1. The Inner Beast of Man
Mini-Lessons

2. “Charles” Vocabulary
renounced – gave up
insolently – boldly disrespectful
swaggering – strutting, walking with a bold step
simultaneously – at the same time
incredulously – with doubt or disbelief
cynically – doubting the sincerity of others
maneuvered – moved in a planned way
raucous – loud and disorderly
Tia’s teacher, Mr. Acevedo, stared at her paper __. The page was covered with drawings but no words. “I have __ language,” declared Tia, “in favor of art.” Mr. Acevedo laughed, but refused to accept the paper. Tia stamped her foot __ and __ started to pout.

3. “The Lottery” Vocabulary
boisterous – loud, rowdy
defiantly – rebelliously
interminably – endlessly
jovial – good-humored
paraphernalia – gear
perfunctory – “going through the motions” without sincere interest
profusely – abundantly
reprimands – a serious criticism
surveying – examining
The __football fans loudly celebrated their team’s victory.
Bored Juan performed his chores around the house in a __ manner.
The __ long concert finally ended after 4 hours.
The rebel spit in the colonel’s face and __ refused to surrender.
The extremely high temperatures and humidity during their workout caused the runners to sweat __.

4. “The Lottery,” continued
boisterous – loud, rowdy
defiantly – rebelliously
interminably – endlessly
jovial – good-humored
paraphernalia – gear
perfunctory – “going through the motions” without sincere interest
profusely – abundantly
reprimands – a serious criticism
surveying – examining
The magician unpacked a whole suitcase of equipment, but she used very little of the __in her act.
Willie has been sulking all day and answers __ whenever you ask him a question.
After__ the situation, Coach Andrews knew that her only alternative was to send the second team into the game.
The __ man was always smiling or quietly chuckling at some joke.
If he had to choose a punishment, Chan preferred his father’s loud __ to his mother’s cold silences.

6. Mini Lesson #__ “Charles” and “The Lottery”
Guiding question: What literary devices does Jackson use to enrich her writing?

7. Foreshadowing Early clues to predict how the plot will develop:
“Charles”
Laurie had to think about the kid’s name.
Laurie’s at home behavior wasn’t angelic.
Laurie’s excuse for coming home late from school.
“The Lottery”
Kids gathering stones
“the men smiled rather than laughed”
“the quiet murmur of conversation”
“there was a hesitation before 2 men . . .
came forward
“[the Watson boy’s] eyes blinked nervously”
“[the men] grinned at one another humorlessly
and nervously’
“the Watson boy almost knocked the box over”

8. Irony A surprising, interesting, or amusing contradiction
A situation turns out to be the exact opposite of what’s expected
Situational irony: an event occurs that contradicts the expectations of the characters, the readers, or the audience
Laurie’s mom expects her “angel” to be badly influenced by Charles.
Laurie’s mom is anxious to see Charles’s mom at PTA
The “winner” of the lottery is actually the “loser.”

9. Mood
The author uses descriptions, character speech, and incidents to create the desired tone for the reader
“the fresh warmth of a full-summer day . . .flowers blossoming profusely richly green grass”
allowed the villagers to get home for noon dinner
“children . . .broke into boisterous play talked of the classroom and the teacher . . .”
“men were speaking of planting, rain, tractors, and taxes . . .”
[Jackson uses beautiful weather, routine activities, and conversation of villagers as a backdrop for a shocking conclusion.]

10. Mini-Lesson # __
Guiding question: What are the Elements of Fiction?

11. Elements of Fiction Major characters:
Characters: persons in a story, novel, poem, or play with certain qualities or personality traits that the reader discovers as the work unfolds.
Major characters:
directly influence the actions and events taking place in a story
appear frequently
have well-developed, complex personalities
protagonist: the chief character
antagonist: the rival or opponent of the protagonist

12. Plot
a series of events and actions that take place in a story
The author creates suspense by relating the events or actions in such a way that a problem is posed at or near the beginning of the story and is not finally resolved until the end

13. Plot, continued
exposition: the characters are introduced and their situation is revealed
narrative hook: the plot device that captures the reader’s attention
complications/rising action: one or more problems arise and the main character experiences conflict
climax: the story’s highest point of interest
resolution/falling action: the problems are solved and the main character deals with his conflict

14. Setting
The combination of the time and place in which the events occur

15. Tone/Mood emotional setting
the sound or mood of the narrator’s “voice”
the emotions the author expects the reader to experience

16. Theme
the main idea, central message, or lesson the author is trying to demonstrate
may be implied or stated directly
“The author is trying to show that . . .”

