Meat Matters Slide Deck
Transmission Incoming
MEAT MATTERS
Point of View & Galactic Perspective
Mission: RL.8.6 Status: Active Subject: Humanity
The Big Question
How do you recognize relevant evidence in literature to determine point of view?
Mission Sector: Identification
Mission Parameter
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.6
Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (Dramatic Irony) create effects such as humor.
Initial Scan: Bell Ringer
Complete your mission entry sheet now. Sector scans will reveal the correct data in five minutes.
05:00
Sector A | Target 1
If a story is told from the perspective of "I" and "Me," which POV is being used?
A) 1st Person
B) 3rd Person
Confirmed
A) 1st Person
The narrator is a character in the story participating in the events.
Sector A | Target 2
Which point of view speaks directly to the reader using "You"?
A) 2nd Person
B) 1st Person
Confirmed
A) 2nd Person
The reader is cast as the protagonist. This is rare in fiction but common in "choose your own adventure."
Sector A | Target 3
In 3rd Person Dramatic POV, the reader only knows:
A) Inner thoughts and feelings of all characters
B) Only dialogue and observable actions
Confirmed
B) Observable Actions
Like a movie camera, we only see and hear. We must infer feelings from dialogue.
Sector A | Target 4
Why might an author choose an "outside" perspective?
A) To hide info from characters that the reader knows (Irony)
B) To make the story more personal for the narrator
Confirmed
A) Dramatic Irony
Creating contrast between knowledge and ignorance creates humor and tension.
Sector Scan Reflection
How does calling someone a "thing" or a "label" (like "Meat") influence how you treat them?
Connect this to real-world prejudice.
WORD SPLASH!
Test your interstellar vocabulary. Choose the correct definition to unlock the next sector.
10 Minutes
4 Targets
Splash #1
RECON
A) A machine used to cook biological material.
B) Abbreviation for reconnaissance: military inspection of an area.
C) A type of fuel used by space travel ships.
Confirmed
RECON = Inspection
Military term for exploring an area to gather information. Short for reconnaissance.
Next Splash
Splash #2
SENTIENT
A) Made out of high-density metallic alloys.
B) Unable to move or communicate with others.
C) Able to perceive or feel things; conscious.
Confirmed
SENTIENT = Conscious
If a being is sentient, it has the capacity to feel, think, and have an awareness of its existence.
Next Splash
Splash #3
INFINITESIMAL
A) Extremely small; so small it's hard to measure.
B) Larger than an entire solar system.
C) Lasting forever; without an end in time.
Confirmed
Infinitesimal = Tiny
So small it barely exists in the grand scale of the universe!
Next Splash
Splash #4
CARBON-BASED
A) Life forms that live on sun-based energy only.
B) Made from the element carbon (like all life on Earth).
C) Robotic life built from steel and silicon parts.
Confirmed
Carbon-based = MEAT
All organisms on Earth, from humans to bacteria, use carbon as their primary chemical building block.
Briefing Sector
The Mission Brief
The Story
Two alien explorers discover Earth. Their report? Humans are "Meat." They can't believe meat thinks.
The POV
The story is 3rd Person Dramatic. It’s almost all dialogue. We only hear what they say.
Warning: Dramatic Irony Detected
Scanning Frequency: POV
What is Point of View?
POV is the perspective or lens through which a story is narrated. It tells us who is speaking and how much they know.
1st Person
Narrator is a character (I, Me, We).
Example: "I suspect the meat is sentient."
2nd Person
Reader is the protagonist (You).
Example: "You stare at the carbon-based life."
3rd Person
Narrator is outside (He, She, They).
Example: "They decided to leave Earth."
Author Spotlight
TERRY BISSON
Terry Bisson is an American science fiction and fantasy author known for his sharp wit and unique storytelling.
"They're Made Out of Meat" is one of his most famous short stories, celebrated for its minimal structure and profound social commentary.
