“PRISCILLA AND THE WIMPS” A Short Story by Richard Peck Codes and Conventions

Conflict- Man vs. Man The gang BULLIES the students. They demand money. They have all power and control. Priscilla stands up against Monk and the Kobras

Direct Charaterization The author explicitly tells the reader what the characters are like “Priscilla was, hands down, the largest student in the school. And I’m not talking fat. I’m talking big. Even beautiful…” “Melvin’s one of the smallest guys above midget status ever seen.”

Indirect Characterization Priscilla can be pensive and will stand up for what is right “She’s taking her time shoving her books into her locker and pulling on an extra-large coat.” “He’s standing inches from Priscilla, but since he’d have to look up at her, he doesn’t.”

Allusion and Foreshadowing  “This school was old Monk’s Garden of Eden.” “Unfortunately for him, there was a serpent in it. The reason Monk didn’t recognize trouble when it was staring him in the face is that serpent in the Kobras’ Eden was a girl.” “But girls usually got off without a warning.”

Irony (Situational Irony) “Well, where there is fate, an even bigger force than Priscilla steps in. It snows all that night, a blizzard. The whole town ices up. School closes for a week.”

Sample paragraph from Harry Potter (1) J.K. Rowling uses compelling codes and conventions in her text to convey the theme that being true to one’s own morals can be difficult. (2) code/convention. For example, throughout the entire Harry Potter series, Harry constantly struggles against Voldemort. Their continual conflict is a metaphor for Harry’s bravery. (3) Describe the specific conflict/ example for the code/convention with page number. In the second novel, The Chamber of Secrets, Harry must destroy the Horcrux Diary which symbolically represents his bravery against also destroying a part of Voldemort. This shows how bravery conquers over the conflict between Harry and Voldemort. Next, move to the 2nd code/convention. (2) In addition, J.K. Rowling emphasizes Harry’s brave nature through flashbacks which he experiences vividly. Although he is haunted by the death of his parents, Harry’s flashbacks remind him that the world is filled with evil and he must fight against it in order to stay true to his values. (3) Example from the text with page number. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry wards off the Dementors after a flashback of his father protecting him, which enables him the strength to cast a Patronus Charm.Conclusion: The metaphor Rowling employs throughout the series about Harry’s bravery as well as her use of Harry’s flashbacks both demonstrate the difficult nature of remaining true to one’s values.