As ELA teachers, we’re always looking for fresh ways to help students dive deeper into literature, especially with ways that go beyond the standard five-paragraph essay or chapter quiz. That’s exactly why I created my Theme Park Literary Analysis Project. This is a creative, engaging, and rigorous assessment that invites students to interact with literature in a totally new way.
This project has quickly become one of my favorite go-to final assessments for novels, plays, and even short stories. Whenever I finish a novel, I usually assign two major summative assessments: a standard novel test and a fun, collaborative project. Together, these two forms of assessment help me see what my students know. And this literary analysis amusement park project fits the bill for an engaging, collaborative, summative project!
What Is the Theme Park Literary Analysis Project?
In this project-based assignment, students work in small collaborative groups to design an amusement park based entirely on a piece of literature. Yes, a theme park! They will be having so much fun as the brainstorm and plan for this project that they won’t even realize they are learning and showing their understanding!
Each group creates an entire literary theme park from the ground up: they name the park, create a park logo, design themed lands based on the story’s settings and conflicts, create rides and attractions inspired by major plot points, develop character meet-and-greet experiences, and even design food and souvenir items that represent key symbols or motifs in the text.
Students then create a park map, which is something they will absolutely love, and “pitch” their park to a group of potential investors (you, the teacher and their fellow classmates!) in a short, persuasive digital presentation.
It’s a perfect blend of literary analysis, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Your students will actually be excited to do it.
Why This Novel Project Works
Here’s the magic: students engage deeply with theme, symbolism, characterization, conflict, and setting, which are all of the essential literary elements we want them to analyze. However, they’re doing it in a way that feels more like design thinking than test prep.
And because the project includes both overview and in-depth planning pages (and a completely editable student assignment page), you can easily differentiate how you. You can assign only the core components, or let students go all in and complete every detailed page. The resource is flexible and adaptable for grades 7–10, but also comprehensive enough to use in honors, AP Lit, and IB classes as a creative companion to deeper analysis.
Even better? This project gets students off screens. It encourages real collaboration and face-to-face interaction. That’s right! Students can complete all of the initial planning and brainstorming without any technology so you know the students are the ones doing the work!
Built-In Literary Analysis (That Doesn’t Feel Like Work)
One of the most powerful parts of this project is that students are constantly referencing the text. Every single element from the roller coasters to the souvenir stands must be based in textual evidence and include clear connections to the story. This helps you see just how much your students understand the text!
For example:
- A spooky, dark ride might symbolize the protagonist’s internal conflict.
- A food stand might serve items that reflect a key motif from the story.
- Themed lands might represent major settings or contrasting worldviews in the book.
Students have to justify their creative decisions with analysis, pulling quotes, paraphrasing events, and explaining the deeper meaning. It’s literary interpretation in disguise. It’s not just a fun, cutesy project. It is based in the standards and rooted in rigor!
Use It for Lit Circles, Too!
This project is also an excellent choice for literature circles. After students finish their group novels, have them complete this project together to synthesize their understanding. You’ll see thoughtful conversation, organic collaboration, and some incredible creativity.
What’s Included
The Theme Park Literary Analysis Project includes:
- A teacher guide and student assignment sheet
- Pages for brainstorming and planning park features
- Detailed templates for themed lands, rides, characters, and more
- A rubric for grading
- A digital version for Google Docs
- Optional extension ideas (think brochures, dioramas, gallery walks!)
Let Your Students Take the Lead
One of the things I love most about this project is that it puts students in charge of their learning while also reinforcing college and career readiness skills. They’re not just answering questions or responding to prompts; they’re building something meaningful from the ground up. Plus, they’ll have to put together a proposal and a pitch and present their theme parks to the class! What a fun day of group presentations!
So if you’re looking for a fresh, fun, and standards-aligned way to assess literary understanding, I highly recommend giving this project a try. You’ll be amazed at what your students create. Also, if you are looking for more creative projects, check out this literary analysis square project!