ENGLISH I: SHORT STORIESComprehension and Analysis

Harvard Reading Skills Look “around” the text Annotate Outline, Summarize, Analyze Look for repetitions and patterns Contextualize Compare and Contrast

“The Most Dangerous Game” pp 19-36

Plot: the events/circumstances that make up a story Exposition- The introductory material which gives

the setting, creates the tone, presents the characters, and presents other facts necessary to understanding the story.

Conflict- The essence of fiction; it creates plot. The conflicts (or obstacles/problems) we encounter can usually be identified as one of four types (see below).

Rising Action- A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax.

Plot continued Climax- The climax is the result of the

crisis. It is the high point of the story for the reader. Frequently, it is the moment of the highest interest and greatest emotion. The point at which the outcome of the conflict can usually be predicted.

Falling Action- The events after the climax which close the story.

Resolution- (aka denouement) Rounds out and concludes the action.

Plot Triangle

Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Resolution

Types of Conflict Internal: problem within oneself (person versus self)

—examples: a major decision, insanity, difficult emotions

External: person has a problem with outside forces Person v PersonPerson against another person—could be

mental, emotional, physical, etc. Person v Society Person against a collective group—

could be oppressive society, etc. Person v Nature Person against natural forces—ex:

weather, terrain, etc. Person v Supernatural Person versus forces that aren’t

natural—ex: God, superheroes, etc. Person v Technology Person against science/technology

—ex: Terminator, robots, etc.

Setting

Definition: Where and when the plot takes place (ex: 1915; London, England)

Importance: Setting can influence the action of the story, and can also help establish mood

“Papa Who Wakes Up

Tired in the Dark”

Point of View (POV) Definition: the narrator’s position in relation to the

story being toldTYPES First person—I, me, my, our, we—the narrator is

directly involved in the story 2nd person—you, you all (usually in self-help books,

guide books, and DIY manuals) 3rd person—they, he, she, it—the narrator is removed

from the action in the story/ not a character (most common POV used in novels, short stories, etc.) Omniscient—knows thoughts and actions of characters Limited—limited to only what is observed/heard; doesn’t

know thoughts

Diction

Diction: Element of style an author’s word choice; affects tone; determined based on purpose and audience Example:

"Dearest reader, I humbly entreat you to eschew the latest celebrity tittle-tattle and instead devote your attention to diction and tone." Sophisticated/elevated word choice—very formal

versus"Listen up! Drop the gossip magazine and get with the diction/tone program!" Informal/colloquial word choice—used with peers/friends/people of equal or lower “status”

Tone Definition: implied attitude of the

author/speaker toward the subject/audience; determined by diction

Review the tone descriptors on your handout—these are great words to use to describe the author’s tone!

How does tone influence the meaning of a text? (Part of our essential question today!)

Connotation and Denotation Denotation: the literal, “dictionary definition” meaning of a word

Connotation: the commonly understood, subjective cultural association of meaning with a word, in addition to the dictionary definition For example, we use many different terms for young people. While

“little one” and “brat” both literally refer to a young person, “little one” usually has a positive connotation (association), whereas “brat” typically has a negative connotation. You wouldn’t want to compliment a young mother by calling her child a “cute little brat.”

Other examples: “Stink” versus “aroma” “Reckless” plan versus “daring” plan “Easygoing” friend versus “lazy” friend Answer with “arrogance” versus answer with “confidence”

Positive, Negative, and Neutral Connotations

POSITIVE= “LITTLE ONE”NEUTRAL=CHILDNEGATIVE=BRAT

Positive, Negative, and Neutral Connotations

POSITIVE= “STROLLING” NEUTRAL=“WALKING”

NEGATIVE=“TRUDGING”

Character and Characterization

Characterization— the process of revealing the personality of a character

Character- a person in a story, poem, or play (sometimes animals) Ways to reveal character:

1. Letting us hear the character speak2. Describing how they look or dress3. Letting us listen to the character’s inner thoughts and feelings4. Revealing what other characters think or say about the character5. Showing us what the character does— how they act.6. Tell us directly what the character’s personality is like: cruel, kind,

sneaky, etc. Indirect Characterization- (first 5 ways) we have to use our own

judgment to decide what a character is like, based on the evidence the writer gives us.

Direct characterization- (#6) we don’t have to decide; we’re told

Character (continued) Characters are classified as:

Static- one who does not change much (ex: Zaroff in MDG)

Dynamic- character changes as a result of the story’s events (ex: Rainsford in MDG)

Flat- has only one or two traits (ex: Ivan in MDG) Round- like a real person, has many different character

traits (usually, protagonists in novels, plays, etc.) Motivation- the fears or conflicts that drive a

character (ex: vengeance, fear, greed, love, boredom) Motivation plays a role in characterization as well—by

analyzing motivation, we can make judgments re: character traits

Character Classification

Static—always mean Dynamic—changes

Character Classification

Flat—just evil Round—stubborn, tender-hearted, playful, loyal, etc.