short story unit. this usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. here the characters are...
TRANSCRIPT
Plot NotesSHORT STORY UNIT
1. Exposition This usually occurs at the
beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story.
2. Rising ActionThis part of the story begins to
develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.
3. Climax This is the turning point of the story.
Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.
4. Falling ActionAll loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.
5. ResolutionThe story comes to a reasonable ending.
Plot Line
Complete the following plot line, including at least one specific event/detail from the story that support each section.
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action• What is the
main conflict?
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
Characterization NotesSHORT STORY UNIT
Characterization Terms
ROLE Protagonist: Character who experiences conflict;
usually the main character. Antagonist: Character who creates conflict for the
protagonist. PERSONAL GROWTH Dynamic: Makes an important change in their life,
receives new understanding, makes an important decision, takes crucial action
Static: Doesn’t change much during the course of the story
PERSONALITY Flat: simple personality, not too many character
traits Round: complex personality, the reader knows a
lot about this character. Stock: Stereotypical character, one we’ve seen
many times before
How do we learn about a character?
STEAL Analysis
Speech What does the character say? How does the character speak?
Thoughts What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings?
Effect on others What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
Actions What does the character do? How does the character behave?
Looks What does the character look like? How does the character dress?
Completing a character analysis.
Answers to Anchor Questions
CD that supports observation
Speech
Thoughts
Effects on others
Actions
Looks
Directions: In your notebook, complete a STEAL analysis for Grandma in the story “My Grandmother”.
Which character am I assigned?
1. August2. Via3. Jack4. Summer5. Julian6. Miranda7. Justin
Completing a character analysis.
Answers to Anchor Questions
CD that supports observation
Speech
Thoughts
Effects on others
Actions
Looks
Directions: In your notebook, complete a STEAL analysis for your character.
Imagery NotesSHORT STORY UNIT
Imagery is the use of words or phrases that appeal to our senses. Imagery can help the reader:
• see a mental picture
• hear a sound
• feel texture or temperature
• taste a sweet, sour, or salty flavor
What is imagery?
• smell a scent
Point of View NotesSHORT STORY UNIT
Point of View: Who’s Telling the Story?
• Third PersonoOmniscientoLimited
• First Person• Second Person• Mixed
Third Person Point of View• The narrator does not participate in the
action of the story as one of the characters
• So called because of its use of third person pronouns such as “he”, “she”, and “they”
• Third Person Omniscient defines a narrator that is all-seeing and all-knowing. The reader has access to all characters’ thoughts and feelings.
• Third Person Limited defines a narrator that has knowledge and familiarity with only one character. The reader has access to only this particular character’s thoughts and feelings.
First Person Point of View
• So called because of its use of first person pronouns such as “I”, “me”, “my”, and “mine”
• Narrator participates in the action of the story
• What the narrator is recounting might not be the objective (unbiased) truth
• Usually provides more intimate (familiar) understanding of story and characters
Second Person Point of View
You use the second-person point of view to address the reader, as I just did. The second person uses the pronouns “you,” “your,” and “yours.”
Symbolism Notes
A symbol is a thing or idea that stands for something else.
Symbols are used in writing to give meaning beyond what is being described.
Symbolism
What can be a symbol? Object Picture Written word Sound Numerals (numbers)
Symbolism
Example: picture
= love
Symbolism
Example: math
Symbolism
Example: colors
RED = love, danger
WHITE= peace, purity
GREEN = nature, wealth
Symbolism
Example in writing: Harry Potter The snake is used to represent evil. It is no
coincidence that the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent.
Symbolism
Conflict NotesSHORT STORY UNIT
Personal Conflict
Think about a time you were involved in a conflict:• Who was involved in the conflict? What is their
relationship to you?• What was the conflict about? • What did you do/say during the conflict? • What did the other person do/say during the conflict? • How did you feel at the beginning of the conflict?• How did you feel at the end of the conflict? • Was the conflict resolved? How?
In a minimum one-page journal entry, answer any or all of the above questions.
What is Conflict?
• A struggle between two opposing forces
• Relationship to key character terms "protagonist" and "antagonist"
• Four major types of conflict in literature
Four Major Types of Conflict
1. Person versus Nature a. A character must overcome
some natural obstacle or condition
b. Floods, snowstorms, insects, plague, famine, or animals
2. Person versus Persona. A struggle between two
people
b. Not always openly hostile (i.e., psychological conflict, a battle of wits, etc.)
Four Major Types of Conflict
3. Person versus Societya. A character is at odds with a particular social
force or condition produced by societyb. Poverty, political revolution, a social
convention, or set of values 4. Person versus Self (internal conflict)
a. A character struggles with facets within themselves
b. May be emotional, intellectual, or moral c. Such conflicts typically leave the character
indecisive and agitated
Irony NotesSHORT STORY UNIT
Verbal Irony
An author or character says something, but means something else.
What is said is often the opposite of what is meant.
The character is aware of the irony. The reader is aware of the irony.
Dramatic Irony
The reader knows something about a character’s situation that the character(s) does not know.
The character is unaware of the irony.
The reader is aware of the irony.
Situational Irony
What actually happens is not what is expected to happen.
Situational irony often defies logic. The character does not expect the
outcome (irony). The reader does not expect the
outcome (irony).
Theme NotesSHORT STORY UNIT
Theme
Theme (n.): an idea or insight about human life and human behavior that gives meaning to the story. The main idea of a work of literature Different from a moral because it is not
necessarily a lesson that a reader needs to learn, but an opinion about life or human nature
Different from a thematic topic because it is expressed using a complete sentence
Composing a Theme Statement
To compose a well developed theme statement, consider the topic. Do this by asking several questions. What is the topic about? Why is the topic an important issue? Who does the topic involve? How does the topic affect the average person? What problems or issues arise because of this
topic? How does the topic affect the way society
functions?
Topic vs. Theme
The theme of Cinderella is NOT: overcoming obstacles
The theme of Cinderella COULD BE: People need to overcome obstacles in order to achieve their dreams.
The theme of Macbeth is NOT: greed The theme of Macbeth COULD BE:
Greed could lead to one’s downfall.
Thematic Topics in “Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?”
War Fear
What others can you think of?
“Where Have You Gone Charming Billy”
Answer the following prompt. Use two quotes from the story to support your answer.
Prompt: How does the author use irony to support the theme of the story?