Inside Stories I Short Stories Unit Grade 9

Inside Stories I Short Stories Unit – Grade 9

Notes on: PLOT The plot is the sequence of events in a story. It has a beginning middle and end Short stories usually only have one plot so they can be read in one sitting. Plot has five essential elements: 1. Introduction/Exposition: The beginning of the story where characters and setting are revealed Gives background information 2. Rising Action: The conflict of the story is revealed. The plot begins to get complicated or thicken. The longest portion of the plot.

3. Climax The highest point of interest in the story. The turning point in the action. The reader wonders what will happen next. Will the conflict be resolved? 4. Falling Action The events or complications begin to be resolved. The reader knows whether or not the conflict has been resolved. 5. Resolution/Denouement: The final outcome of the story. The tying of loose ends.

Notes on: CONFLICT Conflict is essential to plot. Without a conflict, there can be no plot. Conflict is a struggle between two or more characters or forces. It usually involves the protagonist. There are four types of conflict: Character Vs. Character (external conflict) The protagonist struggles with another person, animal or force of nature. Character Vs. Circumstances (external/internal conflict) The protagonist struggles with fate, or the circumstances facing him/her. Character Vs. Society (external/internal conflict) The protagonist struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people. Character Vs. Himself/Herself (internal conflict) The protagonist struggles within himself/herself with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc…

The Sea Devil by Arthur Gordon 1. Vocabulary: ebb mullet circumference quiver simultaneously equilibrium abruptly gauntly imminent phosphorescence loomed convulsively 2. Read “The Sea Devil” on page 32 -41. 3. Answer questions 1 -5 (pg 41) in full sentences.

Notes on: SETTING The location where a story takes place. Sometimes the setting is very important to a story, whereas other times it is not. There are many aspects of setting such as: Place: Geographical location Time: Historical time period, time of the day, or year. Weather Conditions: Is it sunny? Rainy? Mood: What is the feeling created by the story? How do you feel?

Notes on: THEME The author’s underlying meaning or main idea that is trying to be conveyed. The theme may be the author’s thoughts about a topic or a view of human nature. The theme is not usually directly stated. The reader must infer from the events of the story what theme is. Some simple themes: love is blind, believe in yourself, people are afraid of change.

THE VELDT by Ray Bradbury 1. Vocabulary: Psychologist Exquisite Sedative Insufferable veldt instinctively remarkable paranoia 2. Read “The Veldt” on pages 100 -115. admiration efficiently lingering engrossed

The Veldt Answer the following questions in full sentences: 1. Who do the characters of Peter and Wendy remind you of? 2. Will artificial environments such as the nursery be possible in the future? 3. Reread the story locating three details that suggest a futuristic setting. How does the setting influence the characters’ lives? 4. Describe the goals and motivation of Peter and Wendy. What will they likely do with David? Why? 5. What foreshadowing is there of George and Lydia’s fate? Give examples of the ways in which they have treated their children badly. 6. In a paragraph, write about Bradbury’s view of technology and the nature of children.

The Veldt: Room Design your own futuristic room. You may include anything you can imagine in your room. No computer imaging, but legend may be typed. Criteria: - Smallest paper size has to be 8 ½ X 14; if you want to do something in a 3 D version you are allowed - Futuristic design - Legend (including at least 10 entries with descriptions) - Creative/orginal - Neatness/colour

Notes on: CHARACTER All stories have at least one character. 1. Protagonist: The main character in the story. Does not have to be the ‘good guy. ’ 2. Antagonist: A character who causes problems for the protagonist Does not have to be the ‘bad guy. ’ 3. Static Character: A character who does not change or grow throughout the story. Minor characters are often static.

4. Dynamic Character: A character who changes, learns something, or grows in some way throughout the course of the story. The protagonist is often a dynamic character. 5. Flat Character: A one dimensional character who usually has only one trait. An example of this is a stereotyped character 6. Round Character: A character with many traits. The protagonist is often a round character.

THE PARSLEY GARDEN by William Sorayan 1. Vocabulary monotony humiliated pleasantly possessed systematically 2. Read pg. 71 -79 3. Answer questions #1 -5 on pg. 79 in full sentences.

Notes on: POINT OF VIEW The point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. The person telling the story is the narrator. There are three main points of view: 1. First Person: We thoughts, feelings, and motivations of only one character. We see the story through this person’s eyes. The narrator uses the pronouns I, me, and we. 2. Omniscient (Third Person): The god-like perspective We see thoughts, feelings, and motivations of many characters. The narrator uses the pronouns he, she, they, etc… 3. Limited Omniscient (Third Person): We see thoughts, feelings, and motivations of selected characters that the author or the narrator chooses to show us. The narrator uses the pronouns he, she, they, etc…

BARNEY by Will Stanton 1. Vocabulary Malice monastic Insurmountable condone flimsiest antagonism commencing facilitate 2. Read pg. 211 -213. 3. Answer questions #1, 2, 3 & 6 on page 214 in full sentences.

BARNEY COMIC After reading the short story “Barney” by Will Stanton, create a comic detailing the story. Ensure you cover the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement. You will need to decide how many squares you will need for each part of the story. When designing your comic, keep in mind the point of view, and the camera angle. How will you want to depict each event? How can you make it most effective? What will you emphasize? Through whose eyes will we see each frame? What are the most important events?