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Lab Lesson Plan
Workshop: Creative non-fiction
Lesson Title: Obituary
Counselors: Melissa and Sara
Lesson Date:
Objectives: As a result of this lab, students will understand and/or be able to do the following:
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SWBAT distinguish important details from one’s life.
SWBAT establish a purposeful tone and style to a piece.
Materials: I Need to Organize/Bring…
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Example texts of obituaries
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/07/grandparents-day-2013_n_3887074.html)
(http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=166098479)
A Summary Description (Briefly summarize your plan – the “big picture”)
When we think of obituaries, we often think about the few sentences in the local newspaper, attempting to
sum up a person’s life in just a few key facts. Nowadays, however, there is a movement to make
obituaries more life-like, more representative of the person for whom they describe.
This lab will look at how one establishes a purposeful tone and style, while carefully choosing key details
to include in a concise piece. We will accomplish this by studying the different styles of the obituary,
focusing on these key questions:
A. How are they written, and why are they written this way?
B. What do the writers of obituaries want you to take away with you after you have finished reading?
C. How do they accomplish their goal?
Finally, students will write their own obituaries with these things in mind:
A. What will people remember about you?
B. What will your tone be?
C. How will you format your obituary?
Introductory Hook [ 5 mins.] Read Quote, discuss
“Like people, obituaries come in many shapes and sizes: long or short, elegant or homely, glorified or
humble… It used to be that obits contained basic information but not much more: who died, what day and
how; hometown, parents (even if deceased), military duty, occupation, memberships, survivors; details
about the service.
Today, though, obits have become a place to celebrate a more complete person – what motivated and
inspired them, how they motivated and inspired others. Obits are often poignant and literary portraits –
short stories, really – that can be interesting, even amusing. And why shouldn’t we smile recalling
someone we’ll miss?” – (Soper)
What comes to mind when you think of obituaries? What is the point of an obituary? What makes an
obituary “good?” [Group share]
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Activities/Steps
[15 mins.] Read and analyze articles
While you read this first article, circle key things you think are important in the obituary. Then, after you
finish reading, write 3-5 sentences on what you think this person was like:
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/07/grandparents-day-2013_n_3887074.html)
Do the same for this article:
(http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=166098479)
[25 mins.] Discuss articles
[Group share]
a. What did you guys think was important in each of these articles? Why?
b. How would you characterize the people being described? Why?
c. What do think Author A was trying to achieve? What about Author B?
d. What was the tone of each obituary?
e. What did you notice about the form of these obituaries (how they are similar/different)?
f. What are common information that most obituaries include? (think language: “survived by…”, DOD,
DOB, family, etc.)
[5 mins.] Brainstorm
Take the next 5 minutes, and jot down a few things you would include in your own obituary, as if you
were given the task to write it yourself. How would you format it? What would your tone be? What would
you include or exclude? What would you want people to remember about you? What are some facts or
bits of info you would want people to know?
[5 mins.] Partner share
Now exchange ideas with your partner. Tell him/her what you want your readers to remember after
reading your obituary, and explain how you will reach this goal. Then, give each other advice, before you
begin writing!
[20 mins.] Writing time
When you are done sharing, take the next 20 minutes to start writing your own obituary, keeping
everything we’ve discussed in mind.
[10 mins.] Partner share
Exchange obituaries with your partner from before. Read each other obituaries, ask your partner whether
or not the goal was achieved, and how you can better express your take-away points.
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Closure [5 mins]
Great job today! I hope you guys had fun writing your own obituaries. Remember to think about what
information is important to include, and how that contributes to what your readers take away from your
piece.