1. Elements of AP Literature

2. EQ: How do writers create sustainable plots? Read the introduction to plot on pages 107-108. As you read, develop a working answer to the essential question. Read “An Old -Fashioned Story” by Laurie Colwin pages 62-71. Be prepared to discuss the plot-motivation & causation; controlling impulse-conflicts; doubt, tension, and interest.

3. “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather Determine 2-3 conflicts in the story and discuss how each one creates doubt, tension, and interest thereby leading to causes and effects. Remember true analysis includes contextual support.

4. PLOT “In a good work, nothing is irrelevant or accidental; everything is related and causative” (Roberts and Jacobs 107). Plot is dependent upon the conflicts in the story. Conflicts are the controlling impulse in a connected pattern of causes and effects. Engaging conflicts create doubt, tension, and interest.

5. Perspective Observation and expression depend upon two major factors: 1) the physical situation of the narrator, speaker, or observer –How close is the speaker to the action? Is the speaker a major participant or witness? 2) the speaker’s intellectual and emotional position:

6. Characters “A character is a verbal rnepresentation of a human being. Through action, speech, description and commentary, authors portray characters who are worth caring about” (Roberts and Jacobs157). Dynamic characters are “full, lifelike, and memorable... they recognize change with, or adjust to circumstances” 161).

7. Dynamic characters Dynamic characters are shown using four techniques: 1. Actions 2. Realization of a new strength, and therefore, affirmation of prior decisions 3. Acceptance of a new condition and need for making changes 4. Discovery of unrecognized truths

8. Static or Flat Characters These characters “remain the same because they lack knowledge or insight, or because they are stupid or insensitive” (162). However, these characters are frequently used to build the traits or support the traits of dynamic characters.

9. “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan Read “Two Kinds” on pp 211-218 1. Considering the four techniques for building characters, discuss how Jing Mei is depicted as a dynamic character. 2. How does Jing Mei’s character create verisimilitude for the reader? 3. Discuss whether or not the Mother is a dynamic character. 4. Explain what role Mr. Chong’s character plays in the story. Remember to use contextual evidence.

10. Point of View “Because of the ramifications of creating a narrative voice, point of view may also be considered as the centralizing or guiding intelligence in a work” (Roberts and Jacobs 225). The narrative voice is the presentation of all other elements-it is what brings the story and characters to life. “We constantly hear the speaker’s voice and are influenced by his narration

11. Observation and expression depend upon two major factors: 1) the physical situation of the narrator, speaker, or observer –How close is the speaker to the action? Is the speaker a major participant or witness? 2) the speaker’s intellectual and emotional position: How might the narrator gain or lose from what takes place in the story? Are the speaker’s words colored by these interests?

12. The Things They Carried excerpt by Tim O’Brien Be able to answer the following DQs: Notate contextual evidence and jot down some ideas. 1.Identify the point of view and explain what the narrator’s role is in this novel excerpt. How close is the speaker to the action? Is the speaker a major participant or witness? 2. Examine the vantage point of the speaker and how he/she reports action and dialogue. Does he seem distant or close to the action/conflicts? Does he seem to sympathize with the characters? 3. Explain whether or not O’Brien engages readers by choosing this point of view? Does the narrator have the authority to reveal the story? Is the narrative voice believable? What is the narrator’s purpose for telling the story? Does his attitude impact the story?

13. First person: the voice of “I”-the impersonation of a fictional narrator or speaker who may be named or unnamed; reliable or unreliable but has an participating account. Second person: offers two scenarios 1. a narrator tells a listener what he or she has done and said at a past time. 2. equally complex, some narrators seem to be addressing “you” but are instead referring mainly to themselves. “To Myself” in poetry packet.

14. Third Person: the author uses he, she, it, or they as the narrator. 1. Objective-unidentified speaker who reports things in a way that is “analogous to a hovering or tracking video camera” or a “fly on the wall.” 2. Omniscient-The speaker not only presents action and dialogue but also reports what goes on in the minds of the characters. 3. Limited Omniscient: The author concentrates on or limits the narrator to the actions and thoughts of the major character.

15. EQ: How does the narrator’s perspective impact the reading of the short story? Read “Song of Songs” p 241-244 Page 233-234 has an overview/review of various points of view. 1. Explain the point of view of this story; is it third person omniscient, third person limited, first person or a mixture of both. Be prepared to defend your analysis with contextual evidence. 2. Determine if the narrator is reliable. Objective or subjective. 3. Analyze how Barrett’s history becomes a part of the significance of the point of view.

16. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson Read “The Lottery” p 245-250 1. Explain the point of view of the story. Does the narrator seem to have positional authority? What about emotional or intellectual? 2. Analyze why Mrs. Jackson decided to not use omniscient point of view. How would the story be different if she had?

17. Setting Setting is “the natural, manufactured, political, cultural, and temporal environment, including everything that characters know and own” (Roberts and Jacobs 275). The setting augments a work’s verisimilitude or realism, accentuates qualities of character, and helps to create atmosphere and mood.

18. Authors use three basic types of setting: 1. Public and private places, together with possessions. 2. Outdoor places 3. Cultural and historical circumstances

19. “Araby” by James Joyce Read “Araby” on pages 294-298 Search for 3 passages that are exquisite in revealing the setting and its importance to the story. Write commentary for each one.