READING SHORT STORIES: DAY 1Notes on Elements of Literature and Stylistic Techniques Used in Short Stories

Monday, September 22, 2014

Honors and Regular MYP

Quick Write: Free Write• In your composition notebook, do a free write. You may

write about whatever is on your mind. Please write coherent thoughts in English for the full 4 minutes.• You could write about:

• Your weekend• Plans for Homecoming• Anything else on your mind

• Remember to include: • Title and date (9/22/14)• Revision in colored pen

Objective, Agenda, & Homework• Objective: Students will identify the narrative elements

and stylistic techniques used by authors in short stories.• Agenda:

• Quick Write with Revision• Grade Check• Notes• Video on JFK

• Homework: • Honors: none• Regular: Study Greek roots 1-8 for Wednesday’s quiz.

Notes: Parallel Plot• Definition: The writer weaves two or more dramatic plots

that are usually linked by a common character and a similar theme.

• In “American History,” there is one plot about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and a second plot about the main character, Elena. At the end, Elena’s response to the two simultaneous events in her life come together and affect the outcome of her story.

Notes: Point of View• 1st Person Point of View• The narrator uses "I" to refer to himself/herself. • The narrator is a character in the story, often, but not

necessarily, the protagonist. • This narrative point of view allows for a very personal

touch in the story telling.

Notes: Point of View• 2nd Person Point of View• The writer uses “you” and speaks directly to the reader.• It captures the readers attention and brings the reader

into the story.• Not commonly used by authors of short stories.

Notes: Point of View• 3rd Person Objective Point of View• The narrator is not a character in the story.• The story is told purely on what is said and done. It is

basically a camera view of the story.• The reader does not learn the thoughts and feelings of

any character in the story.• Not commonly used by authors of short stories.

Notes: Point of View• 3rd Person Limited Point of View• Also known as an external subjective narrator; the 3rd

person point of view• The narrator is not a character in the story but looks at

things only through the eyes of a single character. • This type of narrative permits the

narrator to quickly build a close bond between the protagonist and the reader, without being confined by the protagonist’s educational or language restrictions.

Notes: Point of View• 3rd Person Omniscient Point of View• Multiple points of view; the narrator is "all-knowing“• The narrator is not a character in the story but knows

everything about the story. The omniscient narrator can show the thoughts and experiences of any character in the story.

• It permits the writer the broadest scope.

Notes: Methods of Characterization • Typically, there are 4 methods of characterization.

• Author describes• Character reveals self through what he/she says and

does• Report reactions of other characters to the individual• Character reveals self through his/her thoughts and

feelings• Method 1, author describes, does not really occur when

the story is told in 1st person point of view because the character is describing him/herself.• We will highlight methods 2-4 in “American History” this week.

Notes: Sentence Structure & Variety• There are several types of sentences that can be used for different

purposes and to create variety for the reader. Below are some we will talk about:• Simple Sentences• Compound Sentences• Complex Sentences• Compound-Complex Sentences• Items in a Series

• Short sentences best convey suspense, tension, and swift action. • Longer sentences work best when explanations and descriptions

are needed. • Prose has rhythm just as poetry does. Its rhythm can be

produced by the juxtaposition of sounds, the use of repetition with a slight variation of patterns, and the varied length of sentences.

Notes: Sentence Structure & Variety• Simple Sentence: consists of only one independent

clause with a subject and a verb• Example: We rode our bikes.• Explanation:

• we = subject• rode = verb

Notes: Sentence Structure & Variety• Compound Sentence: is made up of two or more

independent clauses joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction, a colon, or a semicolon (possibly with a conjunctive adverb)

• Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS): for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

• Conjunctive Adverbs: therefore, however, thus, hence, otherwise

• Example: We rode our bikes, and we had a picnic.• Explanation: independent clause + comma + “and” +

independent clause

Notes: Sentence Structure & Variety• Complex Sentence: contains one independent clause and

one or more dependent clauses• A dependent clause cannot stand on its own as a

sentence; it is a fragment.• Example: We rode our bikes because the weather was

beautiful.• Explanation: independent clause + dependent clause with

subordinate conjunction (“because”)

Notes: Sentence Structure & Variety• Compound-Complex Sentence: contains two independent

clauses and one or more dependent clauses • Example: Because the weather was beautiful, we rode our

bikes, and we had a picnic.• Explanation: dependent clause + independent clause +

independent clause

Notes: Sentence Structure & Variety• Items in a Series: Sentences with 3 or more items in a

series: contains 3 or more items in a list that are separated by commas and a coordinating conjunction

• Example: We rode our bikes down trails, over hills, and through streams.

• Explanation: independent clause with phrase + comma + phrase + comma + “and” + phrase

• The comma before the “and” is known as the Oxford comma and should be used with items in a series.

Background Knowledge: JFK• Tomorrow, we will be reading a story called “American

History” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. One of the plots has to do with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

• Introduction to JFK: Who was he? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjA4mtnCkM4 (10 minutes)

• Assassination of JFK; Impact on a nation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI3SWnGmpz8 (6 minutes)