frankenstein writing assignments

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Teaching ‘Frankenstein’ With The New York Times

By Caroline Crosson Gilpin

• Feb. 15, 2017

Two hundred years ago this June, 19-year-old Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley sat in a hotel on Lake Geneva in Switzerland, in a relentless cold rain caused by bizarre weather from a massive volcanic eruption half a world away. Vacationing with her future husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley ; her stepsister, Claire Clairmont; and the poet Lord Byron , Mary Shelley dreamed up her Gothic novel “Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus” in response to a parlor game challenge to beat the boredom brought on by vacation cabin fever.

In the two centuries since, the novel has been taught worldwide, adapted into every possible art form, infused into popular culture and used to kick-start conversations on themes ranging from religion to law, from science to art.

The text has been modernized, modified and misunderstood (people have often mistakenly called the creature “Frankenstein,” for example), and yet the book remains enduringly relevant for the universal questions it raises on the nature of human existence.

To mark the 200th birthday of “ Frankenstein ,” we have updated our older Learning Network lessons with recent Times resources to pair with the text. We also provide teaching ideas related to theme and suggest activities for students.

The Story Behind the Story

The story behind “Frankenstein” is as intriguing as the novel itself. Mary Shelley’s life , and that of her mother and father , provide insight into her intellect, fears, fascination with science and musings on human nature. The mid-1800s gave rise to experiments with newly discovered electricity , galvanism and attempts to bring the dead back to life , and Shelley and her intellectual contemporaries spent hours discussing these experiments and their implications for the world.

“Frankenstein” is a good example of a Gothic novel in the Romantic form, and is an early science fiction work. It is written as an epistolary novel and uses the narrative framework of “stories within a story,” with the main plot sandwiched between an introduction and conclusion by a second narrator, Sir Robert Walton.

The novel’s real brilliance, however, lies in its presentation of countless universal themes, and the questions it raises about them. Several of the novel’s most prominent themes — friendship, appearances and bioethics, for example — are featured with teaching ideas below.

Four Teaching Ideas

1. Frankenstein and Bioethics

In the 1800s as today, advances in medical science outpaced discussions of the social, cultural, legal and ethical implications of those advances. Just as Shelley and her contemporaries debated the issues, so do today’s thinkers, and the study of bioethics is an international one.

The United Nations’ International Bioethics Committee and, in the United States, the 2009-17 Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues are just two governing bodies that have sought to develop principles and guidelines for safe and ethical medical research in areas such as stem cell therapies, organ donation and harvesting, genetic testing, cloning and animal to human transplants.

Before reading the novel, students can explore the Brocher Foundation , founded in 2006, an organization that hosts meetings of scientists and experts to discuss the ethical, legal and social implications of the development of medical research and biotechnologies. The foundation encourages multidisciplinary research in the areas of law, anthropology, history, bioethics and philosophy, and has backed the publication of hundreds of books and articles that have come out of its meetings. Stanford University also has a growing site devoted to “Frankenstein” and ethics in scientific research.

Then, pair the novel with Times coverage of experiments in bioethics.

For example, students might read about China’s experimental attempts at human head transplant surgery in “ Doctor’s Plan for Full-Body Transplants Raises Doubts Even in Daring China .” Or they might read about a Pew Research Center study on distrust of scientists in “ Building a Better Human With Science? The Public Says, No Thanks .”

Other options? Students might weigh in on a Student Opinion question we asked in 2012, “ Given Unlimited Resources, What Scientific or Medical Problem Would You Investigate? ” Or they might voice their opinions on another Times article, “ Should Parents of Children With Severe Disabilities Be Allowed to Stop Their Growth? ”

As they read articles about bioethics, they might use the following prompts for writing and discussion:

• Are potentially harmful scientific experiments justified in the name of new knowledge and discovery?

• How big a role should ethics play in scientists’ decisions about their research?

• What makes a responsible, or irresponsible, doctor or scientist?

• In “Frankenstein,” who is responsible for the creature’s murderous acts: Dr. Frankenstein or the creature himself? Are parents responsible for their children’s actions?

Finally, in a related Learning Network lesson, “ Tinkering With Nature: Weighing the Benefits and Risks of Genetically Engineering Animals ,” students can learn about the process of gene editing, consider the ethical questions inherent in tinkering with animal DNA, and debate two very different case studies of animals already engineered: fast-growing salmon and offspring-free mosquitoes. They can also consider the benefits and risks of additional genetic engineering applications, including editing human DNA.

2. Frankenstein and Friendship

Why do some human beings turn to violence after abuse or mistreatment, while others do not? To what extent can friendships and other human connections save a person from depression, or even depravity or violence?

Does true friendship exist? If so, what conditions must exist, or not exist, in order for it to flourish? How important are human connections to a full and satisfying life?

To explore these questions, pair the Shelley novel with the 1980 David Lynch movie “ The Elephant Man ” (and The Times’s movie review ). The film, based on real-life Joseph Merrick, tells the story of a congenitally disfigured 19th-century Englishman rescued from circus slavery by Frederick Treves, a prominent London surgeon.

Ask students to read an excerpt from the economics professor Todd May’s book “ Friendship in an Age of Economics ” and apply Aristotle’s three types of friendship — those of utility, pleasure, and true friendship — to the characters in the novel and movie.

Have students compare and contrast Frankenstein’s creature with Mr. Merrick, and discuss and write about appearances, goodness, revenge, violence and other themes.

3. Lab Lit: Writing Fiction Based on Real Science

“Frankenstein” may be the earliest example what this essay calls “lab lit.” What can we learn about science from fiction? What can we learn about the elements of fiction from stories about the work of real scientists? In “ Lab Lit: Writing Fiction Based on Real Science ,” a lesson plan based on the essay, students learn about the genre, then choose from a number of activities to explore an area of science through reading and writing lab lit.

For example, they are invited to visit the LabLit website to discover new novels, form book groups and think about the scientific, ethical and literary questions the essay raises.

4. The Power of Appearance

In “Frankenstein,” Shelley creates characters whose outward beauty is consistent with inner goodness, and ugly characters who are murderous. What questions does this raise? What is Shelley saying about human nature and prejudice or superficiality?

Pair the novel with two Learning Network Student Opinion features. In the first , we ask the question, “How important is it to be attractive in our society?” The feature includes a related Times op-ed essay, “ Being Dishonest About Ugliness ,” by Julia Baird, who writes:

Adults often tangle themselves in knots when discussing physical appearance with children. We try to iron out differences by insisting they don’t matter, attribute a greater moral fortitude to the plain or leap in defensively when someone is described as not conventionally attractive, or — worse — ugly or fat. After all, there are better, kinder words to use, or other characteristics to focus on. The Australian author Robert Hoge, who describes himself as “the ugliest person you’ve never met,” thinks we get it all wrong when we tell children looks don’t matter: “They know perfectly well they do.”

The second Student Opinion question asks, “Do you judge political candidates by their looks?” and requires students to examine the power of image in politics. How do candidates’ looks — including their hairstyles and clothing choices — send messages to voters? Would their opinion of any politicians or candidates change if they looked very different? What type of look and style do they think most appeals to voters? Why?

Activity Sheets: With any of the teaching ideas above, students might take notes using one or more of the three graphic organizers (PDFs) we have created:

• Comparing Two or More Texts

• Double-Entry Chart for Close Reading

• Document Analysis Questions

Popular Culture and ‘Frankenstein’

For at least a century, “Frankenstein” has influenced popular culture. The novel has inspired hundreds of other novels, films, television shows, radio programs, parodies, satires, songs, advertisements, toys, comics, video games and children’s books.

Ask your students which of the many uses of the Frankenstein story below is most interesting to them. Why? Where else can they see the influence of the story, characters or themes on popular culture?

And most important, what could they create that would update “Frankenstein” for our times? Maybe the selections below will provide some inspiration.

The first film adaptation, in 1910, was a silent, 16-minute black-and-white film by Edison Productions . Other versions followed on its heels.

More modern adaptations include the popular “Bride of Frankenstein,” the sequel to the 1931 movie “Frankenstein,” starring Boris Karloff as the monster.

