Narrative Technique

Story Time:  "2 B R 0 2 B" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Snapshots and thoughtshots

JOURNAL 5:  Draft a colorful snapshot or thoughtshot that could go into your story.

Punctuating Dialogue

HOMEWORK:  Draft your story!

Self-Critique:  Monday Dec 3

Peer Critique:  Tuesday Dec 4

To Jessica:  by 8am Friday Dec 7

Characterization

JOURNAL #4:  How will you reveal your character(s)?
Answer some or all of the following questions.
1.  ACTIONS:  What will your character do that reveals who he/she is?
2.  DIALOGUE:  What will your character say?  How will they talk?
3.  PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:  What does your character look like?
4.  IDIOSYNCRASIES:  Does your character have any peculiar characteristics?
5.  OBJECTS/POSSESSIONS:  Does your character possess anything that reveals his/her character?
6.  REACTIONS:  How will your character react to the events of the plot?
7.  THOUGHTS:  What does your character think about?
8.  BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  What background info could you give your audience about your character?


SHORT STORY LEADS:  How will you begin your story?
Try to write (or re-write) the beginning of your story so that it is engaging to your reader.  See the handout in your packet for ideas on how to start your story.


Homework:  Keep drafting your story...

I love fiction, you guys...

TED Talk:  Phil Kaye, "Why We Tell Stories"

SETTING (JOURNAL #2)

Describe the story world in detail.  Consider these questions.
1.  Where does your story take place?

2.  When does it take place (past, present, future)?  What time of year is it?

3.  Describe the social environment that your character(s) live in.

4.  Describe the cultural context that your character(s) live in.

PLOT BRAINSTORM (JOURNAL #3)

Put a man up a tree. 

·         1. What is the conflict/problem that your main character is immersed in?

Throw rocks at him.

·         2. How does the problem get complicated?  What are the events that unfold?

Get him down.

·         3. How does the conflict or problem get resolved (or fail to)?

Today:  Map/Outline you story's plot.  If you do not finish in class, do so as HOMEWORK.

Let's Write Fiction!

Welcome Back!

TED Talk:  Sarah Kay, Storyteller

John Steinbeck's Advice to Beginning Writers

WRITER'S JOURNAL #1 (in comp books):
Free-write about any story ideas you have so far and/or consider the following questions:
What do you have to say to the world?
What theme would you like to reflect in your story?
What subject matter do you want to tackle?
What genre are you interested in writing in?
Where do you want to take the reader?


Story Ideas:

It is always a good idea to focus your story on a topic and/or theme that you can relate to.  Think of lessons you have learned, experiences you have had, people you have known.  A story you can personally connect with will likely be easier for you to write!  

The internet has a wealth of information and ideas that may help you get started!  Here are some resources; feel free to search on your own!

• Story Idea Generator:  http://shortstoryideas.herb.me.uk/index.html
• Short Story Ideas and Creative Writing Prompts: http://www.creative-writing-now.com/short-story-ideas.html
• Short Story Topics:  http://www.storyinstitute.com/category/storygestions/short-story-topics/

Homework:  Come to class tomorrow with a working story idea!
Brainstorm CSEPS:
Characters
Setting
Events
Problem
Solution

The Cask of Amontillado

Story Map Activity

Story Time!  "Light is Like Water" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
What are the characteristics of magical realism?

Selections from Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
1.  This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona (p. 59)
2.  The Trail of Thomas Builds-the-Fire (p. 93)
Write a one-paragraph reaction to Alexie's stories.  Discuss his use of any of the elements of fiction that we have been discussing.  Turn in the box.


Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

"Sweat"

Zora Neale Hurston

Characterization in "Sweat"

Discuss:  What is the effect of Hurston's use of dialect?

Characterization Activity

Edgar Allan Poe  "The Tell Tale Heart"

Homework:  Read "The Cask of Amontillado"

Complete Short Story Analysis

"The Yellow Wallpaper"

Questions for Group Discussion

1.  Describe the setting of “The Yellow Wallpaper.”  Identify examples in the text where the setting is particularly well-developed.  Why is the setting significant to the story?

2.  What is the narrative style of the story?  Why is this significant?

3.  How does the narrative voice change throughout the story?  Why is this significant?

4.  How is the narrator’s husband characterized?  Identify specific examples from the text that give you clues about him.  (What does he say and do?)  Why is the husband’s character significant?

5.  What is the significance of the woman in the wallpaper?

6.  How do you interpret the ending of the story?

7.  What do you think is the author’s message?

8.  Discuss:  Did you like this story?  Why or why not?

Homework:  "Sweat" by Zora Neale Hurston

Complete Short Story Analysis

"To Build a Fire"

Internal vs. External Conflict

• Internal:  competing forces within protagonist
• External: outside forces confronting the protagonist
• Often a story deals with both:  “To Build a Fire” is both

Group Activity

External: Man vs the cold

•  Make a list of phrases that establish this conflict

Internal: Man vs his own ignorance/arrogance

• Find textual evidence that establishes this conflict

       Homework:  "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

       Complete Short Story Analysis

"Harrison Bergeron"

Group Analysis:  "Harrison Bergeron"
1.  Go over your answers to the analysis worksheet.  Ensure that each member of your group understands all of the elements.  If you don't understand, get clarification.
2.  Discuss in-depth the "theme" and "message."  What do you think Vonnegut was trying to say with this story?

Watch the short film version: "2081"

Homework:  Read "To Build A Fire" by Jack London.  Complete a short story analysis.

Elements of Fiction

Handout:  Elements of Fiction

Sample Analysis of "The Lottery"


Homework:  Read and Complete Short Story Analysis for "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Informed Citizen Project Wrap
1. Edmodo Self-Assess
2. President Obama's speech (clip).  To watch the whole speech, click here.  To watch Mitt Romney's concession speech, click here.
3. Final thoughts?


Story Time!!

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

Tomorrow is Election Day!

Edmodo seminar extended through the election.  See Edmodo rubric here.

The Electoral College:  Real Clear Politics Electoral College Map

Informed Citizen Project Work Time
1. Edmodo Seminar:  all election discussion is fair game.
2. Check out electoral college and other resources on RCP.
3. Prepare for tomorrow's in-class essay.  Prewrite/Outline Today!
4.  Read The Quill and/or other news coverage of election politics.



Reflection:  My Emerging Political Identity
Write a 5-paragraph reflective essay that examines one of the following:
1)  What is your emerging political identity?  Do you tend to be liberal or conservative?  Why? In the body of your essay, explain the reasons that you are finding yourself where you do on the political spectrum (using TEA paragraphs).

2) If you could vote in this presidential election, who would you vote for and why?  In the body of your essay, explain the reasons for your decision (using TEA paragraphs).

Before you begin to write, please outline your essay!  The intro paragraph should contain a thesis statement (that answers the question), and each body paragraph should have TEA!   We will be writing the essay in class tomorrow (Tuesday).  Please get a proofread before you turn it in!  Due Wednesday at the beginning of the hour.

SLC Practice/Critique

Gather all of your notecards and evidence!

SLC Practice/Critique
1.  In groups of three, practice your entire SLC with all of your notecards and evidence.
2.  Critiquers should follow along on the rubric and "score" the presenter.  Jot down feedback on the back side of your rubric.  When the presenter is done, give them feedback verbally.  What is missing?  Where do they need more depth?  More evidence?
3.  Also, time the SLC.  If it falls very short, where could they add more to the presentation to give it more depth?


Use your extra time today to email me your self-evaluation of the Informed Citizen project and to participate in the seminar on Edmodo!