Characterization and Elements of a

Short Storyby Mr.Mrtz

• 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

Topic: Seventh Grade by Gary Soto

• 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?

•Bustled, conviction, uncertainly,

sheepishly, elective, propelled,

scowl,waddle down, rippled, wobbly

Vocabulary Power Review

• 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.

Meaningful Sentences

Illus

trat

ions

Qui

z

Characterization

It is the process that authors use to develop or describe a character in astory.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

What is characterization?

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?

__1

“ I think it works” said Michael.

__ 2

Mr.Bueller shuffled through the papers on his desk. He smiled and hummed as he sat down to work.

__3

On the way to his homeroom, Victor tried to scowl. He felt foolish.

__ 4

He felt awful. Teresa sat a few desks away, no doubt thinking he was a fool.

__5

Great rosebusheds of red bloomed on Victor`s cheeks.

Write S.T.E.A. or L on each line.

S1

“ I think it works” said Michael.

E 2

Mr.Bueller shuffled through the papers on his desk. He smiled and hummed as he sat down to work.

A3

On the way to his homeroom, Victor tried to scowl. He felt foolish.

T 4

He felt awful. Teresa sat a few desks away, no doubt thinking he was a fool.

L5

Great rosebusheds of red bloomed on Victor`s cheeks.

Write S.T.E.A. or L on each line.

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 scaredbrave honest happycareful kind neatfriendly proud meanhard-working shy nicefunny 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

Direct and Indirect Characterization

with… Seventh Grade

by Gary Soto

Seventh Grade by Gary SotoCharacterizationAnalyze a character. How do his/her words and actions influence the 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.

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.

OVERVIEW

• Theme• Setting• Characters• Point of view• Characterizati

on

• 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

Risin

g Ac

tion Falling Action

Resolution

Climax

Exposition

Conflict

How to Write a Short Storyby Mr. MrtzLos Portales

2010

Definition of a Short StoryTells about a single event or experience Fictional (not true)500 to 15,000 words in lengthIt has a beginning, middle, and endCreates an impression on the reader

Elements of a Short Story

SettingCharacterizationPlotConflictClimaxResolutionThemePoint of view

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SettingCharacterizationPlotConflictClimaxResolutionThemePoint of view

Elements of a Short Story

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.

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

Take home Activity

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/1983/3/83.03.09.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