The song “ Monster Mash ” was a 1964 hit by Bobby Pickett, who specialized in Karloff imitations. The song is narrated by a mad scientist whose monster, late one evening, rises from a slab to perform a new dance. The dance becomes “the hit of the land” when the scientist gives a party for other monsters.

Another popular movie version is “ Young Frankenstein ,” the 1974 spoof by the comedian and director Mel Brooks. Gene Wilder plays the title character.

“ Prometheus ” is a 2012 movie by Ridley Scott, the director of “Alien” and “Blade Runner.” Mr. Scott creates a myth in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of humankind on Earth. The Times reviewed the film .

The 2016 full-length “Frankenstein” ballet was choreographed by the Royal Ballet artist-in-residence and Queensland Ballet artistic director Liam Scarlett. Mr. Scarlett discussed the creative process of adapting the novel.

“Victor Frankenstein,” a 2015 movie starring Daniel Radcliffe, was reviewed by Manohla Dargis of The Times in “ ‘Victor Frankenstein’ Recasts a Tale That Keeps On Giving .”

Commercial ventures and marketing ideas capitalizing on the 200th birthday of the novel are popping up on TV and social media as the anniversary gets closer. Apple’s 2016 holiday message, “Frankie’s Holiday,” is one good example, showing the monster tearfully getting the love and acceptance he always craved.

Fashion and clothing design are also no stranger to the sway of Shelley’s sci-fi thriller. In a recent advertisement that pays tribute to the novel, the owner of Chronopassion Paris, Laurent Picciotto, plays Dr. Frankenstein. The monster wears the Swiss luxury watch brand HYT’s H3, or “The New Prometheus,” watch.

Runway models at Paris Fashion Week wore Frankenstein-inspired suits from Balenciaga’s spring/summer 2017 men’s wear collection. The designer Demna Gvasalia’s fall 2017 men’s wear collection for Balenciaga features Frankenstein-proportioned suits for the office.

And finally, the extraordinary life of Mary Shelley and her relationship with her husband are the focus of a new biopic starring Elle Fanning and directed by the Saudi filmmaker Haifaa al-Mansour.

Additional Resources

From The Times

1931 | “ A Man-Made Monster in Grand Guignol Film Story ”

1974 | “ 2 Parties, 800 Guests, 1 Big Night ”

2003 | “ How Much of the Body Is Replaceable? ”

2005 | “ Dire Wounds, a New Face, a Glimpse in a Mirror ”

2006 | “ Frankenstein, Meet Your Forefathers ”

2007 | “ Are Scientists Playing God? It Depends on Your Religion ”

2010 | “ Our Life, Between Sea and Oil ”

2011 | “ ‘It’s Alive! It’s Alive!’ Maybe Right Here on Earth ”

2012 | “ Messing With Mother Nature ”

2013 | “ ‘Frankenstein’ Manuscript Comes Alive in Online Shelley Archive ”

2015 | “ A Volcanic Eruption That Reverberates 200 Years Later ”

2015 | “ Readers on Donald Trump: Bigot, Patriot or Frankenstein’s Monster? ”

2016 | “ Building a Better Human With Science? The Public Says, No Thanks ”

2016 | “ In London, a Frankenstein With Empathy ”

Times Topic Pages

Mary Shelley

Genetic Engineering

Science Fiction

From Around the Web

Arizona State University | The Frankenstein Bicentennial Project

The New Republic | “ How Frankenstein's Monster Became Real ”

Slate | “ How a Volcano Helped Inspire ‘Frankenstein’ ”

Slate | “ The Science That Inspired Mary Shelley ”

The Guardian | “ What Frankenstein Means Now ”

Slate | “ Why Frankenstein Is Still Relevant, Almost 200 Years After It Was Published ”

More Learning Network Literature Collections

We have many more collections like this one that match Times articles with often-taught authors and works of literature, including:

Orwell and “1984”

Charles Dickens

Shakespeare

“To Kill a Mockingbird”

“The Great Gatsby”

Mark Twain and “Huckleberry Finn”

“The Grapes of Wrath”

“Harry Potter”

“The Hunger Games”

“The Kite Runner”

Maya Angelou

“The Scarlet Letter”

“The Catcher in the Rye”

“The Crucible”

“Death of a Salesman”

“Lord of the Flies”

“The Giver”

“Of Mice and Men”

“A Raisin in the Sun”

“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”

“The Glass Castle”

“The Book Thief”

“Enrique’s Journey”

Frankenstein: Essay Samples

Welcome to Frankenstein Essay Samples page prepared by our editorial team! Here you’ll find a number of great ideas for your Frankenstein essay! Absolutely free essays & research papers on Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Examples of all topics and paper genres.

📝 Frankenstein: Essay Samples List

Frankenstein , by Mary Shelley , is famous all over the world. School and college students are often asked to write about the novel. On this page, you can find a collection of free sample essays and research papers that focus on Frankenstein . Literary analysis , compare & contrast essays, papers devoted to Frankenstein ’s characters & themes, and much more. You are welcome to use these texts for inspiration while you work on your own Frankenstein essay.

• Feminism in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Genre: Critical Analysis Essay Words: 2280 Focused on: Frankenstein ’s Themes Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Elizabeth Lavenza , Justine Moritz
• Frankenstein’s Historical Context: Review of “In Frankenstein’s Shadow” by Chris Baldrick Genre: Critical Writing Words: 1114 Focused on: Historical Context of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: the Monster
• Science & Nature in Frankenstein & Blade Runner Genre: Essay Words: Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein , Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
• Romanticism in Frankenstein: the Use of Poetry in the Novel’s Narrative Genre: Essay Words: 1655 Focused on: Literary analysis of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, Henry Clerval
• The Dangers of Science in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Genre: Essay Words: 1098 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as a Tragedy Genre: Essay Words: 540 Focused on: Literary analysis of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein
• Frankenstein: a Deconstructive Reading Genre: Essay Words: 2445 Focused on: Literary analysis of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
• Ethics as a Theme in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Genre: Essay Words: 901 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
• Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’: Chapter 18 Analysis Genre: Essay Words: 567 Focused on: Literary analysis of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Elisabeth Lavenza
• The Role of Women in Frankenstein Genre: Essay Words: 883 Focused on: Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: Caroline Beaufort, Elizabeth Lavenza, Justine Moritz
• On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer vs. Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus: Compare & Contrast Genre: Essay Words: 739 Focused on: Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: the Monster
• Macbeth & Frankenstein: Compare & Contrast Genre: Essay Words: 2327 Focused on: Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
• Dr. Frankenstein & His Monster: Compare & Contrast Genre: Research Paper Words: 1365 Focused on: Compare & Contrast, Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
• Education vs. Family in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Genre: Essay Words: 1652 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein
• Victor Frankenstein vs. the Creature: Compare & Contrast Genre: Research Paper Words: 1104 Focused on: Compare & Contrast, Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
• Frankenstein: Monster’s Appearance & Visual Interpretations Genre: Essay Words: 812 Focused on: Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: the Monster
• Doctor Frankenstein: Hero, Villain, or Something in Between? Genre: Essay Words: 897 Focused on: Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: 1994 Movie Analysis Genre: Essay Words: 1084 Focused on: Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Elizabeth Lavenza
• Frankenstein vs. Great Expectations: Compare & Contrast Genre: Essay Words: 2540 Focused on: Compare & Contrast, Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Robert Walton
• Innocence of Frankenstein’s Monster Genre: Term Paper Words: 2777 Focused on: Frankenstein Characters Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Robert Walton
• Knowledge as the Main Theme in Frankenstein Genre: Term Paper Words: 2934 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Robert Walton, Henry Clerval, Elisabeth Lavenza, Willian Frankenstein
• Responsibility as a Theme in Frankenstein Genre: Essay Words: 619 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein
• Homosexuality in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Genre: Research Paper Words: 2340 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, Henry Clerval
• Frankenstein & the Context of Enlightenment Genre: Historical Context of Frankenstein Words: 1458 Focused on: Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
• Frankenstein: the Theme of Birth Genre: Essay Words: 1743 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
• Frankenstein: Critical Reflections by Ginn & Hetherington Genre: Essay Words: 677 Focused on: Compare & Contrast Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein, the Monster
• Loneliness & Isolation in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Genre: Essay Words: 609 Focused on: Themes of Frankenstein Characters mentioned: Victor Frankenstein
• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to email

Study Guide Menu

• Plot Summary
• Summary & Analysis
• Literary Devices & Symbols
• Essay Samples
• Essay Topics
• Questions & Answers
• Mary Shelley: Biography
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, March 12). Frankenstein: Essay Samples. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/essay-samples/

"Frankenstein: Essay Samples." IvyPanda , 12 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/essay-samples/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Frankenstein: Essay Samples'. 12 March.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Frankenstein: Essay Samples." March 12, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/essay-samples/.