BIO SECTOR: VERIFIED
INTEL ACCESSED
VOICE TRANSMISSION
We are reading "They're Made out of Meat." Listen for the tone of the speakers. How do they feel about us?
Time: 15:00 (Includes TPS)
Interstellar Dialogue
Why do the aliens use the word "MEAT" instead of "humans" or "beings"?
What does this reveal about their bias?
1
Think
2
Pair
3
Share
SCANNING SECTOR: GALLERY WALK
15:00
1
Visit all 4 Stations around the room.
2
Read the text evidence on each poster.
3
Log your analysis on your Mission Report sheet.
"They're sentient meat, but they're still just meat."
Mission Mastery: Protocol Menu
CHOOSE ONE
POV Flip
Rewrite the opening from a human perspective of abduction. How do we see them?
Comic Scan
Create a 4-panel strip showing alien disgust with "meat." Include story dialogue.
Audio Log
Script an official report to High Command explaining why Earth is not worth visiting.
Debate Team
Argue why humans SHOULD be contacted despite being "meat" beings.
Science Brief
List 5 bio facts aliens found revolting. Explain their clinical perspective.
Theme Mural
Sketch a poster illustrating "Prejudice is Blind" with aliens looking down on us.
Mission Success Criteria
Text Evidence
Did you use specific quotes or details from "They're Made out of Meat" to support your work?
POV Mastery
Is your work written from the correct perspective? (Alien vs. Human)
Theme Link
Does your response connect to the big idea of prejudice and judging others?
Check your log before final submission
Quantified Scan Report
Text Evidence & Accuracy
Quotes, biological data, and specific dialogue scans.
40 PTS
Point of View Mastery
Consistent voice and character perspective alignment.
40 PTS
Theme Analysis
Insightful connection to inter-species prejudice.
20 PTS
Total Transmission Value: 100
DEPARTURE PASS
MISSION END SUMMARY
1 Evidence Check
How did the aliens' POV affect their final decision? Cite one piece of evidence from the story.
2 Perspective Shift
If told from a HUMAN'S point of view, how would the tone change? (Scary? Funny? Sad?)
05:00 Remaining
Meat Matters Answer Key
MISSION MASTER KEY
Authorized Personnel Only
Bell Ringer Answers
1. POV "I/Me": A) 1st Person
2. POV "You": A) 2nd Person
3. 3rd Person Dramatic: B) Observable Actions (Dialogue/Actions)
4. Purpose of Irony: A) Hide info for Irony
Reflection Key (Subjective):
Look for connections between dehumanizing labels ("Meat") and prejudice. Strong answers will note that labels make it easier to ignore or mistreat others by removing their unique humanity.
Word Splash Quiz Bee
- RECON: B) Military inspection/exploration.
- SENTIENT: C) Able to feel/think; conscious.
- INFINITESIMAL: A) Extremely small.
- CARBON-BASED: B) Made from carbon (biological life).
Gallery Walk Analysis
Station 1: "Meat" reduces humans to biological matter. It removes their thoughts and feelings, making their intelligence seem impossible.
Station 2: Dramatic Irony: We (the reader) know how advanced human radio communication is, but the aliens see it as primitive "hello" flapping.
Station 3: Prejudice: The aliens refuse to contact humans because they look "revolting." This mirrors human racism based on appearance.
Station 4: 3rd Person Dramatic creates a "scientific report" feel. It matches the aliens' cold, detached analysis of humanity.
Departure Pass (Exit Ticket)
1. Decision: Their POV leads them to "erase the records." Evidence: "They decide to ignore the meat."
2. Human POV: Tone would shift from satire to horror, suspense, or perhaps awe/confusion.
Choice Board Point Breakdown
40 POINTS
TEXT EVIDENCE & ACCURACY
Specific quotes and biological data from the story used correctly.
40 POINTS
POV MASTERY
Maintaining the chosen character's voice and perspective throughout.
20 POINTS
THEME ANALYSIS
Clear connection to the themes of prejudice and bias in the narrative.
Final Grade Threshold 100 TOTAL PTS
