Lafontaine
Symbolism Project
Part I: In class practice
Concept Bank
Symbolism =
 The use of symbols to represent deeper or more complex ideas, concepts, feelings, etc.
 Symbolism is NOT the LITERAL meaning. Instead, it IS the SYMBOLIC meaning.
 A SYMBOL is a person, place, thing, image, or event that stands for itself and for
something beyond itself as well. It has a deeper meaning.
 There are PRIVATE and PUBLIC symbols.
 Private Symbols = Symbols that mean something to your personally.
 Public (universal) Symbols = Symbols that have a deeper meaning to most people in
a specific community, country, etc. (flags, roses, four leaf clover, etc.)
 Literally = The literal meaning of something; the real thing; the facts; what something
ACTUALLY is…
Example:
Look at the picture of our school’s mascot:
This is literally a picture of
_____________________________________________(symbol).
It has the following characteristics:
______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____ (identify or describe its traits)
As a result, its SYMBOLIC or FIGURATIVE MEANING is:
______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________ (give a theme,
message or motif--a central idea or dominant theme--Ex: the bonds of family, the
enduring love of a mother for her child, etc.)
Analysis 1) Explain how the characteristics lead to the symbolic meaning 2) Is it a
public or private symbol? How do you know?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Lafontaine
Part II: Brainstorm & Research
1. Discuss the symbol you were given with your partner.
List your symbol’s literal CHARACTERISTICS OR TRAITS below:
o
o
o
o
o
o
2. Brainstorm ideas about its SYMBOLIC or FIGURATIVE MEANING below:
o
o
o
o
o
o
HOMEWORK
3. Tonight, BOTH of you are to research your symbol. Your job is to find out the
following: What does your symbol symbolize? Is it a public or private symbol?
**You MUST PRINT your sources**
(print the internet pages where you found information about your symbol)
Before you leave today, work with your partner to come up with some search
phrases (Ex: “oak tree symbols”) AND divide up the work!
o
o
o
o
o
Lafontaine
Part III: Evaluate & Summarize your Research
Review your research with your partner. Choose the most helpful and reliable
information. Then, write two GISTs to summarize the research you will use in your
presentation.
Go to your GIST Template
Part IV: Present your Research
Organize for your presentation. You must include:
 The symbol
 The literal characteristics or traits
 The symbolic or figurative meaning
 Analysis (1. Explain how the characteristics lead to the symbolic meaning; include the history or origin
of the symbol if necessary or available 2. Is it a public or private symbol? How do you know?)
 Who will do and say what? When? Get the logistics of your presentation
organized.
Prepare and organize in the space provided below and use the back as needed:
Lafontaine
Group Members _________________________________________
Symbol _____________________________
Symbolism Presentation Rubric
Descriptor
Content requirements
The symbol
The literal characteristics or
traits
The symbolic or figurative
meaning
Analysis
1.
2.
10
Clearly and
thoroughly
presents ALL
required
aspects of the
symbol with
expertise.
9-8
7-6
5-3
2-0
Presents MOST
required aspects
of the symbol
but some areas
lack clarity and
elaboration.
Presents SOME
required aspects
of the symbol
but some areas
lack clarity and
elaboration.
Presents ONE or
ZERO required
aspects of the
symbol.
4
3
2
N/A
Both students
participated but
it was not equal
Speakers make
eye contact with
most of the class
throughout the
presentation
Speakers make
eye contact with
some of the class
for ½ of the
presentation
Clearly and
thoroughly
presents MOST
required
aspects of the
symbol.
Explain how the characteristics
lead to the symbolic meaning;
include the history or origin of the
symbol if necessary or available
Is it a public or private symbol?
How do you know?
Descriptor
Participation
Eye Contact
Projection
Stance
5
Both students
participated
equally during
the presentation
Speakers make
eye contact with
the entire class
throughout the
presentation
Speakers project
voices
throughout the
presentation so
that all can hear
him/her
Speakers assume
a strong stance
and does not
engage in any
nervous
movements
N/A
N/A
One thing you did well in your presentation…
One thing you need to work on for the future is
Speakers can be
heard
throughout
presentation with
minor lapses
Speakers assume
a strong stance
and engages in a
minor nervous
movement
N/A
Speakers make
minor eye
contact with
some of the class
1
One student
participated (the
whole time or
the majority of
the time)
Speakers make
no eye contact
with the class
N/A
Speakers hard to
hear
throughout
presentation
N/A
Speakers do not
assume a strong
stance and
engages in
nervous
movement
throughout
Total Score:
_____ / 30