Which teaching preparation strategy is most essential for achieving the goals of comparing "family ties" in stories from different countries?

The most essential teaching preparation strategy for comparing "family ties" in stories from different countries involves defining the key story elements and identifying similarities and differences. This approach is crucial because it allows students to focus on the central themes and relationships depicted in the stories, particularly how family dynamics are portrayed across different cultures. By understanding the key elements—such as character relationships, family roles, and cultural context—students can draw meaningful comparisons and contrasts that illuminate the theme of family ties. This deep analysis not only fosters comprehension of individual stories but also enables students to engage in broader discussions about cultural values and perspectives on family in literature.

In contrast, summarizing key ideas or identifying specific passages, while helpful for understanding the texts, does not focus as directly on the comparative analysis needed to explore the theme of family ties across different narratives. Therefore, the option highlighting the identification of key elements and comparative analysis is the most essential for achieving the desired goals in this context.