1. IvyPanda . "Frankenstein: Essay Samples." March 12, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/essay-samples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Frankenstein: Essay Samples." March 12, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/essay-samples/.

Frankenstein

Mary shelley, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Frankenstein: Introduction

Frankenstein: plot summary, frankenstein: detailed summary & analysis, frankenstein: themes, frankenstein: quotes, frankenstein: characters, frankenstein: symbols, frankenstein: literary devices, frankenstein: quizzes, frankenstein: theme wheel, brief biography of mary shelley.

Historical Context of Frankenstein

Other books related to frankenstein.

• Full Title: Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus
• When Published: 1818
• Literary Period: Switzerland and London, England: 1816–1817
• Genre: Gothic novel
• Setting: Switzerland, France, England, Scotland, and the North Pole in the 18th century
• Climax: The Monster's murder of Elizabeth Lavenza on her wedding night to Victor
• Antagonist: The Monster
• Point of View: Frankenstein is told through a few layers of first person narratives. Walton is the primary narrator, who then recounts Victor's first-person narrative. In addition, Victor's narrative contains the monster's first person story as well as letters from other characters.

Extra Credit for Frankenstein

A ghost story. On a stormy night in June of 1816, Mary Shelley, her husband, and a few other companions, including the Romantic poet Lord Byron, decided to try to write their own ghost stories, but Shelley couldn't come up with any ideas. A few nights later, she had a dream in which she envisioned "the pale student of unhallowed arts" kneeling beside his creation—the monster. She began writing the story that became Frankenstein the next morning.

The Tale of Two Frankensteins. Shelley published the first edition of Frankenstein anonymously, perhaps due to her concern that such a grim and violent tale would not be well received by her audience if they knew her gender. She revised the novel and published it under her real name in 1831. Some key differences exist between the editions, namely that in the first edition, Elizabeth is Alphonse's niece and, therefore, Victor's cousin. (In the 1831 edition, the more popular version and the one used in this Outline, the Frankensteins adopt Elizabeth from another family).

• About Mrs. Carter
• My Favorite Things: Teacher Edition
• 10-Point Uniform Grading Scale
• Student Teacher
• Welcome Back to School!
• Course Documents & Calendar
• Determining Literary Merit
• SPAFF Research
• ADH Act Responses
• The Other Wes Moore
• George Orwell
• Greek Drama - Sophocles
• The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
• The Count of Monte Cristo
• Blink Reflection
• Debate Proposal
• Mrs. Carter's Editing Marks
• Debate Argument & Refutation
• Current Event Debate 1718
• Orwell - Media Connections
• Debriefing Questions
• Social Identity
• Mental Models
• Values & Actions
• Drawbridge Exercise
• Feedback Loop
• ALA Portfolio
• Classes of 2017-19
• Class of 2020
• Class of 2021
• Found Poetry: Bluest Eye
• Hamlet Writing Assignments
• Hamlet - Further Reading
• Hamlet - Just for Fun
• Poetry Circles
• Choice Reading Assignment
• Professor Discussions
• Frankenstein Related Material
• The Poisonwood Bible
• TBE Discussion & Further Reading
• The Things They Carried
• 9-Point AP Rubric
• Introductions & Thesis Statements
• Elevating Your Writing Through Color
• Think Pieces
• Writing Feedback
• AP LIT TERM LISTS
• Level H Vocabulary
• Letters of Recommendation
• Thank You Notes
• College Essays & Personal Statements
• Excellent AP Review Tools
• Calibration & Reflection
• Multiple Choice Review
• Prose Review
• Overcoming Obstacles: The REALLY Big Ones
• Overcoming Obstacles: Governing Bodies
• Overcoming Obstacles: The Ones Around Us
• Overcoming Obstacles: The Ones Within Us
• Ender's Game
• Article of the Week
• Short Stories
• Animal Farm
• Bronx Masquerade
• A Doll's House
• Announcements
• Service Hours
• Interviewing Infographic
• Literary Terms & Vocabulary
• Note-taking
• SAT, ACT, & AP Tests
• Student Information
• Compressing Video
• Embedding Files
• Turnitin.com
• Annotating a Book
• Book Trailers
• Checkout Form
• Pre-AP and AP Reading List

Frankenstein Podcasts (free)

Before you read:   , as you read :  active reading assignments and homework.

• Add to this after reading Rime of the Ancient Mariner, The Creation of Man by Prometheus,  Paradise Lost, and Meditation 17.
• In-class lesson:   Incorporating quotations in your writing
• In-class lesson: Close reading: Frankenstein , from chapter 5
• In-class lesson:  Read The Creation of Man by Prometheus myth.  The subtitle of Frankenstein is A Modern Prometheus.  Add information about this story to your Related Readings handout .  Summarize, state theme, and relate to novel so far (consider subtitle).
• In-class lesson:   Close reading: Frankenstein , from chapter 7
• In-class lesson:  N otes:   Elements of the Gothic Novel & Romanticism  
• In-class lesson: Nature vs. Nurture Research & Annotated Bibliography Assignment  - As you complete this assignment, remember that Google Advanced Search and Easy Bib are two tools that may be helpful.  Use the school's account information for Easy Bib to enable the APA citation help.  Begin considering this concept for your final essay on the novel:  What/who is more at fault in the story - the monster's nature or the way in which he is/isn't nurtured?  Cite textual evidence to support your answer.
• In-class lesson:  Read the   Paradise Lost  (excerpt) by John Milton about Satan being cast into Hell and his promise to constantly wage war with God.  Examine the monster's story in  Frankenstein  for thematic parallels.  There will be more in the next reading section, but start looking for the motifs of abandonment and loneliness.
• In-class lesson:  Read the   Paradise Lost  (excerpt) by John Milton about Satan being cast into Hell and his promise to constantly wage war with God.  Examine the monster's story in  Frankenstein  for thematic parallels to Paradise Lost  (excerpt) by John Milton about Satan being cast into Hell.
• In-class activity:   Frankenstein in Political Cartoons
• In-class activity:  Read  "No Man is an Island" (poem)  and  "Meditation 17" (sermon)  by John Donne.  How do the themes about human connectivity in these texts relate to  Frankenstein ?
• Nature vs. Nurture Research Assignment
• Nature vs. Nurture Annotated Bibliography Assignment
• Purdue OWL:  APA Formatting and Style Guide
• Purdue OWL: Annotated Bibliographies
• Purdue OWL: Sample Entries for APA Annotated Bibliographies
• Sample Annotated Bibliography PDF , Bethel University

AFTER you read

• Consider the frame story.  Does Walton end up like Victor?  Why/why not? Cite evidence.
• Who bears responsibility for the tragedy in the novel?  the monster? Victor? society?  Why?
• The subtitle of the novel is "The Modern Prometheus."  Read the summary of this Greek myth .  Why do you think Shelley chose to subtitle her work this way?  What are the thematic connections between the myth and the novel?

Introduction: Decoding the Past: The Real Dr. Frankenstein

Teaching Frankenstein: How to deal with four big challenges

Frankenstein is my pick for MVP in the British literature curriculum. Of course, it has the attention-getting corpse reanimation thing going for it, but what’s really impressive is how so many of the questions raised by Frankenstein continue to feel acutely relevant. (What kind of scientific progress should be off limits? What is required of a parent? What happens when we reject people from groups? And so on!) Plus, with the gothic fiction characteristics and Romantic ideals woven throughout, you’re never out of things to do with Frankenstein . Well, that is, as long as your students are equipped with the structures they need to analyze this text—and actually do (a good chunk of) the reading!

