1. Priscilla and the Wimps
Level 3
5.15 finding humor
Priscilla and the Wimps

2. Purpose To identify and analyze elements of humor in a text
To identify and analyze levels of comedy in a text
To write an analysis of a humorous text

3. Gallery Walk 15 minutes Small Group Activity
Each group will be assigned one element of humor.
The group will create a poster that includes the element, its definition, and a visual representation.
Remember to use good layout techniques for effective communication. 15
minutes
Gallery Walk

4. Essential Question
How is humor created?

5. Read aloud Peck’s story…
While reading….
Students will mark the text to identify your assigned element of humor.
You will be the expert on this element… take good notes.
Read aloud
Peck’s story…

6. Copy this Chart Humorous Effect Examples from Text Comedic Effect
Comic Characters and Caricatures
Comic Situations
Comic Language:
Wordplay
One liners
Puns
Hyperbole

7. Jigsaw New Group Assignment
Each of you will be the expert for your element of humor.
Working in a new group, share the author’s use of the element to complete the chart.

8. Discussing the Chart Humorous Effect Examples from Text Comedic Effect
Comic Characters and Caricatures
Comic Situations
Comic Language:
Wordplay
One liners
Puns
Hyperbole
Shows the enormity of Priscilla’s stature, causing the narrator to be awestruck.
Comic Character: “Priscilla was, hands down, the largest student in our particular institution of learning. I’m not talking big. Even beautiful, in a bionic way.”

9. Copy this Chart Humorous Effect Examples from Text Comedic Effect
Comic Characters and Caricatures
Previous slide
Comic Situations
Comic Language:
Wordplay
One liners
Puns
Hyperbole
“And with a single mighty thrust forward, frog-marches Monk into her own locker. It’s incredible. His ostrich-skin boots click once in the air. And suddenly he’s gone, neatly wedged into the locker, a perfect fit. Priscilla bangs the door shut, twirls the lock, and strolls out of school. Melvin goes with her, of course, trotting along below her shoulder. The last stragglers leave quietly.”
Shows how Priscilla rules Monk for that moment.

10. Copy this Chart Humorous Effect Examples from Text Comedic Effect
Comic Characters and Caricatures
Previous Slide
Comic Situations
Comic Language:
Wordplay
One liners
Puns
Hyperbole
“You talk about the Odd Couple.”
Allusion to television show.
Shows that gang members don’t have an identity outside of their group.
“Gang members don’t need names. They’ve got group identity.”
“Priscilla was sort of above everything.”
This pun exaggerates her height as well as her disregard of Monk.
This shows the ridiculousness of the power Monk has on others.
“There were a few cases of advanced malnutrition among the newer kids.”

11. Discuss High Levels of Comedy What are the levels of comedy?
You may need to review your notes.
Classify “Priscilla and the Wimps” as low and/or high comedy, paraphrase they type of comedy, and give evidence for your conclusion.
Level of Comedy
Explanation (paraphrase)
Evidence from “Priscilla and the Wimps”
“The school was old Monk’s Garden of Eden. Unfortunately for him, there was a serpent in it. The reason Monk didn’t recognize trouble when it was staring him the face is that the serpent in Kobras’ Eden was a girl.”
High

12. Revisit Humorous Vocabulary
Each Group will select 3 words that accurately describe the humor and the intended response.
Humorous Voc Word
Detail from Text
Commentary
(How the detail demonstrates the voc word.)
Witty
“The school was old Monk’s Garden of Eden. Unfortunately for him, there was a serpent in it.”
The reference to the Garden of Eden is a Biblical allusion.
Sharing

13. One Essay per Person Group Writing Prompt
Write a critical analysis of “Priscilla and the Wimps,” explaining how Peck uses humor to communicate a truth (universal idea about life), and evaluating his effectiveness.
Essay Organization
A. Introduction
Begin with a hook and then provide some general background information about the story (a brief overview of the characters and plot). Finally craft a thesis statement that clearly identifies the level of comedy and the elements of humor in the text
Sample Thesis: Richard Peck’s short story “Priscilla and the Wimps” is a ________ level of comedy that uses ______ and ________ to convey the idea that ______.
B. Body Paragraphs
C. Concluding Paragraphs
One Essay per Person

14. Essay Organization Essay Organization A. Introduction
Begin with a hook and then provide some general background information about the story (a brief overview of the characters and plot). Finally craft a thesis statement that clearly identifies the level of comedy and the elements of humor in the text
Sample Thesis: Richard Peck’s short story “Priscilla and the Wimps” is a ________ level of comedy that uses ______ and ________ to convey the idea that ______.
B. Body Paragraphs
Each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence, examples from the text and commentary that describes the humor or explains the intended response (effect).
First Body Paragraph: Write a topic sentence that identifies the levels of comedy and states how humor is created in the story. Provide examples from the text to support the topic sentence and explain the effect of the text and/or reader.
Additional body paragraphs: Write a topic sentence that identifies how an element of humor functions in the story. Provide examples form the text to support the topic sentence and explain the effect of that element on the text and/or reader.
C. Concluding Paragraphs
Discuss the universal truth revealed through the text, and evaluate the effectiveness of the author’s humor to communicate this truth.

15. Sharing of Essays Each group will pass their essay to the next group.
Once the group receives the essays, one person from the group will read the essay aloud while the rest of the group follows along, noting their suggestions for revision on the paper. Groups should generate suggestions until it is time to rotate papers to the next group. (5 minutes)
Once students have read at least three essays, return the essays to the owners and allow them to make revisions.
As a class, make a list of common errors that need to be addressed.