SHORT STORY REVIEW
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.
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
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
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
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
“THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS”
Paranoia-baseless or excessive suspicion of the
motives of othersRegiment- a group or army Incinerator- a furnace or apparatus for burning trash,
garbage, etc., to ashesOblivious- unmindful; unconscious; unaware Psychopathic-an antisocial personality disorder,
manifested in aggressive, perverted, criminal, or amoral behavior without empathy or remorse
“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
“THERE WILL COME SOFT RAINS”Who/what is the protagonist?The houseWhat is the setting?Year 2026, a smart house, CaliforniaWho had lived in the house?A family of four, the McClelandsWhat things can the house do?Cook, speak the time, clean itself
“CHARLES”Elaborately-marked by intricate and often excessive
detailSimultaneously- existing, occurring, or operating at the
same timeCynically-bitterly or sneeringly distrustfulMatronly-a married woman, esp. one who is
mature and staid or dignified and has an established social position
“CHARLES”Characterization-the creation and convincing representation of
fictitious charactersPlot-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
“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
“SEVENTH GRADE”Catechism- a series of questions and answers to
help learn religionPropelled- pushed forwardScowl- a look of displeasureLingered- stayed behindTrudge- to walk heavily or wearilySprint- to run quickly
“SEVENTH GRADE”Who is the protagonist?ViktorWhat is the setting?Fresno, CA, a middle schoolWhy does Michael scowl?He saw it in a magazine and thinks it
makes him look coolWhy does Viktor take French?Because he knows Teresa is taking
French
“SEVENTH GRADE”Why is Teresa so impressed with
Viktor?She thinks he knows FrenchWhy does Viktor think he will like
seventh grade?He knows he will be spending
time with Teresa helping her with French
“ANTAEUS”Robust-strong and healthyObscure- unclearAwe-overwhelming feeling of reverence,
admiration, fear, etc.Flourishing-growing vigorously; thriving;
prosperousNurtured-to feed and protect
“ANTAEUS”Conflict-to come into collision or
disagreementThree types of conflict
Man vs. ManMan vs. SelfMan vs. Nature
Allusion-an incidental mention of something,
either directly or by implication
“ANTAEUS”Where is T.J. from?AlabamaWhat does his gang decide to grow?GrassWhere do they grow it?A factory roofWho destroys it?The boysWhy do they destroy it?To keep the owner from destroying it
“BROKEN CHAIN”Sullen-showing irritation or ill humor by a
gloomy silence or reserveSwagger-walk with arrogance or attitudeMuster- to gatherFrustrated-disappointed; thwartedDesperation-the state of being desperate or of
having the recklessness of despair
“BROKEN CHAIN”What is the setting?Fresno, CA, a neighborhoodWho is the protagonist?AlfonsoWho is older? Alfonso or Ernie?ErnieWhat is the positive outcome for
helping the little boy?Alfonso meets Sandra
“BROKEN CHAIN”Why doesn’t Alfonso borrow
Raul’s bike?He is afraid that he will be
chargedHow do Alfonso and Sandra finally
get to ride together?Ernie allows Alfonso to borrow his
bike and they ride together
“HOME”Magnificent- grandExtension- add to length, such as timeBurden- heavy weight, literally or
figurativelySuspect- in question
“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
“HOME”What is the setting?Chicago, IllinoisWhere does Papa go during his lunch
hour?The office of Home Owner’s LoanDoes this family want to move?NoWhat does Helen plan to do at the end
of the story?Throw a party
AUTHORS“There Will Come Soft Rains”Ray Bradbury“Charles”Shirley Jackson“Seventh Grade”Gary Soto
AUTHORS“Antaeus”Borden Deal“Broken Chain”Gary Soto“Home”Gwendolyn Brooks
FIVE PARTS OF PLOT
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
TEST FORMATTrue/FalseMatchingFill-in-the-blankMultiple ChoiceLabel and DefineDiscussion