1. SHORT STORY UNIT
Plot Notes

2. 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.

3. 2. Rising Action
This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

4. 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.

5. 4. Falling Action
All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

6. 5. Resolution
The story comes to a reasonable ending.

7. Plot Line
Complete the following plot line, including at least one specific event/detail from the story that support each section.
3. Climax
2. Rising Action
What is the main conflict?
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution
1. Exposition

8. Characterization Notes
SHORT STORY UNIT
Characterization Notes

9. 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

10. 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?

11. Completing a character analysis.
Directions: In your notebook, complete a STEAL analysis for Grandma in the story “My Grandmother”.
Answers to Anchor Questions
CD that supports observation
Speech
Thoughts
Effects on others
Actions
Looks

12. Which character am I assigned?
August
Via
Jack
Summer
Julian
Miranda
Justin

13. Completing a character analysis.
Directions: In your notebook, complete a STEAL analysis for your character.
Answers to Anchor Questions
CD that supports observation
Speech
Thoughts
Effects on others
Actions
Looks

14. SHORT STORY UNIT
Imagery Notes

15. What is imagery?
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
smell a scent

16. SHORT STORY UNIT
Point of View Notes

17. Point of View: Who’s Telling the Story?
Third Person
Omniscient
Limited
First Person
Second Person
Mixed

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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.”

21. Symbolism Notes

22. Symbolism 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.

23. Symbolism What can be a symbol? Object Picture Written word Sound
Numerals (numbers)

24. Symbolism
Example: picture
= love

25. Symbolism
Example: math

26. Symbolism Example: colors RED = love, danger WHITE= peace, purity
GREEN = nature, wealth

27. 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.

28. SHORT STORY UNIT
Conflict Notes

29. 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.

30. What is Conflict? A struggle between two opposing forces
Relationship to key character terms "protagonist" and "antagonist"
Four major types of conflict in literature

31. Four Major Types of Conflict
Person versus Nature
A character must overcome some natural obstacle or condition
Floods, snowstorms, insects, plague, famine, or animals
Person versus Person
A struggle between two people
Not always openly hostile (i.e., psychological conflict, a battle of wits, etc.)

32. Four Major Types of Conflict
Person versus Society
A character is at odds with a particular social force or condition produced by society
Poverty, political revolution, a social convention, or set of values
Person versus Self (internal conflict)
A character struggles with facets within themselves
May be emotional, intellectual, or moral
Such conflicts typically leave the character indecisive and agitated

33. SHORT STORY UNIT
Irony Notes

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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).

37. SHORT STORY UNIT
Theme Notes

38. 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

39. 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?

40. 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.

41. Thematic Topics in “Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?”
War
Fear
What others can you think of?

42. “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?