Frankenstein is rewarding for students when they stick with it, but it’s not an easy read, so they’re not usually intrinsically motivated to dig in. Even honors students need a lot of support to understand it! So I’m going to tell you what I think are the biggest challenges you’ll encounter when teaching a Frankenstein unit and how I developed resources to keep everyone engaged.

Challenge #1: Pop culture versions of the Creature make for a confusing start.

It’s easy enough to explain that Frankenstein is the name of the Creature’s creator and the Creature isn’t green. However, the pop culture representations of the story have staying power, so you need to make sure you have resources that overwrite those impressions and set students up to deal with the actual concerns of the novel.

Start the unit with an anticipation guide. Students identify the extent to which they agree or disagree with statements related to concerns that run through Frankenstein (e.g. “Society should commit to making scientific progress, even if it means some harm is done in the process.”) Discussing their responses sets the tone that the novel isn’t just a goofy horror story.

Then, follow up with introductory slides that go into more detail about the influences on Mary Shelley’s writing, including Romantic era concerns about the moral dangers of using science to prolong life, ideas about nature vs. nurture, and the effects of social rejection. After you do an anticipation guide and provide historical context, students will be well-oriented to what Frankenstein is all about.

Related resources: Frankenstein Pre- and Post-Reading Check-in Frankenstein Introductory Slides

Challenge #2: It’s really dense!

A short set of questions about the big concerns of Frankenstein (like the reading guides you sometimes see at the back of books) isn’t enough to help students understand what’s going on each chapter. There are so many events, settings, characters, and ideas densely packed into Frankenstein that it’s easy to lose track of what’s going on. That’s why my study packet has 240 reading questions that correspond to 8 reading check quizzes. Yeah, that seems like a lot, but when students knew exactly what to look out for during their homework reading, class discussions were a lot livelier—with a lot less BSing.

Related resources: Frankenstein Study Packet Frankenstein Quiz Bundle

Challenge #3: It’s really long!

It doesn’t work well to wait until you finish reading Frankenstein to do assignments about the big themes and ideas. For one, students get bored if the reading questions aren’t broken up by something else. Also, if they haven’t been prompted about important points to notice while they’re reading a pertinent chapter, they tend to miss them and aren’t prepared to use the material in a final project. So I like giving questions after each chapter that highlight the themes and get students to relate them to today’s world. In addition to the reading questions that track the plot, my study packet also includes questions that structure great class discussions and/or short writing opportunities. Exploring Frankenstein -related topics like the ethics of science and exploration, the effects of socialization and isolation, and psychology makes an old text feel relevant. And tracking themes and motifs while reading the text (instead of hunting around for them afterwards for a big assignment) adds kind of a fun puzzle element to the novel study. With those questions for support, class time flies by. It’s an amazing feeling to have no awkward silences when you’re discussing a tough text!

Related resources:

Frankenstein Study Packet Nature vs. Nurture Worksheet

Challenge #4: It’s difficult for students to write original, insightful essays about it.

I used to see the Frankenstein unit as a good opportunity to get students to write a formal essay because there were so many topics to choose from and so much material to work with. But I would be disappointed in the results because of the usual problems: most students regurgitated ideas they heard in class without elaborating and dropped in huge quotations from the novel (…via SparkNotes…) without explaining their significance. And it bothered me! Frankenstein is so important that I wanted my students to take away more genuine learning and appreciation.

I discovered that students were engaged (and the vibe was positive) when we did two or three smaller, scaffolded writing assignments at the end of the unit. The “Theme and Motif Analysis” assignment linked below gets students to identify classic and of-the-moment takeaways that develop from tracking those elements. The “What makes us human?” assignment gets students to connect Frankenstein to recent articles and media, which I’ve noticed excites students who are typically more interested in science and math. And the “Frankenfolio” project offers a menu of creative and interesting options that make it easy for everyone to participate. It’s a group project that only takes a couple of days and is a nice way to celebrate making it through a major literary text!

Related resources: Frankenstein Writing Assignment: What makes us human? Frankenstein Theme and Motif Analysis Frankenstein Final Project: The Frankenfolio

In conclusion

Frankenstein is rich with ideas that are relevant to our time, but let’s be honest: it’s long and was written in the early 1800s, so it’s hard to convince students to read it word for word. You need a lot resources throughout your unit (not just at the end!) to keep students engaged and building understandings. Check out my Frankenstein Unit Bundle for everything you need, whether you’re starting from scratch or want to supplement what you’ve already created!

Browse the BritLitWit store

Ready for more?

Frankenstein: Essay Topics & Samples

Choosing such a masterpiece to write about is a wise choice. Mary Shelley wasn’t even going to create this novel, so it is fair enough to doubt whether there is anything to analyze at all.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

However, there are so many ideas for essay topics about Frankenstein ! The most prominent questions relate to moral values, gender inequality, power, and isolation.

This article by Custom-Writing.org experts is here to help you if you don’t know what to write about or have an abundance of choices. Check out the following list of 10 Frankenstein essay prompts that might inspire you to create an ideal paper.

• 💡 Essay Topics
• ✒️ Essay Samples

💡 Frankenstein: Essay Topics

• Who is the actual Monster in Frankenstein ? When referring to Mary Shelley’s work, some people mistakenly think that Frankenstein is the name of the Monster. However, it can give some food for thought. Isn’t Victor the real creature of evil in this story ? The essay on who the real Monster in Frankenstein might cause a debate!
• The role of women in Frankenstein . You may write an essay about feminism in Frankenstein by looking at the female characters’ role in the book. You might have noticed that women are described as strong individuals. They can endure any challenge and overcome significant losses in their lives.
• Consider an essay on romanticism in Frankenstein . Even in such a dark novel, romantic motifs are hiding between death scenes. Mary Shelly refers to poetry quite a lot in the book. Your task would be to trace this connection and analyze the influence of romanticism on the story.
• Frankenstein as a warning about the dark sides of science. In this Frankenstein analysis essay, you should focus on science’s power and how it can be destructive. Nowadays, scientists are eager to achieve the same aim to create life. However, is it safe to play Gods this way? What may be the consequences?
• Victor Frankenstein : antagonist or protagonist? At first, the reader would assume that the Monster represents all the evil in this world. Later, however, he seems to be only a mere victim. Write this essay about Victor Frankenstein’s character analysis. Is he a real villain after what he’s done?
• The theme of loneliness in Frankenstein . It seems like Victor simply can’t accept his responsibility for the Monster’s loneliness. They both become isolated by one means or another. Compliment your writing with strong arguments to prove your point. Don’t forget that using quotes is a great strategy that would be extremely useful in this Frankenstein essay.
• What are the fears of Mary Shelley hiding in Frankenstein ? Analyze the novel thoroughly to find its hidden meaning. There are themes of life and death, as well as the speeded up technological development. Some of them are the fears of the authors that may be relevant up to nowadays.
• Frankenstein : human ambition vs. nature. After reading the book, the reader finds Victor guilty of going against nature. But isn’t it what humans have been doing for centuries now? Where is the line? Have we crossed it yet? In this Frankenstein essay example, you are invited to look at the novel as a warning.
• Mary Shelley’s Monster: why do we tend to sympathize with him? In his desire for freedom from loneliness, the Monster tends to complain a lot. However, we don’t perceive his words as whining. We pity him as an abandoned creature destined to suffer. What makes it so easy to sympathize with him?
• The theme of sickness in Frankenstein . Most of the main characters in the novel get unwell. The worst case is Victor’s recurring sickness. Admittedly, it is the result of the enormous amounts of stress he faces. What is the role of this element, though? Is he trying to escape the problems this way? Discuss these questions in your Frankenstein essay.

✒️ Frankenstein: Essay Samples

Below you’ll find a collection of Frankenstein essay examples. Use them for inspiration!

