Characterization and Elements of a Short Story by

Characterization and Elements of a Short Story by Mr. Mrtz

Topic: Seventh Grade by Gary Soto • • • Do now: what is figurative language? In Class Act-s: 1 -Seventh Grade by Gary Soto (Listening) 2 -Vocabulary Power (Review & Quiz) 3 -Characterization (Direct-Indirect) 4 -Short story

• • Reading Comprehension about “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto Please answer the following questions with complete sentences. Make sure that your answers are clear and complete. • 1. What does Michael do in the story to try to impress girls? Do you think his efforts are effective? Why or why not? Explain your answer. • 2. What does Victor do in the story to try to impress Teresa? Do you think his efforts are effective? Why or why not? Explain your answer. • 3. The French teacher, Mr. Bueller, realizes that Victor is faking his knowledge of French. What event from Mr. Bueller’s past that leads him to keep the truth about Victor’s claim to himself. What does this action of Mr. Bueller’s tell you about him as a person and as a teacher? • 4. Victor is finally able to impress Teresa. Do you think it matters that this impression is based on something that isn’t true? Why or why not? Explain your answer. • 5. What advice would you give Victor about the way he tries to impress Teresa?

Vocabulary Power Review • Bustled, conviction, uncertainly, sheepishly, elective, propelled, scowl, waddle down, rippled, wobbly

Meaningful Sentences • When Mr. Bueller asked if anyone knew French, Victor’s hand shot up confidently; but when he is asked to speak it, he looks at the teacher sheepishly. • Victor told himself with conviction that Teresa will be his girl this year, but deep down he was not sure. • Spanish was an elective class; on the other hand, math was required. • Michael would scowl to impress girls, not because he was angry. • I watch fat people waddle down the street, it boosts my self esteem. • I was sitting on a wobbly plastic chair.

I llu st r atio ns

Quiz

Characterization

What is characterization? It is the process that authors use to develop or describe a character in a story. It can be: Direct: Author describes directly what the character is like. Indirect characterization. Author uses different methods of characterization. ex: S. T. E. A. L

S. T. E. A. L • • Speech What does the character say? How does the character speak? Thoughts What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? Effect on others toward the character. What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? What do other characters say or think about the character. Actions What does the character do? How does the character behave? Looks • What does the character look like? How does the character dress? • •

Write S. T. E. A. or L on each line. __ “ I think it works” said Michael. 1 __ Mr. Bueller shuffled through the papers 2 on his desk. He smiled and hummed as he sat down to work. __ On the way to his homeroom, Victor 3 tried to scowl. He felt foolish. __ He felt awful. Teresa sat a few desks 4 away, no doubt thinking he was a fool. __ Great rosebusheds of red bloomed on 5 Victor`s cheeks.

Write S. T. E. A. or L on each line. S 1 E 2 A 3 T 4 L 5 “ I think it works” said Michael. Mr. Bueller shuffled through the papers on his desk. He smiled and hummed as he sat down to work. On the way to his homeroom, Victor tried to scowl. He felt foolish. He felt awful. Teresa sat a few desks away, no doubt thinking he was a fool. Great rosebusheds of red bloomed on Victor`s cheeks.

Direct and Indirect Characterization The people and animals in a story are the characters. Authors give you clues about what the characters are like. Think about what the writer tells you about the characters in a story. It will help you understand the story better.

Direct and Indirect Characterization Some words that authors use to describe characters directly are: bossy helpful scared brave honest happy careful kind neat friendly proud mean hard-working shy nice funny wise angry

Direct and Indirect Characterization Example: Ben helped his mother in the store. He put boxes on the shelf. He didn’t drop any boxes. Mr. Kirk left some money at the store. Ben followed him outside to give him the money. What words would you use to tell about Ben?

Direct and Indirect Characterization Example: Tippy had a bone. A bigger dog wanted it. Tippy was afraid. She stood over her bone and barked. The big dog ran away. Tippy was glad she hadn’t lost her bone. What words would you use to tell about Tippy?

