Narnia Book vs Film RACES Packet
Novel vs. Film Study Guide
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Comparative Analysis & Constructed Response Packet
R.A.C.E.S. Method
Student Name: ___________________
Date: _____________
Reading Group: ___________
R.A.C.E.S. Strategy Framework
Apply to all paragraph responses
R
Restate
Turn prompt into a topic statement.
A
Answer
Directly address all parts of prompt.
C
Cite Evidence
Quote book or cite specific film scenes.
E
Explain
Connect evidence to your main claim.
S
Summarize
Wrap up with a concluding synthesis.
Dual-Medium Evidence Tracker & Active Viewing Matrix
Record concrete quotes, visual moments, and page/timestamp notes
Comparison Focus & Key Questions
Novel Details (C.S. Lewis)
Film Adaptation Details (2005)
1. Characters & Growth Edmund's temptation & guilt; Lucy's steadfast faith; Peter's burden of leadership.
2. Setting & Atmosphere The snowy Lantern Waste; White Witch's frozen courtyard; magical thaw & arrival of Spring.
3. Major Plot & Action Escape across melting river ice; expanded Battle of Beruna; Aslan at the Stone Table.
4. Themes & Symbolism Deeper Magic; sacrifice & forgiveness; courage; coronation of the four monarchs.
"Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight..." Page 1 of 4
Part I: Character Portrayals & World-Building
Target: Full R.A.C.E.S. Paragraphs
Answer each prompt completely using the 5 RACES components. Keep your handwriting neat inside the boxes.
1
Character Transformation • Edmund Pevensie
R A C E S
How does Edmund's internal struggle and path to redemption compare between C.S. Lewis's novel and the film adaptation? Which version makes his remorse and change of heart more believable?
Evidence Cited: [ ] Novel Page/Scene [ ] Movie Timestamp/Moment Word Count Target: 60-90 words
2
Setting & Mood • The Melting of Winter
R A C E S
In the book, Lewis uses vivid sensory language to describe the magical arrival of spring in Narnia. How does the movie visually translate this shift from endless winter to spring, and which medium creates a more powerful sense of hope?
Evidence Cited: [ ] Novel Page/Scene [ ] Movie Timestamp/Moment Word Count Target: 60-90 words
"Always winter and never Christmas..." Page 2 of 4
Part II: Plot Pacing & Evaluative Judgment
Evidence + Argumentation
Use specific details from both versions to support your analytical arguments and evaluations.
3
Plot Changes • The Battle of Beruna & River Chase
R A C E S
The filmmakers added and expanded major action sequences (such as the melting ice river chase and Peter leading the full-scale battlefield combat). Why do you think the director made these changes, and did they improve or weaken Lewis's original story pacing?
Evidence Cited: [ ] Novel Page/Scene [ ] Movie Timestamp/Moment Word Count Target: 60-90 words
4
Critical Evaluation • The Sacrifice at the Stone Table
R A C E S
Which version of the Stone Table sequence (Aslan's sacrifice and triumphant return) delivered a stronger emotional impact on you as a reader/viewer? Defend your position with specific textual or cinematic evidence.
Evidence Cited: [ ] Novel Page/Scene [ ] Movie Timestamp/Moment Word Count Target: 60-90 words
"Deeper magic from before the dawn of time..." Page 3 of 4
Part III: Director's Chair & RACES Mastery Rubric
Final Reflection
Apply your creative insights as a filmmaker, then assess your writing against the RACES criteria.
5
Creative Synthesis • In the Director's Chair
R A C E S
If you were directing a brand-new film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, what is ONE scene you would film differently than the 2005 movie, and why? Explain how your choice stays faithful to Lewis's core theme.
Proposed Scene / Artistic Choice: ______________________________________ Full RACES Format
R.A.C.E.S. Paragraph Evaluation Rubric
Student Check: [ ] Final Score: ____ / 20 pts
| Component | Score | Proficiency Criteria (What to look for) |
|---|
| Restate & Answer | 4 3 2 1 | Restates the prompt cleanly into a clear claim and answers all parts of the comparison question. |
| Cite Evidence | 4 3 2 1 | Provides concrete quotes or explicit scene descriptions from both the novel and the film. |
| Explain & Analyze | 4 3 2 1 | Logically connects the cited evidence to the main claim; clearly explains the significance of differences. |
| Summarize | 4 3 2 1 | Concludes with a strong synthesis sentence that reinforces the main point without mere repetition. |
| Conventions | 4 3 2 1 | Demonstrates grade-level grammar, complete sentences, punctuation, and neat presentation. |
"Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia." Page 4 of 4
