SHORT STORY REVIEW

WHAT MUST A STORY HAVE? Setting- the locale or period in which the action

of a novel, play, film, etc., takes place Characters- A person or thing portrayed in an

artistic piece, such as a drama or novel, a part or role, as in a play or film

Plot- Also called storyline. the plan, scheme,

or main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story.

WHAT ELSE?Point of View- the position of the narrator in

relation to the story, as indicated by the narrator's outlook from which the events are depicted and by the attitude toward the characters, also 1st or 3rd person view

WHAT ARE 1ST AND 3RD PERSON?1st person- the grammatical person used by a

speaker in statements referring to himself or herself or to a group including himself or herself, as I and we in English

3rd person- the person that is used by the speaker

of an utterance in referring to anything or to anyone other than the speaker or the one or ones being addressed

WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF A STORY?

Exposition - dialogue, description, etc., that gives the

audience or reader the background of the characters and the present situation.

Rising action – a related series of incidents in a

literary plot that build toward the point of greatest interest

Climax – a moment that is of maximum intensity or is a major turning point in a plot

ARE THERE OTHER PARTS?Falling action - the part of a literary plot that

occurs after the climax has been reached and the conflict has been resolved

Resolution – the resulting state

“THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS”

Paranoia-baseless or excessive suspicion of the

motives of othersRegiment- a group or army Incinerator- a furnace or apparatus for burning trash,

garbage, etc., to ashesOblivious- unmindful; unconscious; unaware Psychopathic-an antisocial personality disorder,

manifested in aggressive, perverted, criminal, or amoral behavior without empathy or remorse

“THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS”

Simile- a comparison using “like” or “as” Personification- giving human characteristics to something non-

human Setting- place and time of story Symbolism- something that stands in place of something else Protagonist- the main character Imagery- descriptive language that creates pictures in the

mind

“THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS”Who/what is the protagonist?The houseWhat is the setting?Year 2026, a smart house, CaliforniaWho had lived in the house?A family of four, the McClelandsWhat things can the house do?Cook, speak the time, clean itself

“CHARLES”Elaborately-marked by intricate and often excessive

detailSimultaneously- existing, occurring, or operating at the

same timeCynically-bitterly or sneeringly distrustfulMatronly-a married woman, esp. one who is

mature and staid or dignified and has an established social position

“CHARLES”Characterization-the creation and convincing representation of

fictitious charactersPlot-storyline, the plan, scheme, or main story of

a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story- consists of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution

Theme- a unifying or dominant idea or truth, motif,

or underlying message

“CHARLES” Who is the protagonist? Laurie What is the setting? Home, a kindergarten class What is fact? Something that can be proven What is opinion? What a person thinks or feels about

something, people can have different or opposing opinions- no right or wrong

Who is Charles? Laurie

“SEVENTH GRADE”Catechism- a series of questions and answers to

help learn religionPropelled- pushed forwardScowl- a look of displeasureLingered- stayed behindTrudge- to walk heavily or wearilySprint- to run quickly

“SEVENTH GRADE”Who is the protagonist?ViktorWhat is the setting?Fresno, CA, a middle schoolWhy does Michael scowl?He saw it in a magazine and thinks it

makes him look coolWhy does Viktor take French?Because he knows Teresa is taking

French

“SEVENTH GRADE”Why is Teresa so impressed with

Viktor?She thinks he knows FrenchWhy does Viktor think he will like

seventh grade?He knows he will be spending

time with Teresa helping her with French

“ANTAEUS”Robust-strong and healthyObscure- unclearAwe-overwhelming feeling of reverence,

admiration, fear, etc.Flourishing-growing vigorously; thriving;

prosperousNurtured-to feed and protect

“ANTAEUS”Conflict-to come into collision or

disagreementThree types of conflict

Man vs. ManMan vs. SelfMan vs. Nature

Allusion-an incidental mention of something,

either directly or by implication

“ANTAEUS”Where is T.J. from?AlabamaWhat does his gang decide to grow?GrassWhere do they grow it?A factory roofWho destroys it?The boysWhy do they destroy it?To keep the owner from destroying it

“BROKEN CHAIN”Sullen-showing irritation or ill humor by a

gloomy silence or reserveSwagger-walk with arrogance or attitudeMuster- to gatherFrustrated-disappointed; thwartedDesperation-the state of being desperate or of

having the recklessness of despair

“BROKEN CHAIN”What is the setting?Fresno, CA, a neighborhoodWho is the protagonist?AlfonsoWho is older? Alfonso or Ernie?ErnieWhat is the positive outcome for

helping the little boy?Alfonso meets Sandra

“BROKEN CHAIN”Why doesn’t Alfonso borrow

Raul’s bike?He is afraid that he will be

chargedHow do Alfonso and Sandra finally

get to ride together?Ernie allows Alfonso to borrow his

bike and they ride together

“HOME”Magnificent- grandExtension- add to length, such as timeBurden- heavy weight, literally or

figurativelySuspect- in question

“HOME” Imagery- descriptive language that paints a picture in

the mind Inference- the process of arriving at some conclusion,

especially when not directly stated Theme- a unifying or dominant idea or truth, motif,

or underlying message Plot- Also called storyline. the plan, scheme, or

main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story

“HOME”What is the setting?Chicago, IllinoisWhere does Papa go during his lunch

hour?The office of Home Owner’s LoanDoes this family want to move?NoWhat does Helen plan to do at the end

of the story?Throw a party

AUTHORS“There Will Come Soft Rains”Ray Bradbury“Charles”Shirley Jackson“Seventh Grade”Gary Soto

AUTHORS“Antaeus”Borden Deal“Broken Chain”Gary Soto“Home”Gwendolyn Brooks

FIVE PARTS OF PLOT

Exposition

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Resolution

TEST FORMATTrue/FalseMatchingFill-in-the-blankMultiple ChoiceLabel and DefineDiscussion