Guided Note-taking

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Standard: R3.2, 3.4

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Objective: Learn the terms and methods that we will be using to study short stories.

 It is a work of fiction  Fiction is any writing that comes from a writer’s imagination ▪ Can be inspired by actual events ▪ Can be completely made up   Is usually created through the use of vivid details that we recognize or move us in some way Short stories are fictional narratives that can generally be read in a single sitting

    Short Story  Usually revolves around a single idea  Is short enough to be read in one sitting Novel  Involves a more complicated plot  A longer work Novella  Bridges the gap between novels and short stories Drama

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Plot Characters Setting Theme

     Plot is another name for the sequence of events in a story It is the writer’s plan for what happens Usually it is built around a central conflict A conflict is a struggle involving two or more opposing forces Plot complications are events or problems that arise and make it more difficult to resolve the conflict

    Exposition Rising Action (includes Conflict) Climax Falling Action / Resolution

 Exposition  Characters are introduced ▪ Characters are the people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in the action of a story  The setting is given ▪ Time ▪ Place  Necessary background information is provided.

 Rising Action  Includes the conflict and everything that happens next.

 Complications are introduced  Suspense builds  The plot “thickens” as the central conflict begins to unfold  Every event that leads up to the next stage of plot development, the climax.

 Climax  The “high” point of the plot  It is the greatest point of interest or suspense in the entire story  It is also called the “turning point” ▪ Everything before leads up to it ▪ Everything after results from it  Often leads to the resolution of the conflict.

 Can also result in a change in the characters

     Everything that occurs after the climax Explains how the conflict was resolved Ties up all loose ends The story comes to a close May contain a message that is relevant to the story

  We will use two different methods for mapping out the series of events in a story Both methods have a different focus  A Flow Map focuses on placing the events in a story in their chronological order  A Plot Graph focuses on the stages of plot development

First Event Next Event Next Event Next Event Next Event Final Event

Exposition First Event Rising Action Next Event Conflict Next Event Climax Next Event Rising Action Next Event Falling Action Final Event

Exposition First Event Conflict Next Event Rising Action Next Event Rising Action Next Event Climax Next Event Falling Action Final Event YOU CAN (AND SHOULD) HAVE MORE THAN 6 BOXES!!!!!

Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution Conflict

 There are three types of characters:  The events of a story usually focus on one central or main character  Characters that have a central role, but are not the main character are called major characters  Other less important characters are called minor characters  Another way of defining characters is either static or

dynamic.

 Static characters do not change over the course of the plot  Dynamic characters change over the course of the plot

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A story’s setting is the time and place in which the action of the story happens Place  The location that the story takes place  Can be real or imaginary Time  Past, present, future  Time era Culture and customs are also considered part of the setting

The setting can have a profound effect on the characters and the plot

   The theme is the meaning, moral or message about life that the writer conveys to the reader The theme is usually not directly stated but is revealed by one or more of the following  The title of the story  Important phrases and statements about ideas like courage, freedom, love, fate, etc.

 The ways characters change and the lessons they learn about life Many stories can share the same theme but may treat it differently