Short Stories

1. Short Stories About the authors Literary terms Story Plot

2. “Seventh Grade” About the Author • Gary Soto • Born in 1952 • Grew up in Fresno, California in a Mexican-American community • Writes poems, essays, and novels • He also teaches and has won many awards

3. Story Plot

4. Story Plot for “Seventh Grade” • 1. Victor took French because the girl he likes took it. • 2. Michael showed off his scowl to impress the girls. • 2. Teresa said hi to Victor and he said, “Yeah, that’s me”. • 2. Victor said, “Theresa” when Mr. Lucas asked Victor for an example of a noun. • 2. Theresa smiled at Victor at lunch. • 2. Victor pretended to know how to speak French to impress Theresa. • 3. Mr. Bueller knew that Victor didn’t know French but did not embarrass him in front of Theresa. • 4. Mr. Bueller remembered the time he pretended to be rich in college to impress a girl. • 4. Teresa asked Victor to help her with her French. • 5. Victor checked out three textbooks and decided that it was going to be a great year.

5. Setting – where and when the story occurred • Where? • When?

6. Protagonist • the main character in a story, novel, drama, or other literary work Antagonist • the character who works against the main character.

7. Theme – the big idea, the message or moral of the story • Possible themes: • Crime doesn’t pay • Friendship sometimes means sacrifice • Family is important • Do not act like someone you are not • Be careful what you wish for • Sacrifices bring rewards • Love conquers all

8. Point of View – the perspective of the one telling the story 1st Person – narrator is the character in the story -- Look for pronouns – I, me, we, us www.barnesandnoble.com

9. Point of View – the perspective of the one telling the story 2nd person – narrator tells story to someone • Look for pronoun – you www.barnesandnoble.com

10. Point of View – the perspective of the one telling the story 3rd person – narrator is not a character • 3rd person omniscent– narrator relates to the thoughts, feelings, and actions of ALL characters • 3rd person limited – narrator tells what ONE person think, feels, and observes • Look for pronouns – he, she, it , they, them

11. Conflict- a struggle between opposing forces • Internal Conflict: takes place inside the character • Roger vs. himself - should he run away? • What should Mrs. Jones do with this boy? • External Conflict: a character’s struggle against a force outside himself or herself • Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse. • Mrs. Jones grabs Roger.

12. “Thank you, M’am” About the Author • Langston Hughes • 1902 – 1967 • One of the most renowned and influential African-American writers • Writes poems, short stories, plays, song lyrics, and radio scripts • One of the first African-Americans to earn a living writing

13. Story Plot

14. Story Plot for “Thank you, M’am” • 1. The boy tried to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse. • 2. Mrs. Jones grabbed the frail boy and took him to her house. • 2. Mrs. Jones told Roger to wash his face and make himself look presentable. • 2. Roger explained why he tried to steal her purse. He wanted to buy blue, suede shoes. • 2. Roger offered to go to the store for Mrs. Jones. • 2. They ate dinner together and Mrs. Jones told Roger all about her life. • 3. Mrs. Jones gave Roger $10.00 to buy the shoes he wanted. • 4. Mrs. Jones led Roger to the door and told him to behave himself. • 5. Roger said, “Thank you, M’am.”