In this third unit, and after studying the thematic concept of control throughout A Midsummer Night’s Dream, students will write a narrative that will act as a “confessional,” where a character from the play explains his or her attempts to control or manipulate someone else in the play. This writing piece will meet the criteria for an effective narrative, including a logical introduction, event sequence, and reflective conclusion; narrative techniques; transitions; description; and correct grammar. Students’ character confessionals will answer three guiding questions: “Why did you want to control someone else’s actions?”, “How did you try to control someone else’s actions?”, and “What were the results of your trying to control someone else’s actions?”

For the mid-unit assessment, students will write a short justification that explains why they chose the character and scenes from the play that they did, and how the confessional develops the theme of control. For the end of unit assessment, students will write a commentary on how their narrative is a response to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and how it connects to and diverges from the play. Finally, students will share their narratives with a small group of peers. This performance task centers on standards NYSP12 ELA CCLS RL.8.2, RL.8.3, W.8.3, W.8.4, W.8.9a, and W.11b.