Short Story Review

1. Short Story Review

2. What must a story have? • Setting- • the locale or period in which the action of a novel, play, film, etc., takes place • Characters- • A person or thing portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel, a part or role, as in a play or film • Plot- • Also called storyline. the plan, scheme, or main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story.

3. What else? • Point of View- • the position of the narrator in relation to the story, as indicated by the narrator's outlook from which the events are depicted and by the attitude toward the characters, also 1st or 3rd person view

4. What are 1st and 3rd person? • 1st person- • the grammatical person used by a speaker in statements referring to himself or herself or to a group including himself or herself, as I and we in English • 3rd person- • the person that is used by the speaker of an utterance in referring to anything or to anyone other than the speaker or the one or ones being addressed

5. What are the parts of a story? • Exposition - • dialogue, description, etc., that gives the audience or reader the background of the characters and the present situation. • Rising action – • a related series of incidents in a literary plot that build toward the point of greatest interest • Climax – • a moment that is of maximum intensity or is a major turning point in a plot

6. Are there other parts? • Falling action - • the part of a literary plot that occurs after the climax has been reached and the conflict has been resolved • Resolution – • the resulting state

7. “There Will Come Soft Rains” • Paranoia- • baseless or excessive suspicion of the motives of others • Regiment- • a group or army • Incinerator- • a furnace or apparatus for burning trash, garbage, etc., to ashes • Oblivious- • unmindful; unconscious; unaware • Psychopathic- • an antisocial personality disorder, manifested in aggressive, perverted, criminal, or amoral behavior without empathy or remorse

8. “There Will Come Soft Rains” • Simile- • a comparison using “like” or “as” • Personification- • giving human characteristics to something non-human • Setting- • place and time of story • Symbolism- • something that stands in place of something else • Protagonist- • the main character • Imagery- • descriptive language that creates pictures in the mind

9. “There Will Come Soft Rains” • Who/what is the protagonist? • The house • What is the setting? • Year 2026, a smart house, California • Who had lived in the house? • A family of four, the McClelands • What things can the house do? • Cook, speak the time, clean itself

10. “Charles” • Elaborately- • marked by intricate and often excessive detail • Simultaneously- • existing, occurring, or operating at the same time • Cynically- • bitterly or sneeringly distrustful • Matronly- • a married woman, esp. one who is mature and staid or dignified and has an established social position

11. “Charles” • Characterization- • the creation and convincing representation of fictitious characters • Plot- • storyline, the plan, scheme, or main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story- consists of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution • Theme- • a unifying or dominant idea or truth, motif, or underlying message

12. “Charles” • Who is the protagonist? • Laurie • What is the setting? • Home, a kindergarten class • What is fact? • Something that can be proven • What is opinion? • What a person thinks or feels about something, people can have different or opposing opinions- no right or wrong • Who is Charles? • Laurie

13. “Seventh Grade” • Catechism- • a series of questions and answers to help learn religion • Propelled- • pushed forward • Scowl- • a look of displeasure • Lingered- • stayed behind • Trudge- • to walk heavily or wearily • Sprint- • to run quickly

14. “Seventh Grade” • Who is the protagonist? • Viktor • What is the setting? • Fresno, CA, a middle school • Why does Michael scowl? • He saw it in a magazine and thinks it makes him look cool • Why does Viktor take French? • Because he knows Teresa is taking French

15. “Seventh Grade” • Why is Teresa so impressed with Viktor? • She thinks he knows French • Why does Viktor think he will like seventh grade? • He knows he will be spending time with Teresa helping her with French

16. “Antaeus” • Robust- • strong and healthy • Obscure- • unclear • Awe- • overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc. • Flourishing- • growing vigorously; thriving; prosperous • Nurtured- • to feed and protect

17. “Antaeus” • Conflict- • to come into collision or disagreement • Three types of conflict • Man vs. Man • Man vs. Self • Man vs. Nature • Allusion- • an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication

18. “Antaeus” • Where is T.J. from? • Alabama • What does his gang decide to grow? • Grass • Where do they grow it? • A factory roof • Who destroys it? • The boys • Why do they destroy it? • To keep the owner from destroying it

19. “Broken Chain” • Sullen- • showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence or reserve • Swagger- • walk with arrogance or attitude • Muster- • to gather • Frustrated- • disappointed; thwarted • Desperation- • the state of being desperate or of having the recklessness of despair

20. “Broken Chain” • What is the setting? • Fresno, CA, a neighborhood • Who is the protagonist? • Alfonso • Who is older? Alfonso or Ernie? • Ernie • What is the positive outcome for helping the little boy? • Alfonso meets Sandra

21. “Broken Chain” • Why doesn’t Alfonso borrow Raul’s bike? • He is afraid that he will be charged • How do Alfonso and Sandra finally get to ride together? • Ernie allows Alfonso to borrow his bike and they ride together

22. “Home” • Magnificent- • grand • Extension- • add to length, such as time • Burden- • heavy weight, literally or figuratively • Suspect- • in question

23. “Home” • Imagery- • descriptive language that paints a picture in the mind • Inference- • the process of arriving at some conclusion, especially when not directly stated • Theme- • a unifying or dominant idea or truth, motif, or underlying message • Plot- • Also called storyline. the plan, scheme, or main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story

24. “Home” • What is the setting? • Chicago, Illinois • Where does Papa go during his lunch hour? • The office of Home Owner’s Loan • Does this family want to move? • No • What does Helen plan to do at the end of the story? • Throw a party

25. Authors • “There Will Come Soft Rains” • Ray Bradbury • “Charles” • Shirley Jackson • “Seventh Grade” • Gary Soto

26. Authors • “Antaeus” • Borden Deal • “Broken Chain” • Gary Soto • “Home” • Gwendolyn Brooks

27. Five Parts of Plot Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution

28. Test Format • True/False • Matching • Fill-in-the-blank • Multiple Choice • Label and Define • Discussion