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?