Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

English 9: Realistic Contemporary Fiction Genre Study

Unit Objective: At the end of this unit, you will be able to 1. identify a central theme in Romiette and Julio and your independent novel and 2. identify how the authors use character as a literary element to develop those themes.

Genre Study Objective: At the end of the realistic contemporary fiction genre study, you will have read the novel Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper and you will have read several of your own independent RCF novels. You will also write a literary analysis essay in response to the following prompt: What is the most defining literary element in the realistic contemporary fiction genre (character/setting/ plot)? Why? Use evidence from the core text and your independent novels to support your response.

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Unit 1: Character & Theme

Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Unit 1: Vocabulary Awareness ChartWord Part of Speech Definition

disoriented

flamboyant

barren

incredulously

flounder

derision

agitate

contentment

lilt

demented

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Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Unit 1 Vocabulary PracticeYour assignment: Practice using your words by completing ONE of the following activities. 1) Draw a visual representation of five of the vocab words. Be sure to label each word. OR 2) Use five vocab words in an original sentence (one sentence per word). Underline or highlight the vocab words. OR 3) Write a brief story/character sketch/setting description using five vocab words. Underline or highlight the vocab words.

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Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Reader Response JournalDate & Focus Element:

What are you reading? (title & pages)

Response:

Thought Starters

I noticed… I wonder… I think… I realized… I feel… I predict… I’m surprised that… I’d like to know… If I were… A connection I made was… A character I like/dislike… The central issue(s) is (are)

… I agree/ disagree with… I was reminded of … I am confused about …

Date & Focus Element:

What are you reading? (title & pages)

Response:

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Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Reader Response JournalDate & Focus Element:

What are you reading? (title & pages)

Response:

Thought Starters

I noticed… I wonder… I think… I realized… I feel… I predict… I’m surprised that… I’d like to know… If I were… A connection I made was… A character I like/dislike… The central issue(s) is (are)

… I agree/ disagree with… I was reminded of … I am confused about …

Date & Focus Element:

What are you reading? (title & pages)

Response:

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Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Character TrackerRomiette & Julio

1. Who seems like an important character? (name) 2. What type of character is he/she? (protagonist/ antagonist/ supporting)? 3. What is this character like? (description)

Important quotation revealing character (with proper citation):

Why is this quotation important? What does it show readers about the importance of the character?

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Characters include the protagonist (main character who experiences the central conflict), the antagonist (force/character who creates conflict for the protagonist), and supporting characters such as sidekick, mentor/advisor, etc.

Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Character TrackerRomiette & Julio

1. Who seems like an important character? (name) 2. What type of character is he/she? (protagonist/ antagonist/ supporting)? 3. What is this character like? (description)

Important quotation revealing character (with proper citation):

Why is this quotation important? What does it show readers about the importance of the character?

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Characters include the protagonist (main character who experiences the central conflict), the antagonist (force/character who creates conflict for the protagonist), and supporting characters such as sidekick, mentor/advisor, etc.

Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Character TrackerIndependent Novel

1. Who seems like an important character? (name) 2. What type of character is he/she? (protagonist/ antagonist/ supporting)? 3. What is this character like? (description)

Important quotation revealing character (with proper citation):

Why is this quotation important? What does it show readers about the importance of the character?

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Characters include the protagonist (main character who experiences the central conflict), the antagonist (force/character who creates conflict for the protagonist), and supporting characters such as sidekick, mentor/advisor, etc.

Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Character TrackerIndependent Novel

1. Who seems like an important character? (name) 2. What type of character is he/she? (protagonist/ antagonist/ supporting)? 3. What is this character like? (description)

Important quotation revealing character (with proper citation):

Why is this quotation important? What does it show readers about the importance of the character?

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Characters include the protagonist (main character who experiences the central conflict), the antagonist (force/character who creates conflict for the protagonist), and supporting characters such as sidekick, mentor/advisor, etc.

Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

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Character IcebergBook _______________________________________________________ Character ____________________________________________

Why did the author choose/create this character? How does this character relate to an important topic/issue/theme in the book?

Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

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Character IcebergBook _______________________________________________________ Character ____________________________________________

Why did the author choose/create this character? How does this character relate to an important topic/issue/theme in the book?

Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Statement of ThemeTheme in Romiette and Julio

Theme: What is a lesson/message/point/theme/moral that you can infer from the book so far?

Connection to Literary Element:Which character most helps the author develop this theme?

How does this character relate to/connect with/help develop the theme?

Supporting Evidence: Find two quotes that best show this character’s connection to the theme.Quote #1 Quote #2

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The theme of a text is a message about life or human nature that the author wants to communicate with the reader. It is written as a complete statement. Avoid first or second person pronouns, as well as commands. Strive for original wording and avoid clichés/overused themes.

Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Statement of ThemeTheme in Independent Novel

Theme: What is a lesson/message/point/theme/moral that you can infer from the book so far?

Connection to Literary Element:Which character most helps the author develop this theme?

How does this character relate to/connect with/help develop the theme?

Supporting Evidence: Find two quotes that best show this character’s connection to the theme.Quote #1 Quote #2

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The theme of a text is a message about life or human nature that the author wants to communicate with the reader. It is written as a complete statement. Avoid first or second person pronouns, as well as commands. Strive for original wording and avoid clichés/overused themes.

Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

Character Generalizations

What is true about PROTAGONISTS in the realistic contemporary fiction genre?

What is true about ANTAGONISTS in the realistic contemporary fiction genre?

What is true about SUPPORTING CHARACTERS in the realistic contemporary fiction genre?

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To generalize means to make a general or broad statement about something. For example, it’s a generalization to say dogs chase squirrels.

Name: _________________________________________________ Class Period: ____________________ Date: ________________________

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