Read Write Think: Tale of Text Messages: A Character Study of a Tale of Two Cities

Students engage in a character study of the numerous figures created by Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities. They compare and contrast several forms of communication: email, text message, and telephone; complete a character study chart that breaks down physical background, character traits, social status/background, unanswered questions about the character, and a final judgment about the character; and create text messages between numerous characters that show the relationship between the characters, their background, and plot points that they are involved in. The lesson concludes with students sharing their text messages and a discussion of the rationales behind their choices.