This document provides a lesson plan on analyzing literary texts through the biographical context of the author. It includes objectives to identify the central theme of a text and analyze it by examining the author's biography. Students will read poems by Paul Laurence Dunbar and Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson, researching the authors' backgrounds, and answering questions about how the authors' lives influenced their writings. Additionally, students will write their own autobiographical pieces and poems based on a partner's work to understand an author's perspective.

1. Lesson 1
Literary Reading
through a Biographical
Context

2. Learning
Competency
explain the literary,
biographical, linguistic,
and sociocultural contexts
and discuss how they
enhance the text’s
meaning and enrich the
reader’s understanding
(EN12Lit-Ie-28)
1

3. Objectives
● identify the central theme of the literary text read;
and
● analyze a literary text by examining biographical
context.

4. Essential Question
How does looking through the eyes of the author
help us better understand the text?

5. Warm Up!
Line up facing each other in two concentric circles. Students
on the inside circle will ask questions to the students on the
outside circle. Take turns in asking and answering questions.
Questions that will be read by the teacher are based on the
following: (1) personal beliefs, (2) religion, (3) family culture
and tradition, and (4) any other things about your life.

6. Warm Up!
Reflect on the following:
From what you have listened to, what made you understand
your classmate/friend better? Do these personal beliefs affect
their way of thinking and way of interacting shown in their
daily activities?

7. biography (noun) - a detailed account or
narrative of a person written by
someone else
I wonder if any author would write a
commemorative biography of Stan Lee?
autobiography (noun) - a narrative of
a person written by himself or herself
Dennis Rodman revealed all his inner
struggles in his autobiography, “Bad as I
Wanna Be.”
1
2
3
Vocabulary Words
belief system (noun) - the set of
mutually supportive beliefs that define
a person’s or society’s outlook on life
or reality
It is crucial for a couple looking to marry
that they share a similar belief system.

8. 5
4
Vocabulary Words
jilt (verb) - ending a relationship
with someone suddenly or
painfully.
Dana was definitely hurt when her
boyfriend jilted her.
confessional - (adjective) intimately
autobiographical; characterized by
openness and self-revelation
Ed Sheeran writes many confessional
songs about specific experiences he has
had.

9. Learn about It!
Reasons to read literature through the biographical context
(Gioia and Kennedy 2007):
● Understanding the author’s life can help you understand
his or her work thoroughly.
● Reading the author’s biography or autobiography helps
you see how much his experiences shape his or her work
directly and indirectly.

10. Learn about It!
Biographical Strategies
● Research on what the author believes in and also what he
or she does not.
● Analyze how the author’s belief system is reflected in his
or her work.
● Look at the author’s other works and analyze if there is a
pattern with regard to the theme that is indicative of his or
her life and beliefs.

11. Learn about It!
Reading Literature through a Biographical Context
● In what year was the text written and published?
● Is there anything significant that happened in the author’s
life during this time? What were the circumstances that
happened to the author before the writing of the text?
● Were there several drafts of the text? What can you say
about the changes that the author made? What aspects do
you think the author struggled with during the revision?
What is the effect of the revisions to the published text?

12. Learn about It!
Reading Literature through a Biographical Context
● Are there characters and situations in the text that could
be representative of or are similar to the ones in the
author’s life?
● How will knowing about the author amplify your
appreciation of the work?

13. Learn about It!
Take note of the following before reading a text through a
biographical context:
● You should not assume that all works are confessional,
biographical, or even “true to life.”
● A literary text is according to the author’s perspective and
will be heavily influenced by him or her, but it is not the
only way of studying literature.

14. Learn about It!
Dreams
Paul Laurence Dunbar

15. Learn about It!
Guide Questions
1. What is the central theme of the poem? How is this used
throughout the poem?
2. What does the poem say about its central theme or
image?
3. What other images or figures of speech help develop this
central theme?
4. How are these related to the author’s personal history and
background?
5. What aspects of the author’s history can be seen in his
written work?

16. Analysis
Read and analyze the poem below, research on the
biography of the author, then answer the questions
that follow comprehensively. Responses must be at
least one paragraph long.
I Sit and Sew
Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson

17. Analysis
Short Response Questions:
1. What is the central image of the poem?
2. What kind of person does the persona seem to be?
3. What other images and figures of speech are found in the
poem?
4. What do you think is the thematic message that the poem
conveys?
5. Refer to your research. How does the poet’s biography tie
up with this poem?

18. Analysis
Criteria Score
Content
(The question is answered well. The answer provided is backed
up with textual evidence and/or details about the author's
biography.) 6 pts
Organization
(Logical progression of details/events; clear transitions between
ideas.) 6 pts
Language
(spelling, mechanics, grammar, and word choice) 3 pts
Score: /15

19. Values Integration
We have learned how an author’s life experiences
and beliefs influence his or her writing. How can the
knowledge of someone’s background affect the way
we treat him or her as a person?

20. Synthesis
1. Find a partner. Each of you will write a short
autobiographical essay. It could be a narrative of your most
memorable or significant life events; or a
description/exposition of your character, upbringing, and
core beliefs.
2. Exchange essays with your partner. Write a poem or short
story using your partner’s essay as a basis. Or you could
write the poem or short story from your partner’s
perspective using his/her essay as a guide.
3. Your teacher may call on volunteers to share their work.

21. Assignment
Read and analyze the short story, research on the author,
and answer the questions that follow.
The Tell-Tale Heart
Edgar Allan Poe

22. Guide Questions
1. How is the story narrated? What effect does this have on
the way the story is told?
2. Who is the central character of the story? What is this
person like?
3. What is the central conflict of the short story? How is the
conflict resolved?
4. What point does the last line of dialogue make?
5. Refer to your research on Edgar Allan Poe. How is his
background reflected in his writing?

23. Criteria Score
Content
(The question is answered well. The answer provided is backed up
with textual evidence and/or details about the author's
biography.) 6 pts
Organization
(Logical progression of details/events; clear transitions between
ideas.) 6 pts
Language
(spelling, mechanics, grammar, and word choice) 3 pts
Score: /15