SHORT STORIES Prior knowledge Connecting something new to

SHORT STORIES

� Prior knowledge

� Connecting something new to something you already knew

� predictions

� Using your knowledge and evidence presented to you to make an estimated guess as to what the next actions will be in a story

� inferences

� � Using the evidences presented to you to determine the meaning of something (word, phrase, underlying meaning)

Content of a Dead Man’s Pocket � P. 117

Author information � � � Jack Finney (1911 -1995) Worked in advertising Won a contest for a short story, his dream Blended realistic and imaginary details into tales of time travel

Background for story � � � Set in the 1950’s No computers or photocopiers Used carbon paper- which this story is about (black-coated sheets that transfer written or typed marks onto blank paper below

The Big Question � In “Contents of a Dead Man’s Pocket, ” a man’s perception of reality shifts because of a terrifying experience. He discovers the truth about his life and his priorities. Use this sentence starter to develop your ideas about the Big Question. � Life-threatening situations may cause people to evaluate _____ because _______. � While you read, look for moments when the main character experiences changes in his understanding of reality or truth.

Prior knowledge- anticipation guide � � � What most people do for work is the most important part of their lives. We all struggle when making decisions. An action we take today will not have much of an effect on our lives in the future. People should take risks in their lives. Competition helps people perform their best.

Vocabulary � P. 116 � Convoluted � Verified � Deftness � Imperceptibly � Reveling � Interminable

� � � P. 119 Why has Tom decided to stay at home? What internal conflict of Tom’s does this paragraph show?

� � � P. 118 Cause: Tom wanted to get some work done so he could get recognized, promoted, and a pay raise Effect: Tom’s wife went to theater, and he had internal conflict about whether to go or not

� � � P. 120 Cause: The door does not close right away. An air current suddenly rushes into the room, creating a force that lifts papers off Tom’s desk. The yellow paper makes its way to the window ledge before the current dies, and then the paper disappears outside. Effect: the paper floats off the desk

� � � P. 122 Cause: Without the information on the paper and the proposal it supports, Tom believes that he will not get a chance to rise to the top of his company because it will take too long to duplicate his work. Effect: Tom goes after the paper

� � P. 122 Cause: Hopes it will make people at the office notice him and, at the same time, add importance to his grocery store display proposal Effect: Tom hopes the story of his adventure will affect listeners

� � � P. 125 Cause: Tom’s glimpse of the avenue below Effect: He begins to tremble, and he feels his blood rush from his skin. He jerks upright. His head scrapes against the wall, and bounces off it, and he almost falls off the ledge. Then he clings more strongly to the indentions in the wall.

� � � P. 126 Cause: Tom is afraid that the things he imagines will happen if he does not move, so he forces himself not to think about anything but moving along the ledge. Effect: Tom begins moving