The Importance of Stories http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDVa wKB1FwY Stories: Entertain Transmit culture/world views Can be used to teach life lessons Help us come to a greater understanding of the world/humanity The Importance of Stories

Learning Life Lessons Through Literature Theme: A statement about life a particular work is trying to get across to the reader. Learning Life Lessons Through Literature

Short Stories Short Story: A brief fictional prose narrative Prose: Writing or speaking in the usual or ordinary form. Prose becomes poetry when the writing takes on a specific rhyme, rhythm or form. Other Definitions of Short Story “a brief fictional prose narrative designed to create a unified impression quickly and forcefully” (from Harris, et al. The Literacy Dictionary, IRA, 1995) A well-written short story provides, “…rich characters, fascinating conflicts, thoughtful and thought-provoking themes. However, because they are short, they are often more focused on a single main character and a single conflict….” (Heather Lattimer. Thinking through Genre, Stenhouse, 2003) Short Stories

New concept: “Conflict” Plot is the action or sequence of events in a narrative. Complication is the catalyst that begins the major conflict and is often the problem or goal of the main character. Conflict can come in five forms: Person – against – self Person – against – person Person – against – nature Person – against – society Person – against – fate New concept: “Conflict”

D. The start of a story that introduces characters and setting. Exposition Complication Rising action 4. Climax 5. Falling action 6. Conflict 7. Resolution A. Singular event that causes the conflict, or sets the conflict in motion. B. A satisfactory conclusion that is either positive or negative for the character. C. The point of highest interest, suspense, or greatest emotional tension. D. The start of a story that introduces characters and setting. E. Events that occur as the character(s) attempt to resolve the conflict. F. Events that occur after the climax of the story, in which the character works to resolve the conflict. G. Problem or struggle in the story. There may be multiple forms.

Sustained interest created by delaying the resolution Allusion Simile Metaphor Personification Foreshadowing Suspense Irony Sustained interest created by delaying the resolution A contradiction between appearance/expectation and reality. A comparison of unlike things using like or as. When animals, ideas, things are represented as having human qualities. A figure of speech in with two unlike things are compared without using like or as. A reference to a literary, historical, biblical character, event, or element. Any clue or hint of future events in a narrative.

Adjectives the author uses to DIRECTLY describe the character Characterization: The way that the author builds a character in a narrative. Indirect Characterization Direct Characterization Adjectives the author uses to DIRECTLY describe the character Includes: Actions Appearance Dialogue Private thoughts Reactions by other characters

Persuasive Essay: Terms to know Thesis: Statement that clearly states the main idea/main point of an essay. (Jim and Della do not have a truly unselfish and loving relationship.) Textual evidence: Facts/information from a source that supports your thesis. (Jim and Della both sell their most prized possessions for foolish reasons.) Citation: to use textual information as an example, support, illustration, or prove of a point. Jim’s watch had belonged to his father, and his grandfather before that (1). Conventions: Following standard rules of the language (including proper spelling, word usage, punctuation, and grammar). Persuasive Essay: Terms to know

Claim vs. Counterclaim Claim Counter-claim Your thesis statement You will use evidence to defend this You will re-state this throughout the body of your persuasive essay. Example: “Jim and Della have the ideal relationship…” Opposes your thesis statement (the opposite side) State the counter-claim Then state why the counter- claim is INCORRECT “Some people would say that Jim and Della are poor and should not be spending their money on frivolous things. However….(why they are INCORRECT)

“Twenty feet below him the sea rumbled and hissed. Rainsford hesitated “Twenty feet below him the sea rumbled and hissed. Rainsford hesitated. He heard the hounds. The he leaped far out into the sea…” “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” “…a short, hoarse cry came from his lips as he realized he had reached too far and had lost his balance.” “But the hope that was in Rainsford’s brain when he climbed died, for he saw in the shallow valley that General Zaroff was still on his feet. But Ivan was not.” “General Zaroff had an exceedingly good dinner in his great paneled dining hall that evening.” Plot Term?

Clickers…NO notes!!! Resolution Allusion Complication Metaphor Jim walking through the door to discover Della cut her hair. Della having only 1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. The title “The Gift of the Magi” is a(n) _________________. Jim’s line “suppose we put the chops on” (after he tells Della he sold the watch). O.Henry comparing Jim and Della to the Magi is the narrative’s ___________. “The next two hours tripped by on rosy wings.” Resolution Allusion Complication Metaphor Rising Action Falling Action Clickers…NO notes!!!