Inside Stories I

Short Stories Unit – Grade 9

The plot is the sequence of events in a story. It has a beginning middle and end Short stories usually only have one plot so they can be read in

one sitting. Plot has five essential elements:

1. Introduction/Exposition: The beginning of the story where characters and setting are revealed Gives background information

2. Rising Action: The conflict of the story is revealed. The plot begins to get complicated or thicken. The longest portion of the plot.

Notes on: PLOT

3. Climax The highest point of interest in the story. The turning point in the action. The reader wonders what will happen next. Will the

conflict be resolved?

4. Falling Action The events or complications begin to be resolved. The reader knows whether or not the conflict has been

resolved.

5. Resolution/Denouement: The final outcome of the story. The tying of loose ends.

Conflict is essential to plot. Without a conflict, there can be no

plot. Conflict is a struggle between two or more characters or forces. It usually involves the protagonist. There are four types of conflict:

Character Vs. Character (external conflict) The protagonist struggles with another person, animal or force of nature.

Character Vs. Circumstances (external/internal conflict) The protagonist struggles with fate, or the circumstances facing him/her.

Character Vs. Society (external/internal conflict) The protagonist struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other

people. Character Vs. Himself/Herself (internal conflict)

The protagonist struggles within himself/herself with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc…

Notes on: CONFLICT

1. Vocabulary:ebb mullet abruptly phosphorescencecircumferencequiver gauntly loomedsimultaneously equilibrium imminentconvulsively2. Read “The Sea Devil” on page 32-41.

3. Answer questions 1-5 (pg 41) in full sentences.

The Sea Devilby Arthur Gordon

The location where a story takes place. Sometimes the setting is very important to a

story, whereas other times it is not. There are many aspects of setting such as:

Place: Geographical location Time: Historical time period, time of the day, or

year. Weather Conditions: Is it sunny? Rainy? Mood: What is the feeling created by the story?

How do you feel?

Notes on: SETTING

The author’s underlying meaning or main idea

that is trying to be conveyed. The theme may be the author’s thoughts

about a topic or a view of human nature. The theme is not usually directly stated. The

reader must infer from the events of the story what the theme is.

Some simple themes: love is blind, believe in yourself, people are afraid of change.

Notes on: THEME

1. Vocabulary:Psychologist veldtadmirationExquisite instinctivelyefficientlySedative remarkable lingeringInsufferable paranoia engrossed

2. Read “The Veldt” on pages 100-115.

THE VELDTby Ray Bradbury

Answer the following questions in full sentences:

1. Who do the characters of Peter and Wendy remind you of?2. Will artificial environments such as the nursery be possible

in the future? 3. Reread the story locating three details that suggest a

futuristic setting. How does the setting influence the characters’ lives?

4. Describe the goals and motivation of Peter and Wendy. What will they likely do with David? Why?

5. What foreshadowing is there of George and Lydia’s fate? Give examples of the ways in which they have treated their children badly.

6. In a paragraph, write about Bradbury’s view of technology and the nature of children.

The Veldt

Design your own futuristic room. You may include

anything you can imagine in your room. No computer imaging, but legend may be typed.

Criteria: Smallest paper size has to be 8 ½ X 14; if you want to

do something in a 3D version you are allowed Futuristic design Legend (including at least 10 entries with descriptions) Creative/orginal Neatness/colour

The Veldt: Room Design

All stories have at least one character.

1. Protagonist: The main character in the story. Does not have to be the ‘good guy.’

2. Antagonist: A character who causes problems for the protagonist Does not have to be the ‘bad guy.’

3. Static Character: A character who does not change or grow throughout the story. Minor characters are often static.

Notes on: CHARACTER

4. Dynamic Character: A character who changes, learns something, or grows

in some way throughout the course of the story. The protagonist is often a dynamic character.

5. Flat Character: A one dimensional character who usually has only

one trait. An example of this is a stereotyped character

6. Round Character: A character with many traits. The protagonist is often a round character.

1.Vocabulary monotony humiliated systematicallypleasantly possessed

2. Read pg. 71-79

3. Answer questions #1-5 on pg. 79 in full sentences.

THE PARSLEY GARDEN

by William Sorayan

The point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. The person telling the story is the narrator. There are three main points of view:

1. First Person: We the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of only one character. We see the story through this person’s eyes. The narrator uses the pronouns I, me, and we.

2. Omniscient (Third Person): The god-like perspective We see thoughts, feelings, and motivations of many characters. The narrator uses the pronouns he, she, they, etc…

3. Limited Omniscient (Third Person): We see thoughts, feelings, and motivations of selected characters that the

author or the narrator chooses to show us. The narrator uses the pronouns he, she, they, etc…

Notes on: POINT OF VIEW

1. VocabularyMalice condone flimsiestmonastic antagonismcommencingInsurmountable facilitate

2. Read pg. 211-213.

3. Answer questions #1,2,3 & 6 on page 214 in full sentences.

BARNEYby Will Stanton

After reading the short story “Barney” by Will

Stanton, create a comic detailing the story. Ensure you cover the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement. You will need to decide how many squares you will need for each part of the story.

When designing your comic, keep in mind the point of view, and the camera angle. How will you want to depict each event? How can you make it most effective? What will you emphasize? Through whose eyes will we see each frame? What are the most important events?

BARNEY COMIC