The Secret River Lesson Plan

En Medias Res Prologues

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students analyze Grenville's use of en medias res in the prologue, and will write alternative scenes that could function in the same way.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3

Structure:

Have students return to the novel's prologue: "Strangers." They should identify the characters that are introduced (William, Sal, the children, and an Aboriginal man), and discuss themes that are presented (the otherworldliness of New South Wales, the brewing conflict between settlers and natives, the savagery/civilization binary, the...