring the area of interest or concern. This activity may lead to unique ideas for modernizing the text or reinforcing comprehension.
(Conner, Bickens, & Bittman, 2009)
- Character Analysis: Throughout a text, place students in groups and assign each group a main character. While reading, these groups should meet and develop their knowledge of their character on chart paper. After reading the book, each group could present the development of their character to the class. Using this information, the groups will brainstorm ideas on how to modernize their character. This will help support their comprehension of the character and their understanding of the character's relationship to the text overall. Once each group has developed their modern character, they could present their information to the class to compare with the original.
Create your Modern Story
- While reading a text, complete a story map to gather important information about the text.
- After reading, choose the setting and main plot events for your modern adaptation.
- Complete a new story map for your modern adaptation. This should include the characters you wish to use, the setting, the plot events, and three details that make your story modern.
- Using the new story map, begin brainstorming additional ideas to incorporate into your story OR begin writing a rough draft of your story.
- Read the original text and make note of the main plot events, characters, and setting.
- Read or watch a modern adaptation of the original text. Make note of any differences between the original and the film such as characterization, setting, and plot events.
- Using a Venn diagram or a three column chart, record details from each text or film. Include any similarities in the middle.
- Once completed, have a class discussion about the benefits the modern adaptation provides. Also discuss any information that was omitted or altered, and how this impacts the readers' understanding of the original text.
- Read the original text and make note of the main plot events, characters, and setting.
- Select a character from the text and brainstorm how they would be viewed or how they would interact in the 21st century.
- Draw an image of the character using your brainstorming ideas. If you want to visually compare the difference, draw an image of the character in the original text using specific details to enhance your drawing.
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Mentor Text Examples
Classroom model:
Modernization of the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast
Early Version of the Text:
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Most Popular Version of the Text:
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Example Mentor Texts for Beauty and the Beast
Modern "Movie" Adaptations
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Modern Text Adaptations
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Educational Resources
There are many activities that support student engagement in classic texts. Below are a few links that provide excellent ideas and resources to incorporate modern adaptation activities in your classroom.
Activity ideas: http://www.teachhub.com/creative-literature-projects-students-love
Comparing texts to modern adaptations: http://www.readwritethink.org/resources/resource-print.html?id=30855
Retelling texts activities: http://www.tech4learning.com/pixie/projects/literature
Tips for modernizing classics: http://diymfa.com/reading/three-attributes-of-a-successful-adaptation
#Texting Shakespeare: https://jaimetong.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/english-10-pair-activity-romeo-juliet-rewritten-as-text-messages-engchat-bclearns/
Comparing texts to modern adaptations: http://www.readwritethink.org/resources/resource-print.html?id=30855
Retelling texts activities: http://www.tech4learning.com/pixie/projects/literature
Tips for modernizing classics: http://diymfa.com/reading/three-attributes-of-a-successful-adaptation
#Texting Shakespeare: https://jaimetong.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/english-10-pair-activity-romeo-juliet-rewritten-as-text-messages-engchat-bclearns/
Current Research
While classical literature has its merits, it can be daunting for students to interact with. Many canonical texts do not contain information that is relevant, interesting, or comprehensible to students in the twenty-first century. For this reason, these texts become difficult for students to figuratively "access" (Conner et al., 2009, p. 6). The articles below discuss various solutions to this problem, providing suggested activities to support student literacy growth.
Connor, D. J., Bickens, S., & Bittman, F. (2009). Combining classic literature with creative teaching for essay building in an inclusive urban high school classroom. Teaching Exceptional Children Plus, 5(6). Retrieved from http://proxy.geneseo.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ967756&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Goodman, Y. M. (1982). Retellings of literature and the comprehension process. Theory Into Practice, 21(4), 300-07. Retrieved from http://proxy.geneseo.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ275419&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Zipes, J. (2012). The cultural evolution of storytelling and fairy tales: Human communication and memetics. In the irresistible fairy tale the cultural and social history of a genre. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved from http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s9676.pdf
Goodman, Y. M. (1982). Retellings of literature and the comprehension process. Theory Into Practice, 21(4), 300-07. Retrieved from http://proxy.geneseo.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ275419&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Zipes, J. (2012). The cultural evolution of storytelling and fairy tales: Human communication and memetics. In the irresistible fairy tale the cultural and social history of a genre. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved from http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s9676.pdf
Common Core Connections
Below are the standards that the process of modernizing a text addresses. Most of the standards apply to this process as the text needs to be analyzed and evaluated to develop a strong understanding of the original text. This includes identifying the key ideas, the structure of the text, and the format of the text.
Key Ideas and details
* Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
* Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
* Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
Craft and Structure
* Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
* Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
* Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
Key Ideas and details
* Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
* Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
* Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
Craft and Structure
* Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
* Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
* Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.