• Human Companionship in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
• The Science Debate: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
• The Modern Prometheus: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Science in Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and Condorcet’s Works
• Injustice in Shelley’s Frankenstein and Milton’s Paradise Lost
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: Key Themes
• The Family Relationship in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• “Young Frankenstein” by Mel Brooks
• The Modern Prometheus: Analysis of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Life Meaning in Romantic, Realistic and Modern Era
• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to email

Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist, creates a human-like creature in the course of a scientific experiment. But the beast murders his family and runs away. Science, religion, moral values, and persistence: which qualities make up a real human being? This Frankenstein Study Guide answers all your questions about the novel....

This article by Custom-Writing.org experts contains all you need to know about the Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein summary: a plot infographic of the book and a detailed description of the novel’s chapters. ❗ Frankenstein: Plot Summary Mary Shelley’s most famous novel is Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. It tells the tragic...

This article by Custom-Writing.org experts contains the description of Frankenstein’s characters: Victor Frankenstein character traits, the Monster, Robert Walton, Henry Clerval, and others. In the first section, you’ll find a Frankenstein character map. 🗺️ Frankenstein: Character Map Below you’ll find a character map of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. 👨‍🔬 Victor...

This article by Custom-Writing.org experts provides an explanation of the themes of Frankenstein. The core issues represented in Mary Shelley’s book are: dangerous knowledge, nature, isolation, monstrosity, and revenge. Keep reading to learn more about the theme of Frankenstein for your class or essay! 🔑 What Are the Major Themes...

This article by Custom-Writing.org experts explains the symbolism in Frankenstein. The key symbols used by Shelley are fire and light. 🔥 Fire in Frankenstein Let’s start with the fact that the novel’s full title is Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. It is not a coincidence. We can draw a parallel...

At some point in your studying, you might be asked to produce “The Yellow Wallpaper” analysis essay. Well, if you’re reading this, you have already received this task! Let’s start by choosing a suitable topic to write about. This article by Custom-Writing.org experts contains “The Yellow Wallpaper” essay topics, “The...

This article by Custom-Writing.org experts contains all the information about The Yellow Wallpaper’s characters: the narrator, John, Mary, and Jennie. At the end of the article, you’ll learn who Jane is and how she’s related to The Yellow Wallpaper’s main character. 🗺️ The Yellow Wallpaper: Character Map Below you’ll find...

This article by Custom-Writing.org experts provides a wide-ranging and diverse explanation of The Yellow Wallpaper’s themes. The core issues represented in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story are gender roles, mental illness, and freedom. Although the writer speaks about her own time, these themes are just as relevant today, if not...

This article by Custom-Writing.org experts contains a comprehensive analysis of literary devices in “The Yellow Wallpaper”: color symbolism, personification, point of view used by Gilman, foreshadowing, and an explanation of the ending’s meaning. 🌈 The Yellow Wallpaper: Symbolism How unfortunate is it that a woman has a mental breakdown just...

This article by Custom-Writing.org experts contains all you need to know about the events in “The Yellow Wallpaper”: a short summary, a plot infographic, and a detailed description of the story’s entries. In the first section, you’ll find a synopsis of what happened in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins...

The Metamorphosis is one of Kafka’s best-known books. It is also one of the most intricate literary pieces in world literature. This is why coming up with an excellent The Metamorphosis essay topic can be challenging. The following list can help you to get started. See if any of these...

Since its publication in 1915, Kafka’s The Metamorphosis puzzled readers and critics all over the world. The story centers around Gregor Samsa’s transformation into a gigantic insect. The situation is both surreal and unusual. However, the writer proceeds with the story in a realistic manner. Nevertheless, there is a lot...

Top 10 ideas for teaching Frankenstein

It is not often in literature that you find yourself unexpectantly on the side of the monster. Mary Shelley’s powerful and thought provoking novel challenges our assumptions of good and evil and encourages the audience to see all creations as equal and deserving of love. Frankenstein’s ‘hideous wretch’ seeks only the maternal care it is immediately denied therein leading to fascinating and lively classroom discussion.

The novel cannot be understood fully without students becoming aware of the fact that its writer was a 20 year old woman who had already suffered greatly in her short life. Motherless and losing her own child at 17 she drafted the first edition in 1818 after the monster came to her in a nightmare. By the time she had re-edited it in 1831 she had lost another 2 children and her husband, and much of its softer language was lost.  It is no wonder then that the novel is peppered with references to loss and grief. In her re-edit Shelley writes that ‘lives are decided by eternal forces we are unable to control’ which is a lovely place to begin discussion.

5 discussion points

             .

• ‘Lives are decided by eternal forces we are unable to control’ – Shelley. Do students agree or disagree with this statement?
• They may like to look at the idea of fate, or nature verses nurture. Can students also see the irony of this statement given the fact that Victor creates a life out of body parts and electricity? Is this why he is punished? Do students think that perhaps writing this novel was a cathartic experience for Shelley? Why might that be?
• What factors would you expect to find in the genre of Gothic literature?

Ask the class to collect ideas, these may include:

• the occult,
• dangerous or terrifying occurrences,
• suspicious or unnatural behaviour,
• images of horror or decay,
• the macabre,
• supernatural,

Can students find a quote to support their findings or link it to an event in the novel? A homework task could be to create their own gothic setting or novel by storyboarding or mind mapping.

• How is the monster different to stereotypical ideas? Remember, Shelley herself stated, ‘I have an affection for it’.

You may like to keep this as a discussion task, or alternatively students could refer to Pages 55-56 in the Collins Classroom Classics Frankenstein book  and create two lists as seen below:

How are the descriptions the antithesis of each other? How do you feel reading this? How do we feel about Victor? What do you think can be the outcome of this experiment?

• Explore the relationship between Victor and his monster, could it be described as a parent / child relationship?

You could prompt discussion using the following points:

• Does Victor fail as a parent? ‘Begone! I will not hear you. There can be no community between you and me. We are enemies’
• In what ways does he try to care for the monster?
• What does the monster want from him? ‘ You, my creator, abhor me…am I not alone, miserably alone’
• How is it ironic that Victor says, ‘ William, Justine and Henry all died by my hand’ yet has no guilt over his disgust at his own creation whom he wants dead
• Do you think this relationship reflects on Shelley’s own feelings at the time?
• The monster is both educated and articulate, sympathetic and revengeful. Can you think of any other monsters or monstrous characters in literature or in films you have seen that are also like this?

It may help to look at the superhero and villain genre here as many of the characters fit the gothic genre and have been ‘tampered with’ supernaturally.

 5 Activities

• Creative response activity

Look at the monster’s speech on Page 107 of the Collins Classroom Classics Frankenstein book  :

‘Be calm! I intreat you to make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous’

• Re-enact, direct, storyboard or animate this speech in pairs.
• Think about how it would be delivered: scary/scared, desperate/hopeful, pleading/warning
• Assess your peer’s versions, how do they differ? As a class can you decide on which you think is the most accurate and explain why?
• Further thinking
• Hand out whiteboards and ask students to come up with three statements about the novel which will then be directed to the classroom. This activity could be a quick starter or revision task if simple statements such as ‘ Victor dies at sea’ are used. It could also be extended to more thought provoking questioning and follow up discussion with statements such as ‘there is a real possibility with advancements in modern science that a monster such as this could be created’ . Further research and reading here could lead to the post-apocalyptic work of Margaret Atwood such as the MaddAddam Trilogy with its theme of genetic mutation, the current research and funding of real human clones, genetics or reference to shows such as Humans where human ‘synths’ are created.
• Obituary activity

Create an obituary for the funeral of a character of your choice. Look online for Victorian examples and remember that in the Victorian era funerals were as important as weddings. They made a spectacle of death and ensured that funerals were grand and fitting for the life of the one lost. Look at the obituary of Charles Dickens in 1870 as a classic example of these traits.

• October 29 th is National Frankenstein Day !

Imagine you were planning a whole school activity day. What would you suggest? Could there be a themed menu? What would you study in lessons? What would the invitation letter look like? How would you make the day special / terrifying? Is there a dress code?

