A Prayer for Owen Meany Group Presentation Assignment
Analyzing Elements of Fiction – A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Each small group will be assigned a chapter or chapters from the novel. Use the chapter
handouts on the elements of fiction to explain and discuss these elements in Owen Meany and
their effect on the reader. Use textual evidence and support whenever possible. Be sure to
give the page number(s) so we can all “be on the same page.”
Group Members:
Chapter Assignment:
Each presentation must cover these topics:
 Characters
 Plot – Setting
 Timeline / Time Sequence
 Events
 Plot Structure
 Historical Context
 References to real people, places, and events
 Characterization Methods (must use textual examples)
 Point of View – Type and Reason Used
 Literary Devices / Use of Language (Diction): Explain the device and identify specific
examples from your chapter. Discuss the effect this device has on the reader. What
was Irving’s purpose in using this literary device? What is suggested or implied that
enhances meaning from the use of this word, phrase or passage? What is that
additional meaning or understanding given to the reader? Literary Devices to consider:
 Diction – connotation and denotation
 Flashbacks and Foreshadowing
 Hyperbole / Overstatement / Understatement
 Allusions to the Bible, to mythology, to history, to literature
 Simile / Metaphor / Motif
 Use of Juxtaposition / Opposition
 Symbol / Irony
 Symbolism (Names, Places, Objects)
 Verbal, Dramatic, Comedic, and Situational Irony
A Prayer for Owen Meany Group Presentation Assignment
 Emotion / Humor
 Its use and effects in your chapter
 Favorite or significant passage / quotation / section. Each group member must
read a passage to the class and explain why he or she selected it.
 Theme – Take ONE major theme. Explain and trace its development up to and including
your chapter. Consider:
 Discussion topics
 Questions
 Main Ideas
 Messages
 Moral lessons
 Conclude your presentation by giving your opinion. Will it be a classic? Why/why not?
Why is it worth reading? What did critical reviewers write (e.g., New York Times, New
Republic, Washington Post)? Universality, timelessness, charm of text? Originality?
Best seller status?
A Prayer for Owen Meany Group Presentation Assignment
1. Groups will be assigned.
2. Meet in your assigned group. Decide what your group needs to present to the class.
Your topic is merely a skeleton. You need to add the flesh.
3. Do your research. For some topics, you will need to use more sources outside the text.
All topics require “diving into the text” to find the pearls. Use textual evidence and
examples as support. Be sure to give page numbers for any reference you include from
the novel.
4. Share your discoveries with your entire group. Based on what you have found as a
group, decide what’s missing. Seek the information missing.
5. Information is gathered. Now Discuss. Every group member is responsible for the
content of the presentation. If one person presents shallow, incomplete, or erroneous
information, the group score will be affected. Individual scores, however, will be based
solely on an individual’s participation and presentation.
6. Determine how your group will present your topic information to the class. Make sure
everyone knows his/her part and has an equal share in the presentation. Be creative
with your presentation. Remember… no one wants to be bored for eight presentations.
7. Know your individual contribution. Have a “dry run,” a technical rehearsal, a practice.
Know your game plan. Going into this without one is sloppy.
8. Have your books with you during your presentations and send classmates back in the
text. Refer to page numbers so we can discover and see, literally, what you see in the
text.
9. Take notes on all presentations. You are responsible for knowing all aspects of the
novel.
This assignment is of an independent study nature. Most research and group work will be done
outside of class. Your group may use your instructor’s room before and after school. Let your
instructor know so she/he can be available and have the room open. Assuming you read Owen
Meany over the summer, this should be plenty of time.
Presentations will commence: __________________________________
A Prayer for Owen Meany Group Presentation Assignment
Names: _____________________________________________________ Chapter: _________
Category
Exceeds Expectations
Meets Expectations
Does Not Meet
Expectations
Beginning Engages
Reader
Group has a creative introduction
that states what will be covered and
in what order and includes an
audience “hook” to get their
attention and foster interest in its
chapter.
Group has a standard introduction
that states what will be covered
and in what order and/or may lack
an audience “hook.”
Group jumps into the
details of the presentation
without “hooking” the
audience or introducing the
topic of the presentation.
Demonstrates
Understanding of the
Content and Subject
Matter, Analytical
Interpretation
The entire presentation represents a
thorough and deep knowledge of
the chapter and analysis of its
meaning. Thoughtful, conscious
interpretations about use of literary
elements (HOW THE AUTHORS USES
THEM) are clear in the presentation
and tied to the author’s choices.
Substantial parts of the
presentation represent good
knowledge of the chapter and
analysis of its meaning. Clear and
reasonable interpretations about
use of literary elements are clear
in the presentation but may not
include author choices.
Significant parts of the
presentation are not clear
and/or show little to no
conscious interpretations
and understanding beyond
generalizations.
Quality of Content
(Accuracy, Insight,
Details).
The entire presentation is
consistently accurate, insightful and
details are specific and relevant.
Insights are supported by specific
textual evidence and answer the
question “SO WHAT?”
Substantial parts of the
presentation are consistently
accurate, insightful and details are
specific and relevant. Insights are
supported with textual evidence.
The entire presentation
exhibits little or no
consistently accurate,
insightful information, and
details are general and/or
irrelevant.
Presentation Skills:
 Eye Contact
 Fluency of
Speech
 Focused
transitions
 Posture and
Presentation
Group has all of its presentation
practiced and performs with
confidence, proper inflection and
diction, and professional presence
(including engaging visuals and
rhetorical techniques). Rare
mistakes made but do not detract
from presentation.
Conclusion – End of
Presentation involves
closure for the
audience
Presentation wraps up clearly with
personal conclusions from the group
about the text and clearly signals
“the end.” It leaves the audience
with somewhere to go – a question,
a thought, something to ponder.
Group has most of its
presentation generally practiced
and performs effectively with
confidence, proper speech.
Includes appropriate visuals and
attempts rhetorical techniques.
Some mistakes made but do not
detract from presentation. Clearly
practiced but a student
presentation.
Presentation wraps up clearly
with personal conclusions from
the group about the text and
clearly signals “the end.”
Group does not have
presentation practiced and
struggles with speaking
properly OR ad-libs through
the presentation. Many
mistakes made, detract
from presentation.
Presentation is dull and
screams “Look at me! I’m
giving a school speech!”
Presentation trails off or
just stops. Audience is left
without personal
conclusions from the group.
Comments:
Evaluation:
Exceeds Expectations
Meets Expectations
Doesn’t Meet Expectations