What's My Purpose?
For your assignment, you will be creating a slide deck to serve as a digital scrapbook to illustrate a protagonist's coming-of-age experience. Select and read one the of the short stories below, and use the protagonist of your selected story as the focus of your slide deck:
"American History" by Judith Ortiz Cofer
The story follows a Puerto Rican teenage girl, living in America, on the day of JFK's assassination. She has a crush on her neighbor, and she is excited because he has asked her over to study. Unfortunately, things don't go as Elena has planned.
In your slide deck, you’ll take your audience through each element of a bildungsroman (a coming-of-age story) you find in the story you've selected: characterization, canon events, universal themes, and symbols. You’ll then reflect on your protagonist and make connections to the coming-of-age experience your selected story depicts.
Review the requirements for each slide below. Contact your teacher if you need help finding a program to create your slide deck!
Slide 1: Title Slide
- Title of the slide deck: "The Coming-of-Age Journey of Elena in 'American History'"
- Your name
- Date
Slide 2: Introduction to the Protagonist
- Brief summary of Elena's character traits and background as a Puerto Rican teenage girl living in America
- Include an image of JFK's assassination to set the historical context
Slide 3: Canon Events in the Story
- Description of the events that take place on the day of JFK's assassination
- Explain how these events impact Elena's coming-of-age journey
- Include a timeline or visual representation of the events
Slide 4: Characterization of Elena
- Analysis of Elena's growth and development throughout the story
- How does she navigate her crush on the neighbor and her disappointment?
- Include quotes or examples from the text to support your analysis
Slide 5: Universal Themes
- Identification of the universal themes present in Elena's coming-of-age experience
- Discuss how these themes resonate with readers of different backgrounds
- Consider themes such as loss of innocence, identity, and resilience
Slide 6: Symbols in the Story
- Explanation of the symbols used in the story to represent Elena's journey
- Analyze how these symbols contribute to the overall theme of coming-of-age
- Include visuals or quotes from the text to illustrate the symbols
Slide 7: Reflection on Elena's Journey
- Personal reflection on how Elena's coming-of-age experience connects with universal struggles of adolescence
- Discuss the impact of culture, history, and relationships on Elena's growth
- Consider how Elena's journey relates to your own experiences of growing up
Slide 8: Conclusion
- Summary of the key points discussed in the slide deck
- Final thoughts on the significance of Elena's coming-of-age journey in "American History"
- Thank your audience for engaging with your presentation