• Now that you have read the whole novel, can you choose your favourite quote and illustrate it in order to make a classroom display? Be prepared to discuss your choice and why you have decorated it accordingly.

By Joanna Fliski

Joanna Fliski has taught English Literature and Language to 11-18 year olds at an urban comprehensive secondary school for 10 years, she had the highest value added score for her students and was nominated for an outstanding teacher award. As well as teaching Drama and Media GCSE she was head of PSHE, trained teachers and is a behavioural specialist. Joanna currently teaches in primary schools in Bristol. She is also a freelance author, writing resources and teacher guides for the  Cambridge IGCSE , creating schemes of work and contributing to a number of educational blogs.

Collins Classroom Classics

Just £1.50 each for schools!

New for 2019 are the Collins Classroom Classics: the complete 19th century novels accompanied by introductions and glossaries written by experienced teachers. They are designed to help students understand the context in which each novel was written in.

View the complete series >

Related Articles

Hammering it home: how writers use imagery to create effects, vocabulary expander, creative activities to bring jane austen’s persuasion to life, secondary citizenship – who picks the cotton, exam tips 4 – anti-panic strategy – by nicola morgan, other articles.

Practical approaches to teaching KS3 Shakespeare

Getting comfortable with unseen poetry

Academic writing for GCSE

Privacy overview.

Frankenstein Writing Assignments and Creative Projects

• Google Drive™ folder

Description

New to teaching Frankenstein or looking for some new writing assignment ideas? This resource contains seven different writing activities that can be used before, during and after reading the novel.

Included are:

• Ten pre-reading prompts with collaborative discussion activity.
• Three expository essay prompts
• Three argumentative essay prompts
• Three narrative essay prompts
• An obituary new article assignment
• A character analysis (with rubric)
• A quotes project (with template and rubric)

This is a great, time-saving resource for getting your students engaged with the text and writing about it, without really realizing they're writing!

Questions & Answers

Remote secondary ela.

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think

25+ easy and exciting lesson plans for Frankenstein

by mindroar | Mar 14, 2022 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Are you searching for lesson plans for Frankenstein ? Then you’ve come to the right place. We have 25 easy and exciting lesson plans and activities for teaching Frankenstein .

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has had a far-reaching influence on popular culture. And yet many people only know and understand the surface-level of the novel, an evil monster created by a mad scientist.

Help your students better understand this Gothic novel using one of these Frankenstein lesson plans or activities.

Pre-reading lesson plans for  Frankenstein

Before reading the novel, it’s a great idea to do some pre-reading activities to activate students’ prior knowledge, as well as fill knowledge gaps they may have.

1. Pre-reading carousel discussion

The first Frankenstein pre-reading activity on our list is this pre-reading carousel discussion by English Bulldog.

The carousel activity is like English Bulldog’s other carousel activities, where students move around the room reading posters with statements on them. Students must leave a statement of dis/agreement on the poster.

After seeing all of the posters and leaving a statement, students choose (or are assigned) a poster to review and analyze the trend in thinking. Then students will have a whole-class debriefing discussion.

The carousel discussion also has a Frankenstein lesson plan for the teacher, Common Core objectives, preparation steps, a classroom agenda, and assessment strategies.

There is also a PowerPoint with student-friendly objectives, student directions, and activity time limits.

If you’re interested, English Bulldog also includes the carousel discussion in a pre-and post-reading activity bundle (which you can look at here ). All of the activities in the bundle look engaging and interesting.

The post-reading activities in the bundle include

• a fishbowl debate
• a themes textual analysis activity
• QR code mini flipbook with links to chapters of the novel in audio and textual format, as well as summary, character, allusion, theme, and literary technique tasks
• and a Frankenstein review game

2. Agree or disagree

Like English Bulldog’s activity, this activity has ten statements on issues raised in Shelley’s Frankenstein that students must agree or disagree with.

However, instead of leaving a statement on posters, students are asked to move to the ‘agree’ or ‘disagree’ side of the room.

After choosing sides, students must defend their opinion in-class discussion.

3. Pre-reading one-pager

Another pre-reading activity that you could do is this one by Thoreauly Lit. The activity is a pre-reading one-pager where students have to draw what they think Frankenstein the monster looks like.

Students also have to preview the novel and guess what the setting will be like. This activity would be great for artistic groups, or as a break from reading- and writing-heavy lessons.

4. Pre-reading creative writing challenge

This activity by Lattes and Lit is an AP Literature resource for Frankenstein .

Students use a writing prompt of Mary Shelley’s original nightmare to do their own creative writing.

Students get to have fun and demonstrate what they know of Gothic literature while also learning about Frankenstein ‘s origin story.

5. Which Fra nkenstein character are you quiz

Another fun pre-reading activity for Frankenstein is this one by Thoreauly Lit. In the activity, students answer questions to figure out which Frankenstein character they would be.

6. Gothic literature conventions using “Playthings” episode of Supernatural

If you’d like to approach the novel from a genre standpoint, this activity by Teach Them to Think might suit you. In the activity, students watch the “Playthings” episode of Supernatural and identify the conventions of Gothic literature.

This would be a great mini-lesson or homework activity too. However, the creator does note that the tv episode may not be appropriate for all ages and schools, so you may wish to preview the show before showing it if your school is more conservative.

While-reading lesson plans for  Frankenstein

So, you’ve done some pre-reading activities and your students have started reading. Now you probably want some activities for students to do while they are reading to ensure comprehension and engagement.

Today we have several Frankenstein activities, including worksheets to accompany the Crash Course Literature episodes about Mary Shelley’s classic novel, reading comprehension excerpts, a flipbook, reading check quizzes, a digital book bundle and annotation organizer, a graphic novel organizer, and a comprehension and analysis bundle.

1. Crash Course Literature Frankenstein worksheet

First off the ranks is my own worksheets for the free Crash Course Literature YouTube videos about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein . (You can find the first video here and the second one here ).

The videos (and worksheets) cover

• the historical context of the novel
• biographical details about Mary Shelley
• major plot points of the novel
• big questions the novel asks readers to think about
• genre conventions of the text
• themes such as whether seeking knowledge is dangerous and corrupts the seeker
• and a feminist interpretation of the text

I love to use Crash Course videos in class because they’re funny, engaging, and blend animation with John Green as the presenter.

They also analyze texts with a critical lens, but in a way that is easily understandable for most ability levels.

The videos sometimes have plot spoilers. So be sure to preview the video and show it after major plot reveals if you are wanting students to remain surprised while reading.

2. Multiple choice reading comprehension excerpts

A great lesson plan for Frankenstein is this one by Test Prep.

The Frankenstein activity has four reading passages from the novel, with twenty reading comprehension multiple-choice questions.

The questions are structured and formated like pre-2016 SAT questions, so it’s a great tool if you are trying to familiarize your students with SAT-type tests.

The questions require students to use problem-solving and evidence-based reasoning skills, as well as context clues.

This could also be a series of homework exercises to get your students to practice close-reading and analysis skills.

3. Frankenstein novel study flipbook

The third Frankenstein lesson plan in the while-reading section of this post is this novel study flipbook by Danielle Knight.

The flipbook is easy to assemble and covers information such as

• Mary Shelley’s biography and background
• elements of Gothic literature
• a study guide and answer key of over 100 questions
• themes, symbols, and an answer key
• anti-thesis and contrasts of ideas, characters, themes, settings, and moods
• characters and their background
• frame story explanation
• the Enlightenment period in Europe
• student practice skills such as reading, writing, summarization, recalling details, and making inferences

The flipbook is aligned to ELA Common Core State Standards for years 9-12 in the reading, writing, speaking, and listening strands.

You can choose to pick print in color or grayscale and it can be printed on white or colored paper.

4. Reading check quizzes

If you are looking for a more no-frills approach to checking if students have done the required reading, these reading check quizzes by Kate Duddy may work for you.

There are nine different quizzes about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the quizzes aim to assess student reading comprehension and understanding of the text.