Direct and Indirect Characterization Example: Amy kept her library books together on a shelf. She put away all her toys carefully. Amy was very… upset neat mean

Direct and Indirect Characterization Example: Joe’s friend Tom laughed a lot. He always had a smile on his face. Tom was a ______ person. surprised naughty happy

Direct and Indirect Characterization Example: Lisa’s little brother hid her skates under the bed. He hid her favorite book. He was being ________. calm naughty nice

Direct and Indirect Characterization Example: When Erin needed help, Mother always knew how to help. Erin’s mother was very ________. wise funny angry

Direct and Indirect Characterization Example: David read all the books about the forest that he could find. He also talked with the forest rangers to learn more. David was __________. gentle curious scared

Direct and Indirect Characterization with… Seventh Grade by Gary Soto

Seventh Grade by Gary Soto Characterization Analyze a character. How do his/her words and actions influence thoughts and/or actions of another character? Who does the author describe in each passage, Victor, Mr Bueller or Teresa? • _____ chooses not to humiliate Victor, even though he knows Victor is pretending to speak French. Based on these kind actions, Victor is relieved and considers Mr. Bueller to be “a good guy. ” Mr. Bueller’s kindness has a positive effect on Victor, who becomes motivated to do well in French. • _____ takes the opportunity of being in French class with Teresa to impress her by trying to speak French. Even though Victor feels like a fool for not being able to convince Mr. Bueller that he is speaking French, Teresa is impressed and begins a conversation with him, leading the reader to anticipate Teresa likes Victor and wants to spend time with him on a regular basis. • _____ is a person that appears to be very conscientious student. Her scholarly actions influenced the way Victor acted in school. She is good in math, she stays after class to talk to the teachers, and she reads books during homeroom. She doesn’t seem to worry about other kids calling her a “schoolgirl”. Victor is very interested in dating Teresa, and so begins to emulate some of her scholarly tendencies. He sat quietly during homeroom instead of squirming in his chair like the other kids. During lunchtime, he pretended to be quietly reading his math book instead of playing around with the other boys. Victor also took a risk by taking a French class, which was out of his comfort zone in order to impress Teresa with his French language knowledge.

Short Story Premiers

• A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose , often in narrative format.

OVERVIEW Short stories often contain structural and character elements that should be familiar to you. These elements can be used as guides to help you think about the actions, themes, and contexts of the story.

• Theme • Setting • Characters • Point of view • Characterization • Plot - exposition statement - rising action - conflict - climax - falling action - resolution

THEME • The main idea of a literary work, usually expressed as a generalization. SETTING • The time and place in which a work of literature happens.

CHARACTERS • The people (or actors) in the story. POINT OF VIEW • The story teller from whose point of view the story is being told, the narrator.

CHARACTERIZATION The description of the personalities of the characters in the story and the way in which an author reveals their personalities.

PLOT • The sequence or order of events in a story. The plot includes: - Exposition Statement - The part of the plot that tells how the story begins. - Rising Action - The action in the story leading up to the climax. - Conflict - Struggles or problems between opposing forces.

More PLOT - Climax - The point of crisis in the plot. It may be the reader’s point of highest interest. - Falling action - The action in the story after the climax is revealed. - Resolution - The part of the plot that reveals the final outcome.

PLOT DIAGRAM Climax ctio Ris in on g. A Acti n ing Fall Conflict Exposition Resolution

How to Write a Short Story by Mr. Mrtz Los Portales 2010

Definition of a Short Story Tells about a single event or experience Fictional (not true) 500 to 15, 000 words in length It has a beginning, middle, and end Creates an impression on the reader

Elements of a Short Story Setting Characterization Plot Conflict Climax Resolution Theme Point of view

Short Story Vocabulary Setting: Tells the reader where and when the story takes place.

Short Story Vocabulary Characterization: Creation of imaginary people who appear to be real to the reader. The writer gives information about the characters in the story.

Short Story Vocabulary Plot: A series of events through which the writer reveals what is happening, to whom, and why.

Short Story Vocabulary Conflict: Is a problem in the story that needs to be resolved.

Short Story Vocabulary Climax: When the action comes to its highest point of conflict.

Short Story Vocabulary Resolution: The story’s action after the climax until the end of the story. The “conclusion” of the story.

Short Story Vocabulary Theme: The story’s main ideas. The “message” the writer intends to communicate by telling the story.

Short Story Vocabulary Point of view: The position of the narrator of the story and what the writer sees from that vantage point.

Elements of a Short Story Setting Characterization Plot Conflict Climax Resolution Theme Point of view

Great writers are able to use the elements of the short story with such precision that the reader is caught up in the action of the story. This is a mark of a good story and our goal as a writer.

Take home Activity Now that we have identified and defined the elements of a short story, let us use the elements to write your own short story. Due date: Friday, April 10 - 2010

Bibliography Dinneen, K. Elements of the Short Story. Retrieved Jun. 19, 2003, from Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute: http: //www. yale. edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1983/3/83. 09. x. html Five Elements of a Story. Retrieved Jun. 19, 2003, http: //www. teachervision. com/lesson-plans/lesson-2277. html Guevin, D. Short Story Elements. Retrieved Jun. 19, 2003, http: //www. uvm. edu/~dguevin/Elements. html