The Hunger Games: Who Controls the Story?| Capitol Narrative Investigation |

The Hunger Games: Who Controls the Story?Capitol Narrative Investigation | Grades 6–10

Every broadcast, edit, and camera angle is a choice—but who really decides what Panem sees?
This no-prep lesson challenges students to investigate how the Capitol controls the narrative of the Hunger Games through camera choices, editing, commentary, selective attention, and storyline construction. Students move beyond simply examining what happens in the arena to consider how those events can be transformed into a carefully constructed story for the audience.

Students then become media investigators, gathering evidence from the novel and building a Capitol Narrative Investigation that reveals how controlling information can become a powerful form of control.

What’s Included
- Teacher Directions & Lesson Overview
- Mini Research Questions
- 5-Step Group Investigation
- 3 Student Analysis & Planning Pages
- Color & Black-and-White Versions
- Evidence, Media Analysis & Critical-Thinking Organizers

Students Will Explore
- How events become broadcast narratives
- Camera angles, editing & selective coverage
- What gets emphasized—and what gets left out
- Commentary and storyline construction
- Actual events vs. what audiences are shown
- How tributes lose control of their own narratives
- How media framing influences public perception
- The difference between changing facts and changing the frame
- Who controls information within Panem
- How controlling attention can create power
- Missing information and audience interpretation
- Connections to real-world media framing and editorial choices

Why Teachers Love This
- Designed for 1–2 class periods
- No complicated prep
- Goes beyond basic plot comprehension
- Combines literary analysis & media literacy
- Develops evidence-based reasoning
- Encourages students to distinguish events from their presentation
- Builds understanding of framing, selection, bias & narrative
- Makes meaningful real-world media connections
- Includes substantial student planning and analysis space
- Works individually, with partners, or in groups
- Includes printer-friendly black-and-white versions

Perfect For
- The Hunger Games novel studies
- Propaganda & media literacy
- Narrative and point of view
- Media bias & framing
- Information control
- Dystopian literature
- Critical thinking
- ELA & Social Studies connections
- Enrichment or sub plans

Part of The Hunger Games: Propaganda, Media & Manufactured Reality Series
This independently created educational resource is not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or sponsored by Suzanne Collins, her publishers, or related rights holders. Students need access to a legally obtained copy of the novel; the novel is not included.