This document provides instructions for a group mini-lesson assignment in an English literature course. Students will be assigned to small groups and each group will teach the class about a topic related to British literature from one of three historical periods. Lessons should last 10-30 minutes plus time for questions and use at least three academic sources. Groups will be graded on covering the appropriate depth and scope of their topic, demonstrating research and understanding, and presenting in an organized, cohesive manner that engages the audience.

1. Eng 267: Survey of British Literature I
Group Mini-Lesson Assignment
Description
• In small groups (of two or three), students will teach the class about a topic
related to British Literature from the Middle Ages, 16th & Early 17th Century,
and the Restoration & 18th-Century. I have provided a list of possible topics on
Bblearn. Choose a topic in which you are personally or academically interested
that you believe will benefit your classmates’ literary education. If you want to
teach about a topic that is not on my list, please run it by me for approval.
• The lesson should last at least 10 minutes, up to 30 minutes for particularly
large or complex topics. The following question and answer period can last as
long as your classmates have questions to ask.
• Use at least three (3) academic sources and include a Works Cited at the end of
the lesson. (Wikipedia may lead to good sources, but is not an academic source
itself. Talk to me if you are not sure you know what I mean by an “academic
source.”)
• In terms of content, think about what message or information you want your
classmates to get out of your lesson (since this is a literature class, it is usually
more than just names and dates).
For example, if you are introducing a text, you should think about the
following questions:
• Why was this text important or significant in its time period?
• What influence has it had since its publication?
• Does it illustrate or challenge the characteristics of its literary period in
a significant way? If so, how?
• What are its major themes?
• What are a couple of significant quotes?
• You may use any presentation format that you think will help your classmates
learn: PowerPoint, Prezi (prezi.com), TimeRime (timerime.com) or
SpicyNodes (spicynodes.org) are all good options, depending on the
organizational needs of your material.
• You may lecture, make a video, include a quiz, class activity, or film clip(s) –
anything you can think of to communicate effectively and interest your
audience.

2. Grading Criteria
Content:
• Covers appropriate depth and scope of topic given time limitation.
• Demonstrates significant research and understanding of topic.
• Organized to facilitate audience understanding.
Presentation Style
• If there are multiple presenters, the presentation functions as one cohesive
lesson with appropriate transitions.
• If there are multiple presenters, the topic is divided equally(ish) between
them.
• Presenters are energetic, with good eye contact and clear speaking voices.
Audio Visuals (if used, not required)
• Appropriate to support content, not replace speakers.
• Easy to see and understand.