The Rematch — Reading & Literary Analysis (Grades 8–10)

Engage students immediately with BJ Novak’s witty “The Rematch”—a satirical spin on a classic fable that launches deep literary analysis in just 1–2 class periods.

BJ Novak’s The Rematch is the perfect short, quirky, and high-interest text to kick off a unit or spark engagement in literary analysis. As the first story in his collection One More Thing, it gives a satirical twist on the classic “Tortoise and the Hare” fable—complete with colorful diction, playful punctuation, and yes, even swear words.

That choice of language opens the door to rich classroom discussions: how diction shapes tone, how writers use sarcasm to comment on motivation and pride, and what “appropriate” language means in an academic setting.

Version 1: Reading & Literary Analysis

Included Materials:

Engaging reading questions to guide comprehension and discussion.
Group work that prompts students to:
- Characterize the tortoise and the hare.
- Analyze Novak’s diction and word choice.
- Explore the story’s themes and message.

Why This Lesson Works:

✅ Relatable — students already know the fable, so they can dive right into analysis
✅ Engaging — Novak’s humor, tone, and word choice keep reluctant readers invested
✅ Rigorous — students practice evidence gathering, literary analysis, and thematic thinking
✅ Accessible — short text, clear questions, and structured prompts mean all students can contribute

Perfect as a stand-alone close reading activity or as the launch point for a writing/analysis unit.

Length: 1–2 class periods (depending on pacing)

Version 2: Analytical Writing Focus

Included Materials:

Everything in Version 1 plus structured support for teaching analytical paragraph writing.
Analytical Writing Instruction Materials:
- Quotation Integration Notes & Practice (three methods of embedding quotations)
- Reasoning Practice (moving from claim and evidence to strong analysis)
- CER / Quotation Sandwich Graphic Organizers (Fill-in-the-blank notes & guided exercises).

Students will not only enjoy Novak’s satirical storytelling but also practice essential ELA skills: close reading, character analysis, theme development, and evidence-based writing.

Perfect for middle and high school ELA teachers who want to differentiate instruction—whether focusing on reading comprehension or scaffolding analytical writing.

Format: PDF + linked slide decks for teaching CER/quotation integration.
Length: 2–3 class periods, depending on version and depth.

No-prep, ready-to-teach, and classroom tested.

What's Not Included?

Please note that this unit includes scaffolded reading questions AND instructional writing materials and mentor texts for "The Rematch" in the collection, One More Thing by BJ Novak, but I do not own the rights to distribute the stories themselves.

You will need a copy of the story.

I recommend purchasing a copy of the text to use for yourself, previewing the text here, or borrowing from the library.