Elements of Fiction Quiz

Stories, stories.... and, gossip!

1) How did it go yesterday? Let's go over the "Harrison Bergeron" questions.

2) Notes on Point of View and Theme.

3) Heads down, Hands up Survey: Have you heard any gossip today? Have you heard any gossip this week? Have you ever spread gossip? Have you ever spread gossip that was not true in order to hurt someone? Have you ever been the victim of untrue gossip? Have you ever been the victim of true gossip? Should gossip be trusted?

4) Next Story: "The Possibility of Evil." p. 163

Questions #1-5

5) Marked assignments - Portfolios and rubrics.

Can there be equality?

1) Define Connotation - Any idea, word, meaning suggested by a thing. 

2) What are the connotations of the word, equality?

(In other words, what other words, ideas, meanings come to mind when you think of the word Equality?) As a group, discuss the word, and create a brainstorm of all the connotations on the board. Put the word in a circle and see what you all connect to it. Each student should walk up and write down at least one word.

3) Today's Story: "Harrison Bergeron" - find it in your textbook. Teacher can read half or more of the story. Students can read the rest.

4) Questions for your consideration. DUE TOMORROW. Use the glossary of terms at the back of the textbook to help you.

1. This story is a dystopia - a genre of literature which presents a world, a setting, where the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror. Describe why this world is bad. Use a couple of quotes to support your answer.
2. What is the tone of this story? (The overall feeling or mood) - pick a couple of words as an answer.
3.  In your opinion, what does it mean to be equal? Does being equal mean that everyone must be the same? What do you feel is Vonnegut's view on equality? 
4. When Harrison Bergeron is completely free from his handicaps, he defies the laws of gravity and motion. What might Vonnegut be suggesting about the potential of free human beings?  
5. In old, traditional stories, the hero is a superhuman figure, who "saves" people from an enemy. In what passages is Harrison superhuman? 
6. Is competition good, bad, or a little of both? Why do you feel that way?
7.  Imagine you are the Handicapper General. How would you hinder the talents of the following individuals: Brett Favre, Albert Einstein, Brad Pitt and Beyonce Knowles.  
8. What ideas or programs in North American society do you think Vonnegut might be ridiculing (making fun of) in "Harrison Bergeron"?  
9. What is the point of view in this story?
10. What are the conflicts?

First Literary Analysis Response

1) Return first assignment - discuss and review... place in portfolio. What are these 6 point scales?

2) Anyone want to go to Bard on the Beach?

2) Literary Analysis Paragraph - The Character of Mitch.

Topic: In a well-developed paragraph explain how Mitch, in DW Wilson's "Don't Touch the Ground," is a round character. (In other words, describe Mitch's conflicting character traits.) 

This response should be in third person, and formal in tone. Include and integrate into your sentences at least 4 short quotations that support your main idea.


The thesis will contain the title of the story and author's name. The thesis is the most important sentence - show me you best critical thinking!

See the sample here.

Don't forget our ever expanding style checklist:

• Sentence Variety
• Elevated Vocabulary
• Avoid Contractions
• No slang
• Avoid cliches
• Minimal use of be verbs and passive voice

Getting Into The Elements of DTTG

1) Group Discussion Question - a little something to wake up the brain...

• Who can remind us what happened in "Don't Touch the Ground? Tell us the PLOT but in short form. No judging or critiquing the central character (yet)... just give us the "First this happened and then that happened..." and so on and so on.
• Text to Self connections - as you read/listened, did you find yourself thinking of things/people in your own lives. What? Who? Why?
• Why is Mitch all that? What do you like about this kid? What are you not so sure about him?

2) The Elements of Fiction:

How is a short film like a short story? What do we learn about character, point of view, conflict, etc... from Pixar?

 

3) Story Structure Handout and Notes

Certain types of characters appear in many stories.  They are:

<  The protagonist is the central character (person, animal, or personified object) in the plot's conflict.

<  The antagonist is the force in conflict with the protagonist. It may be society, nature, or fate, as well as another person. It can also be the protagonist's own self, if he or she has an internal conflict.

<  A character foil is a character whose traits are in direct contrast to those of the principal character. The foil therefore highlights the traits of the protagonist. The foil is usually a minor character, although if there are two protagonists, they may be foils of each other.

Also:

- A Flat Character is one dimensional, only has one character trait.
Ex. Lengel, the store manager is conservative.
- A Stock Character or Stereotyped Character is one of a type that we all recognize - the nerd, the jock, the grumpy boss. Yup, Lengel is also an example of a Stereotype.
- A Static Character is a character that does not change. Ex. You guessed it... Lengel.

- Sammy is a round and dynamic character because he has many character traits and he changes over the course of the story; he has an epiphany. An epiphany is a moment of sudden realization.

4) Your Other Task:

Illustrate the Elements of Fiction in the story... Handout...

Lollipops, Setting, and First Story.

1) Alliteration:

The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of 

sounds at the beginning of words that are close together. 



Ex. Lovely Lemon Lollipops 


or maybe... a Survival Sucker





2) Character

Indirect vs. direct presentation.

3) Introducing "Don't Touch the Ground", by DW Wilson

• Is it ever right to do something wrong?
• How do we decide what is good?
• What is the morality? 
• What is good character?

4) Reading... the rest of the story you can read for weekend homework.

5) Time to finish and hand in first paragraph.

Paradox and First Writing Sample

1) Finish 6 word introductions.

2) What is a Paradox? 

• Paradox: a statement whose two parts seem contradictory yet make sense with more thought.

"The more choice and freedom we have, the more miserable we are." The Jean Store example.

3) Vices and Virtues Chart

What is your light? What is your darkness?

4) First Formal Writing Sample: develop, write and publish an 8 - 12 sentence paragraph that describes how you are paradoxical.

• First person and informal.
• Your challenge is to use your very best words (elevated vocabulary) and sophisticated sentence variety. 
• See my sample here.

5) Introduction to Netbooks - sweet little babies... don't drop 'em, don't shake 'em, don't eat on 'em.

6) Tomorrow: first story

Welcome to English 10!

1) The Epic Outline

2) Bad Cattitude...In other words, do not behave like these two cats during class time.


3) Your Six Words.... petals and then sharing...

4) Any Paradoxes? Vices and virtues? What is a paradox? How are you paradoxical?

5) Homework: write an introduction to me. 8-12 sentence paragraph. Show me your very best writing.