Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What is the difference between reading poetry and reading prose (stories)? What story elements might poetry portray more effectively than prose? What is lost when writing in poetry?

Teaching Suggestion: This question is designed to introduce the structure of the text and give students the freedom to share their personal opinions and experience with each type of writing. After hearing what students say, consider grouping students to create their own definition for each type of writing. Then, you may want to offer definitions (like prose and poem) to support as well as challenge students’ assumptions about genre.

• This 8-minute video discusses the differences between traditional novels and novels in verse using YA novels as models. Note: Consider stopping after 5 minutes when the speaker begins to discuss graphic novels.
• This handout from ReadWriteThink makes clear-cut distinctions between genres.

2. This story begins in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. List facts and themes that you recall from prior learning about the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War.