The quizzes include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blanks, and short-answer-style questions. Students must recall information about the story and vocabulary words. They must also practice analysis and inference skills.

The quizzes contain four to five questions each and cover two chapters of the novel.

5. Frankenstein digital book bundle and annotation organizer

If your school has a limited budget for new books, but you’d still like to teach Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, then this digital book bundle and annotation organizer might be exactly what you need.

The bundle includes a digital copy of the entire novel with space for student and teacher annotation. There are two options for formatting: you can download a pdf of the entire novel, or you can download individual chapters in pdf.

There are also comparative texts to study alongside Frankenstein , including the short story “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and the poem “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley,

Two bonuses are included: an annotation organizer designed to help you teach your students how to annotate texts and a character analysis organizer.

The annotation organizer helps students learn to be independent annotators and promotes the skills of close and active reading. And the character analysis organizer scaffolds character analysis by helping students identify

• character motivation
• conflict in the story’s plot
• and the impact of symbolism on a character
• supporting evidence from the text that they can collect, format, and cite as evidence for their ideas about the elements of characterization, conflict, and symbolism

The activities support several Common Core State Standards and are able to be used in digital classrooms. They can be edited in the PDF document without changing the original text and they can be uploaded to sites such as Google Classroom, Edmodo, and Blackboard.

6. Frankenstein graphic novel activity bundle

If you’re teaching a graphic novel adaptation of Frankenstein , this activity bundle may be a great way for you to introduce graphic novels to your students, as well as study Frankenstein .

The bundle includes

• a paper dance party warm-up   activity
• vocabulary scan worksheet
• a PowerPoint   on how to read a graphic novel
• 2 graphic organizers for PowerPoint
• a reading comprehension activity worksheet
• the purpose of reading critical thinking questions
• a roll-the-dice activity game
• 6-panel storyboard drawing project
• a narrative story step by step support
• characterization-for the main character
• a close reading   assignment-including the text, questions, key
• other optional activities
• teacher notes / keys
• close reading text/and questions
• one-pager theme project
• chapter by chapter questions with key

7. Comprehension and analysis bundle

The final while-reading Frankenstein lesson plans and activities is this bundle by LitCharts.

The bundle aims to develop students’ active and close-reading skills using Common Core aligned organizers, worksheets, projects, and review materials.

All of the activities in this bundle are provided as PDF and as editable Word Docs so that you can edit them to suit your class or convert them to Google Docs for distance learning.

Included in the bundle is

• character organizers for every major character in Frankenstein for students to use to gather evidence about characters and use the evidence to describe characters’ traits and significance
• symbol analysis organizers for important symbols to help students identify when symbols appear and what they mean in the context of the entire text
• theme analysis organizers to help students identify evidence from Frankenstein that relates to themes and write evidence-based paragraphs about the themes
• close reading organizers that provide a structured summary of the novel and help students track and analyze themes against the summary – it can also be used for students to comment on/annotate about language and structure, character development, or make other reader responses
• quote analysis organizers to help students situate important quotes in context and how the quotes relate to the themes of the text
• “theme wheel” themes visualization poster and project – you can print the theme wheels as posters to hang in your classroom or you can use blank versions for individual or class projects

After-reading lesson plans for  Frankenstein

Now give yourself a pat on the back if you and your students have made it this far. They’ve read the book! Wooh!

Next, you may want some revision activities for Frankenstein , as well as activities you can use to assess their learning. That’s what this section of the post is all about.

1. Digital Frankenstein review escape room

If you have access to devices such as phones, tablets, or laptops, as well as access to Google apps, this might be the escape room review for you.

Use this Frankenstein escape room after your students have read the novel to get them to review important material through puzzles, games, and other activities.

Included are:

• plot bingo: where students review information about the plot and will be asked to identify whether 25 different facts are true or false. Once they have 5 true facts they have BINGO and get the code to continue.
• literary analysis quiz: students complete a self-checking quiz and respond to 8 items, obtaining a secret code after completion. Literary terms/concepts used in the quiz include the following: simile, symbol, allusion, motif, metaphor, and narrator.
• character matching puzzle: students analyze 9 different character descriptions to 6 different characters from the novel. Once they match them correctly, students get a code to continue.
• reading comprehension puzzle: students respond to four reading comprehension questions based on an article about the author. They answer using a multiple-choice answer grid to get the secret code to continue.
• theme puzzle: students assemble a jigsaw puzzle containing a theme from Frankenstein . They must unscramble special characters in order to find the code.
• quotation identification puzzle: students must identify the speaker of 10 quotations from the novel to discover the final clue.

The game includes self-checking Google Forms so students can pace themselves. Once they have escaped, students get a congratulations message to let you know they’ve finished.

The Frankenstein review resource also includes a teacher guide with visuals and hints so you can assist struggling students.

On average, a high school class of students will take about forty minutes to complete the game.

2. Frankenstein review bingo

Another way to review Frankenstein before an assessment is this review bingo activity by Danielle Knight.

This Frankenstein lesson plan requires you to print out the bingo card sheets (one for each child and a call sheet for the teacher). Then you cut out the bingo cards.

If you want to re-use the cards, simply laminate them and ask students to use dry-erase pens or use markers. You also have a blank card to make your own card.

Once you’ve done that, you play bingo. You call out the words or explanations, and your students mark an ‘x’ on their bingo card if they have it.

3. Debate culminating activity lesson plans for Frankenstein

If you want to avoid an essay or test, take a look here at a debate culminating activity by Miss B’s Bodega.

Bonus, instead of reading a thousand Frankenstein essays, you get to listen to students debate (and do most of your marking in class!).

For the debate, students research, write opening and argumentative speeches, and then formally debate to prove their position on an issue from the test.

The Frankenstein activity includes six topics tied to themes and issues from the text. Students can choose, or you can assign the topics.

Included in the activity are:

• Detailed teacher instructions
• Quick pre-reading/pre-activity survey
• Assignment outline
• Rubric aligned to Common Core standards
• Opening speech writing template
• Evidence collection template for research and preparation
• Handout on effective public speaking
• Student judge feedback form
• Teacher feedback form

The resources are Google Docs, so you can distribute them digitally or print them out. And you can easily adjust them to suit your specific classes.

4. Frankenstein folio final project

Available here is another no-test, no-essay final project. In this Frankenstein activity, students create a folio assessment, a ‘Frankenfolio’.

As part of the project, students create four components of the folio:

• a creative writing piece
• a writing piece that makes a real-world connection
• and a list related to the novel (e.g. gothic elements, questions you’d ask a character, etc.)

There are also two versions of a grading rubric included, one with point values and one with blanks.

5. Frankenstein final test

If you’re teaching Frankenstein in high school and you have a ton of grading to do, you might appreciate a test because they’re usually faster and easier to mark than essays or projects.

If that’s the case, this test here by Amanda Kershaw might be what you are after.

The test covers the whole novel and students must answer in different ways: matching up characters, fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice, short answers, and an essay.

The test also includes a study guide so students know what they need to revise.

6. Frankenstein soundtrack project and create a mate essay

This Frankenstein product has two creative ways to assess student learning.

The first project is a soundtrack project where students put together a playlist to be used as a soundtrack to the book. The songs they pick must relate to themes and scenes in the novel.

The project includes an assignment handout as well as a teacher grading rubric.

The second task is a create-a-mate essay. In it, students will write a 5-paragraph persuasive essay answering the following question: “If you were Victor, would you create a mate for the creature?”

It also includes an assignment handout, essay rubric, t-chart essay organizer, and a peer editing worksheet.

7. Self grading Google quizzes for Frankenstein

If you and your students are mostly digital now, the self-grading Google Quizzes by Teacher’s Pet Publications Novel Study Units might serve you well.

Available here , there are six quizzes that cover each section of the book.

• #1 covers the introduction and preface
• #2 covers chapters one through five
• #3 covers chapters six through nine
• #4 covers chapters ten through fifteen
• #5 covers chapters sixteen through twenty
• #6 covers chapters twenty-one through twenty-four.

The questions are multiple-choice, and the Google Form is editable so you can adjust it to suit your specific class.

