1. The Things They Carried: Analyzing “How to Tell a True War Story”
I can analyze how an author’s word choice creates tone and mood.
I can evaluate whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.

2. Agenda Bell Ringer Notes on Structure Notes on Diction, Tone, and Mood
Analysis of “How to Tell a True War Story”
Diction, Tone, and Mood
Structure
Hw: Read & annotate article; generate Socratic questions

3. Notes on Plot Structure
There are many different ways that authors can choose to structure their plot.
Here are a few:
Linear
Non-Linear
Episodic
Multiple Perspectives
Based on what you’ve read so far, which plot structure(s) does O’Brien use in The Things They Carried?

4. Non-Linear Plot
A non-linear plot presents events out of chronological order.
It might start at the beginning, jump to the middle, come back to the beginning, jump to the end, etc.
It tends to give away major events before they actually occur in the book/movie/play/show..

5. Diction:
Definition: The strategic choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
PURPOSE: The author chooses specific words in order to create a certain effect for the reader (usually to create TONE/MOOD
Authors often choose words based on their Connotation.
When identifying diction, you should explain the TYPE of words the author has chosen that helps establish the tone or mood.
For Example: The author uses academic diction to create scholarly tone.
Strategic Language Use (You have a handout over this from last semester)

6. Tone Author’s Attitude
Tone/Attitude: The author’s (or speaker’s) perceptions and presentation of the material and the audience. The stance or relationship the speaker has with his or her subject.
In the past, you’ve learned this is the attitude a speaker takes towards a subject or character,
To analyze tone/attitude, you will need to do a close reading of the diction and syntax of the text.
Tone Author’s Attitude

7. How does TONE lead to MOOD?
After determining the attitude of the author or speaker, you should then consider how the tone makes you feel. This is called the mood.

8. Mood Audience’s feelings
Mood: the atmosphere created by the author to produce the desired emotions in the audience.
Think of it as how the AUDIENCE feels.
To analyze mood, identify the tone and consider the author’s intent.

9. Identify: Diction Tone Mood
Two or three more times Paul worked him close to shore, only to have him swirl and return to the deep, but even at that distance my father and I could feel the ebbing of the underwater power. The rod went high in the air, and the man moved backwards swiftly but evenly, motions which when translated into events meant the fish had tried to rest for a moment on top of the water and the man had quickly raised the rod high and skidded him to shore before the fish thought of getting under water again. He skidded him across the rocks clear back to a sandbar before the shocked fish gasped and discovered he could not live in oxygen. In belated despair, he rose in the sand and consumed the rest of momentary life in the Dance of Death on his tail. The man put the wand down, got on his hands and knees in the sand, and, like an animal, circled another animal and waited. Then the shoulder shot straight out, and my brother stood up, faced us, and, with uplifted arm proclaimed himself the victor. Something giant dangled from his fist. Had Romans been watching they would have thought what was dangling had a helmet on it.
Identify: Diction Tone Mood

10. Re-Read Pg. 65 beginning at the break, “A true war story…” and ending on pg. 67 at “…vines and white blossoms.” Answer Questions 1, 2, & 3 based on this section of the text.
Re-Read Pg. 79, beginning at “This one wakes me up…” and through the end of the chapter on pg. 81. Then, answer question 4 based on this section of the text.
 Answer Questions 5-8 about the entire chapter.
Analyzing “How to Tell a True War Story” Diction, Tone, and Mood Structure

11. Homework
Next class we will have a Socratic over your Reading, “The David Sedaris Dilemma” and will tie it to your reading of The Things They Carried. Your homework requires that you read and annotate the text and then write 4 questions to prepare for the Socratic.

12. Instructions: To prepare for our Socratic Seminar, you need to prepare 4 discussion questions, one of each of the following type:
Inference: A questions that requires the answer to make an inference based on information from the text
Rhetorical Analysis: A question that requires analysis of the rhetorical choices made by the author and explanation of intention and effect
Text to Text: A question that requires a connection between this text and The Things They Carried
Text to World: A question that requires a connection between this text and the real world
Additionally, you need to be prepared to offer to comments to the discussion.
Be ready to cite evidence from the article, “The David Sedaris Delimma,” and from The Things They Carried.
You will be expected to participate in this seminar by commenting at least twice and asking at least one of your prepared questions.

13. Socratic Seminar Reminders
Rules for Socratic Seminar
Socratic Seminar Reminders
All students must come to the discussion prepared.
All students must participate in the discussion.
Students are expected to take turns speaking and refrain from interrupting others.
All comments should be school- appropriate and non-confrontational.
Students are expected to listen closely to the commentary made by other students.
Students will be expected to demonstrate respect for peers through acceptable behavior.
Side conversations (even one) will result in an automatic letter grade reduction for the discussion grade.
Formative Rubric
SL.1 I can initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on a range of 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
I/M 1
65% 2
70% 3
80% 4
90% 5
100%
Incomplete
Did not participate
Attempted
  Try Again After Some Help
Developing
 Need More Practice
Competent
Room for Growth
Proficient
 You Got It
Exemplary
 Above and Beyond