Literatinder
Objective: This worksheet aims to engage students with literary figures and their works by transforming them into "Literatinder" profiles, thereby promoting an understanding of literary themes, authorial styles, and character traits in a creative and interactive manner.
Content and methods: The worksheet presents several "Literatinder" profiles of fictionalized literary figures, each with a quote, "I am a fan of" interests, and an "About me" section, alluding to their respective literary works and themes. Students are prompted to "swipe right or left" and then to rate these profiles based on personality, resume, and relevance of their works today, justifying their choices. Further activities include choosing a "SuperSwipe" and explaining the choice, imagining a first chat with this chosen character, identifying compatible matches among the profiles by analyzing similarities and differences, and a partner/group activity to continue a "first date" dialogue between two matched literary figures. The worksheet concludes with a creative task to create a new "Literatinder" profile for an author or literary character.
Competencies:
- Literary analysis and interpretation
- Critical thinking and evaluation
- Creative writing and role-playing
- Research skills (implied for informed decisions on profiles)
- Understanding of literary themes and authorial intent
- Justification of opinions
- Collaboration and discussion
Target group: 8th-10th grade
63 other teachers use this template
Target group and level
8th-10th grade
Subjects
Literatinder
Literatinder explained!
You surely know the dating app Tinder. Below, you see various profiles, potential matches that you can engage with and use to complete assignments. Do you swipe right or left? In the end, create your own Literatinder profile.
Gregor, 30
I am a fan of: Existential musings, Kafkaesque situations, and embracing the absurd.
Sethe, 32
I am a fan of: Family, resilience, and finding freedom.
Jekyll, 28
I am a fan of: Science, duality, and unraveling the mysteries of the human psyche.
Anita, 27
I am a fan of: Culture, introspection, and storytelling.
Franz, 29
I am a fan of: Surrealism, existentialism, and nightmarish bureaucracy.
Haruki, 31
I am a fan of: Jazz, running, and magical realism.
Rate the Match!
Rate the swiping selection on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = not interesting/not a good fit, 5 = very interesting/perfect match).
Consider factors like an intriguing profile, personality, or the relevance of their work today. You can also research the authors and literary figures before rating to make a more informed decision.
Afterward, compare your results with your classmates!
SuperSwipe
Who gets your SuperSwipe? Who do you find the most interesting? Who appeals to you? Who doesn't? Choose a person and explain your choice.
Choose a person for your SuperSwipe and explain why you chose them.
The first chat
You have decided on your SuperSwipe. Imagine the first chat between you two. What questions would you like to ask him/her? How would this person respond? What would this person say about today's conflicts, discussions, or topics in our world?
For this task, you can also use ChatGPT and design a chatbot for your person.
The first chat
The perfect match - Who is compatible with whom?
You have chosen a person. However, there wasn't really any spark between you two. Help them find the right match among the other profiles. What similarities and differences do these people have? Who might be the best match? Who could get along well with your SuperSwipe? Provide reasons.
The first date - What happens next? (partner/group work)
A randomly chosen match meets—now it’s up to you to continue the story!
Decide who will take on each character’s role and step into their shoes. How does the first date unfold? What questions are asked? How do they respond?
Think it through, take notes, and bring the scene to life!
Anita Desai and Haruki Murakami matched on a dating app, both drawn to each other's unique storytelling and cultural backgrounds.
They decided to meet at a quaint bookshop café in Tokyo, surrounded by the scent of old books and freshly brewed coffee.
Anita Desai: Haruki, your novels often blend the fantastical with the mundane. How do you balance those elements in your writing?
Haruki Murakami: It’s like dreaming while being awake, Anita. The ordinary world has its own magic if you look closely. How do you capture the subtleties of cultural identity in your narratives?
Anita Desai: I focus on the inner lives of my characters, their struggles and conflicts within their cultural contexts. It's like peeling layers of an onion. Do you find your characters’ journeys reflect your own search for identity?
Haruki Murakami: In a way, yes. Writing is my way of exploring different facets of myself and the world. Your novels often deal with familial bonds. How does your own family history influence your stories?
Anita Desai: My mixed heritage offers a rich tapestry of experiences and conflicts to draw from. It's a never-ending source of inspiration. Do you think our backgrounds shape our writing more than anything else?
Haruki Murakami: Definitely. Our experiences become the foundation of our stories. Speaking of experiences, do you believe that the past always haunts us, as it does in your novel "Beloved"?
Anita Desai: The past is a shadow we can’t escape, but understanding it can lead to healing. Do you think writing can be a form of exorcism for our inner demons?
How does the dialogue continue? Think about it together.
And now you!
Create a dating profile for an author or literary character of your choice. Include their first name, age, a "slogan" or quote, as well as hobbies or a brief "About Me" description. What makes them special? Display your profiles in a gallery walk and give out your (Super)Swipes!