SETTING CONTEXT CORE Genre Apprentice SETTING CONTEXT Remember

SETTING CONTEXT CORE: Genre Apprentice

SETTING CONTEXT Remember that you need to write about 3 -5 sentences in a “context” section prior to the start of your actual story/play excerpt. Here’s what you need: q Indication of the elements of truth that establish the backdrop for your story (whether it’s about a real person, an event, a disaster, a trial, etc. ) q Information for the reader about what may have happened prior to the start of your story (remember that you are writing just an excerpt of what presumably could be a longer piece) q Identification of your narrator (if it’s told in first person, who is the “I” narrator? ) If you write a play excerpt, you also need a cast of characters with a brief explanation of who they are

MODEL CONTEXT-short story • Truth elements • Story prior to this excerpt • narrator Context: On May 31, 1889, a catastrophic flood that decimated the town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania led it to be called the Great Flood of 1889. The waters of Lake Conemaugh breached the walls of the South Fork Dam as a result of a powerful storm that dropped six to ten inches of rain in a 24 -hour period. Unlike many other minor floods that plagued Johnstown, the water from the Great Flood of 1889 moved into the valley “with the force of Niagara Falls” as a wall of water 50 feet high enveloped the town. The flood ripped buildings off their foundations and caused roughly 2, 200 people to perish as a result. Friedrich and his Aunt are two immigrants who had members of their family vanish in the Johnstown Flood. In the story, they are witness to a court proceeding involving the victims of the flood placing charges upon the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club for poor maintenance of the South Fork Dam’s walls. Friedrich recounts part of the court proceedings and the ultimate verdict.

MODEL CONTEXT-short story • Truth elements • Story prior to this excerpt • narrator Context: On December 7, 1941, the American Naval Base in Pearl Harbor was brutally attacked by Japanese fighter planes. The Japanese had prospects on expanding their empire into Asia, and in order to do so, Japan needed to distract the United States. Instead of weakening America, the attack on Pearl Harbor led to a rise of unyielding nationalism throughout the United States. During the brutality, many individuals distinguished themselves and rose above the call of duty. Doris Miller was an African American man who was confined to working as a mess man on board the U. S. S. Arizona. Due to the color of his skin, Miller was told he would never be able to fight for his country alongside his fellow Americans. However, he finds his true calling in the Navy on one infamous day: December 7, 1941. He tells his story of how a moment changed him forever.

MODEL CONTEXT-play CAST of characters in the scene Nora O’Malley: mother Seamus O’Malley: father Eileen O’Malley: one of the sick O’Malley twins Nancy O’Malley: the other sick O’Malley twin Dr. Harvey: physician Martin: one of the 3 O’Malley boys • Truth elements • Story prior to this excerpt • Narrator (not needed here since it’s a play) CONTEXT: The O’Malley parents are Irish immigrants now living in Philadelphia in 1918. They have five young children: three boys followed by the mother’s long-awaited twin girls. People have been talking about the recent cases of flu; some have gone to a sanitarium while others have died. Nora, though, has been adamant that she takes good care of her large, healthy family. Just recently, though, her twins have begun to exhibit symptoms of illness…