Whole-unit bundles of lesson plans for  Frankenstein

So far you’ve seen lots of Frankenstein lesson plans and activities, but you haven’t seen whole-unit bundles.

And while individual teaching activities for Frankenstein are great, sometimes you need more because you just don’t have the time to add bits and pieces to an established curriculum.

You might’ve had last-minute class changes, or your kid got sick, or you want a life outside of your classroom. We hear you, so below we have five whole-unit Frankenstein lesson plans.

1. Lit and More whole unit of lesson plans: Frankenstein

This full unit bundle by Lit and More is designed for an advanced placement course. The Frankenstein unit runs for three weeks.

The Frankenstein lesson plans and activities are based on the 1831 edition of the novel.

The bundle includes:

• introductory and background information on the text, including a pre-test that compares the real Frankenstein text to pop culture references
• 133 pages of guided slideshow notes helping students through the text with quotes, analysis, and questions
• a student note packet with pre-reading homework, space for quote analysis, and notes on class discussion
• an answer key to all in-class discussion questions
• two quizzes (chapters one through ten and chapters eleven through twenty), including answer keys
• one Socratic seminar including questions, notes on the procedure, and a grading rubric
• three on-demand writing prompts with scoring rubrics
• one unit test and answer key
• unit objectives, guidelines, and suggested unit plan
• four analytical writing reflection prompts with a suggested rubric, to be handed out during the course of student reading
• one creative response project
• one text-based multiple-choice quiz modeled after the AP exam – it can be used during the middle of reading or as a summative assessment at the end of reading
• virtual teaching tools including a Frankenstein hyperdoc, two Frankenstein quizzes, and a test that can be assigned through Google Classroom or other LMSs

2. Simply Novel Frankenstein whole unit bundle

This Frankenstein whole unit bundle by Simply Novel is aligned with the Common Core State Standards. It can be used in teacher-directed classrooms, or students can self-direct their own learning.

Included in the bundle are:

• pre-reading activities and ideas list
• pre-reading activity exploring biological scientific research
• list of writing prompts/journal topics for each chapter
• author biography and questions
• historical context activities on both Romanticism and the Gothic/science fiction novel and mythology
• a glossary of allusions, terminology, and expressions from the novel
• vocabulary list with and without the definitions
• note-taking and summarizing activities for each chapter or section
• comprehension check/study guide questions for each chapter
• activities that address mood and tone, character interactions, literary archetypes, imagery, foreshadowing, symbolism, philosophical and political approaches to the novel, point of view, characterization, historical themes and issues, and theme
• activities that address vocabulary in context, verb tense, precise word order, complements, word origins and etymology, clauses, base words/root words/affixes, sentence structure, analogies, and spelling, punctuation and capitalization
• reading quizzes for every set of chapters
• two final exam choices, one is completely multiple choice
• teacher guide including notes for teaching the novel
• summary of the novel
• post-reading activities and alternative assessment
• essay and writing ideas/prompts
• project and essay grading rubrics
• complete answer key

Most reviews of this bundle suggest that it is very detailed, and most teachers loved that grammar instruction was included throughout the unit.

3. BritLitWit Frankenstein full unit bundle

This full unit bundle by BritLitWit is full of lesson plans for Frankenstein (1831 edition). Included in the bundle are

• a pre-reading anticipation activity
• background information/images related to Mary Shelley’s biography, the literary and historical influences on Frankenstein , British Romanticism, Gothic literature, misconceptions about the novel, and a diagram explaining the novel’s frame tale
• reading questions with an answer key
• seven multiple-choice quizzes divided into sections. An answer key is included.
• love and Frankenstein worksheet that helps students understand Shelley’s idea that we all need love to thrive.
• bioethics worksheet to explain the gray area that exists in many modern bioethical debates.
• nature vs nurture worksheet that explains the psychological ideas of ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’
• a book club for the creature worksheet asks students to explain the details of what the creature learned from the three books that made an impact on how he perceives himself and the world.
• ‘what makes us human?’ culminating assignment requires students to do a freewrite about what they believe defines a human. They must locate three online sources that engage with that question and record their findings. Then students identify the five essential characteristics of being human and make a final decision about whether the creature can be considered human. A rubric is included.
• final project option one is a groupwork project where students identify what they believe are the ideas in the novel that are still relevant and deliver a slide-show presentation. A grading rubric is included.
• final project option two is the Frankenfolio project (previously mentioned).
• a teacher pacing guide
• jigsaw sheets to help students follow the big ideas of each chapter, options include a headlines sheet, a Frankenstein/Creature/Walton Venn diagram, Gothic details, and Romantic details.

4. SJ Brull Frankenstein full unit bundle

This five-week unit of lesson plans for Frankenstein contains everything you need to teach Mary Shelley’s classic novel.

• an anticipation and reflection guide – a two-page handout with quotes that relate to the text’s themes. Students need to respond whether they agree or disagree with the statement and then explain their opinion. There are teacher notes for how to turn this into a class discussion.
• quote analysis and reading quizzes – the reading quizzes help you gauge student comprehension and the quote analysis helps students learn to read for deeper understanding of themes and life lessons
• theme tracking notes – students research themes and track them while reading. They use this later to create an author’s theme statement.
• film and text essay – an elements of film handout, essay graphic organizer, grading rubric, and notes for the teacher that you can use while showing an adaptation of Frankenstein .
• character analysis packet with three activities – firstly, a guided space for students to illustrate, describe, record, and analyze evidence about character development in the novel. Secondly, a character-theme graffiti table to helps students understand how minor characters support theme development. Lastly, a character review project that is a creative project that encourages abstract thinking and evidence-based writing
• post-reading discussion in Socratic method: a semi-structured approach to class discussions with a 20-slide PowerPoint that explains the Socratic method. Students also get a preparation worksheet and reflection. You also get instructions for how to hold a class discussion.
• author study – students create a Facebook profile, Facebook newsfeed, Facebook exit tickets and Twitter exit tickets about Mary Shelley. There is also extra information for how you can use these in different ways through the unit including as reading quizzes and assessments.
• theme and quote poster – two different styles of printable posters that highlight key themes from the novel

5. TeachNovels Frankenstein full unit bundle

The final whole-unit bundle that we have today is this one by TeachNovels. This full-unit bundle is based on the 1818 edition of Frankenstein , so if your school has that edition, this may better suit your needs.

Included in the bundle are

• pre-reading activities that introduce the unit, the goals of the unit, and the novel
• multiple-choice reading quizzes for each reading
• discussion questions and a variety of standards-based lessons based on the readings
• enriching challenges such as inquiries, debates, creative writing, and performances
• assess student learning with performance tasks or a final exam
• key topics covered include allusion, characterization, imagery, structure (frame tales), structural effects such as suspense, point of view, symbolism, theme development, Romanticism, and science fiction

The seventeen lesson plans for Frankenstein include three pre-reading lessons, nine during-reading lessons, and five after-reading lessons. Each lesson includes connected clips, readings, and graphic organizers.

The bundle also includes exam bank questions you can use to create your own exam suited to your individual classes. Exam questions are in both PDF and MS Word format, so you can edit them to suit as well. In it there are

• 40 comprehension questions with answer key
• 42 language arts questions with answer key
• 22 short-answer promts
• 12 extended-answer prompts

Want more English Language Arts activities?

Check out these blog posts for more ELA activities, lesson plans, and teaching resources:

• Teaching Lord of the Flies : 12 awesome activities & wonderful worksheets
• Fun, engaging, and easy Shakespearean insults lesson you have to try
• 13 easy, engaging lessons for Romeo and Juliet
• 12 excellent teaching resources for Macbeth – make Macbeth easy
• 19 activities for teaching The Odyssey : a comprehensive list
• Teaching Oedipus Rex : 14 fun and engaging activities
• Teaching Pride and Prejudice : 10 easy resources
• 20 exciting and engaging lessons for To Kill a Mockingbird
• 9 quick and easy study skills lesson plans for high school
• 20 easy and exciting lesson plans for Things Fall Apart