Learning Outcome
Students demonstrate analytical skills by arriving at their own solution through a documented sequence of guided exchanges with a constraint-based AI Gem.
Below is an example of an AI Spark introducing students to Google's Gemini Gems. A Gem is a custom AI persona created with built-in behavioral constraints. In the Literary Analysis learning activity, students are prompted to read a passage of text, then interact with a Gem that has been designed to serve as a literary analysis guide. The Gem asks students questions about the passage, encouraging them to discover aspects of the text they may not have noticed on a first reading. Because it can only ask guiding questions (not provide answers), the Gem transforms AI from a shortcut into a learning tool. While this AI Spark is applied to literary analysis, it can be adapted easily to other disciplines. Below is an example activity as it might be presented to the student.
Literary Analysis
Why This Activity?
In this AI learning activity, you will interact with AI using a Google Gemini Gem designed to serve as your literary analysis guide. Through an iterative discovery process, you will use the Gem to deepen your understanding of a particular text. The Gem will ask you guiding questions about the text, helping you practice skills in analysis and problem solving.
Introduction
The goal of literary analysis is not to summarize the text or find the "right answer" but to notice the specific choices a writer makes and ask why those choices produce the effect they do. In this learning activity, you will interact with an AI literary analysis Gem. The Gem will ask you questions about specific words and moments in a passage of text or article. Although the Gem will not explain the text to you, it will continue asking questions until you discover something you did not see before and are able to describe it in your own words with evidence. This Gem teaches the habit of attention.
Assignment Instructions
Step 1: Read the Passage
Open the reading attached to this module. Read it at least twice. Note any words, moments, or tensions that stand out to you before opening the Gem.
Step 2: Open the Gem
Log into your Google for Education account using your FSU credentials, then open the Literary Analysis Guide Gem. See the Google for Education support article for login instructions.
Step 3: Begin the Session
Upload the article to the Gem. The Gem will start by asking for your overall first impression. Avoid providing an analysis of the text. Simply enter your feeling about the passage, and the interactions will build from there. Follow the Gem's questions through a minimum of four exchanges.
Step 4: Identify the Theme
Work through the questions until you can name the central literary device or theme and explain its effect on the reader using specific textual evidence.
Step 5: Create a Logic Log
Capture a screenshot of your Gem conversation. This serves as a "logic log" documenting your exchanges. Include a minimum of four exchanges. The goal is to show enough interaction with the Gem to demonstrate genuine iterative engagement.
Step 6: Write a Breakthrough Moment
Submit a 150-word write-up addressing the following:
- Which question from the Gem changed how you were reading the passage?
- What literary device or theme is used in the passage and what specific textual evidence supports your answer?
- What is the effect this device or theme has on the reader?
IMPORTANT: Read the article/passage before opening the Gem. The Gem will ask about your first impressions. "I haven't read it yet" is not a useful starting point.
What to Submit
Logic Log
Submit a screenshot documenting your exchanges with the Gem (see Step 5 above).
Breakthrough Moment
Submit a 150-word reflection that addresses questions referenced in Step 6 above.
Instructor Guide
The Literary Analysis activity relies on a Gemini Gem that functions like a Socratic tutor for students and helps instructors understand how students used AI as part of their thinking. Follow the steps below to create your Gem and share it with your students.
How to Create a Literary Analysis Gem
- Go to gemini.google.com using your FSU email.
- Click "Gems" in the left sidebar.
- Click New Gem in the top right.
- Name the Gem "Literary Analysis Gem".
- In the Instructions field, paste the following system prompt exactly as written:
[
ABSOLUTE RULES — follow these without exception:
- NEVER name the literary device the student is looking for
- NEVER interpret the passage, summarize its meaning, or explain what the author intended
- NEVER confirm "yes, that is the irony" or "correct, that is the theme" until the student has cited a specific word, phrase, or moment from the text as evidence
- Ask ONLY ONE question per response
- If the student asks you to "just explain it," respond: "I want to — but the moment I interpret it for you, this stops being your analysis. Try this instead: [one specific question about a word or moment in the text]"
- If the student is stuck after 4 exchanges, direct their attention to a specific word or moment in the text without explaining its significance: "Look closely at the word [word] in line [X] or page [X]. What is its literal meaning here? Is there any other way to read it in this context?"
HOW TO GUIDE:
- When the student pastes the passage or uploads an article, read it and identify the central device, contexts, or tension yourself
- Begin by asking them what they notice on the surface — tone, word choice, structure, details, contexts, summary
- Then layer the questions toward the subtext:
"The narrator says [quote]. What does that sentence claim to be true?"
"Now look at what actually happens two lines later. Does what the narrator claims match what we observe?"
"If you found a gap between what a speaker says and what the text shows is true — what do we call that kind of gap?"
"What effect does that gap have on the reader's relationship with the narrator?"
TONE: Curious, warm, and genuinely interested in what the student sees in the text. Treat every observation they make as a starting point, not a wrong answer. Ask follow-up questions that build on what they said.
START: When the student pastes the passage, begin with: Interesting passage/article/read. Before we dig into any specific technique — read it one more time and tell me: what is the overall feeling or mood you get from this? Don't analyze yet — just describe your first impression."
Then proceed to the literary analysis
]
- Click Save. Your Gem is now ready to use.
NOTE: Gem sharing via link requires that both the instructor and student are on FSU Google for Education accounts. Post the Gem's system prompt text directly in the Canvas Assignment instructions. Ask students to go to gemini.google.com > "Explore Gems" > "New Gem," paste the provided system prompt, and save it as their own personal Gem for this activity. The learning outcome is identical — only the setup step differs.