17. Point of View
the vantage point from which the author presents the actions of the a story
first person narrator: a character in the story is telling the story
third person narrator: an outside observer is telling the story
third person omniscient observer: this outside observer is capable of knowing all, seeing all, and telling all

18. Conflict Internal: “man against himself”
Involves the struggle between the character and his conscience

19. Conflict, continued External “man against nature”
involves the struggle between a character and elements of nature that are beyond his control
“man against technology”
involves the struggle between a character and some technological device
“man against man”
involves a direct struggle between 2 characters in the story
“man against society”
involves the struggle between a character and the rules and laws of the society in which he lives

20. “The Ransom of Red Chief” Vocabulary
diatribe: condemnation, bitter, abusive criticism
ransom: a price demanded for the return of a kidnap victim
pervade: to be present or to be spread throughout
collaborate: to work together on a project
comply: to act according to a command, request, or order
surreptitiously: in a sneaky way, secretly
palatable: acceptable to the taste; able to be eaten
proposition: a suggested plan
commend: to speak highly of; to praise
impudent: offensively bold and disrespectful
The men could not make Red Chief __ with any of Bill’s requests.
The men believed the ___ would help them start a new future.
Neither Bill nor Sam could ___ Red Chief and his behavior.
Red Chief did not want to leave the camp; he thought the food was quite ___.
Sam and Bill decided to __ in kidnapping the boy.
Sam went into town to drop off the ransom note___.
When Sam returned, Bill was exhausted and went into a __ against the entire project.
Red Chief could be described as an __ child.
The boy’s father responded with a surprising ___.
With Red Chief along, an atmosphere of chaos would gradually ____the camp.

21. “The Ransom of Red Chief”
Mini Lesson #__
“The Ransom of Red Chief”
by O. Henry
Guiding question: What literary devices does O. Henry use to enrich his writing?

22. Allusion
to refer briefly to another character in history or literature to make a comparison
Biblical allusions:
“we heard a kind of war whoop, such as David might have emitted when he knocked out the champion Goliath”
small guy conquers the big guy
“Sam, do you know who my favorite Biblical character is? King Herod”
ordered the execution of all boys in Bethlehem younger that 2 years old (Matthew 2:16)

23. Irony
a surprising contrast between what is expected and what actually exists or happens2 kinds: situational and verbal
Verbal irony:
“a town as flat as a flannel-cake called Summit”
summit means “highest point”
“a tender lambkin”
Johnny is the opposite
Situational irony:
“the boy catches Bill neatly in the eye with a piece of brick”
you would expect the boy to run away or approach shyly
“I never had such fun in all my life”
you expect a kidnap victim to miserable
“I’ll take you straight home. Now, are you going to be good?”
Sam is threatening to take him home as punishment

24. “The Lady or the Tiger?” Vocabulary
exuberant – vigorous and unrestrained
valor – courage, bravery
assert – to put forward in a forceful or insistent way
decree - an official order
procure – to obtain or acquire
doleful – sad, mournful
subordinate – less important or lower in rank, secondary
retribution – punishment for bad behavior
imperious – proud, overbearing
destiny – an unavoidable lot in life, fate
moiety – half, portion
damsels – young women, maidens
Synonyms or Antonyms???
exuberant enthusiastic
valor cowardice
assert declare
procure lose
subordinate primary
retribution punishment
imperious humble
destiny fate
decree proclamation
doleful happy

25. “The Kitten” vocabulary
tenement – ghetto housing
porter – someone paid to carry bags
lurk –to stay in/about a place secretly
timidly – shyly
bloated – swollen
remote – distant
plaintively –sadly
irked – annoyed
literal – meant to be taken “word for word”
gaped –to open the mouth
crouched – to stoop or bend down
rash – spoken in anger
sensibilities –the ability someone has to feel emotions
spawned –produced
horde-group
spade – small shovel
groped – felt for (with your hands)
menacing – threatening, scary
reproachful-full of blame or disapproval

26. Mini Lesson # __ “The Kitten” by Richard Wright
GQ: What literary devices
does Wright use to enrich
his writing?

27. Point of View
First person narration: the story is told from the point of view of a character in the story
“Charles”  Laurie’s mom
“The Kitten”  Richard

28. Point of view, continued
It is through the eyes of the character that the story unfolds; we learn information only as the character learns it
Advantage: we know intimate details only a participant could know
Disadvantage: we (like the character) get overly involved and lose our objectivity

29. The Tell-Tale Heart Vocabulary
acute – sharp, keen
conceived – thought of
vex – to disturb, annoy
stifled – smothered
dissimulation – a hiding of one’s true feelings
sagacity – sound judgment, intelligence
death watches – deathwatch beetles—wood-burrowing insects that make a tapping sound with their heads
crevice – crack
stealthily – cautiously, secretly
hellish tattoo – awful drumming
waned – approached its end
scantlings – small wooden beams supporting the floor
suavity – smooth courteousness
reposed – rested
gesticulations – arm or hand gestures
dissemble – pretend
audacity – shameless daring or boldness
vehemently – with intense emotion
derision – ridicule
hypocritical – false or deceptive, pretending to be something you’re not

30. The Tell-Tale Heart, continued
Look for the unrelated word:
fearlessness, timidity, cowardice, audacity
insincere, hypocritical, genuine, phony
crest, crevice, crack, cranny
please, vex, gratify, delight
stifled, muffled, smothered, heightened
ridicule, derision, appreciation, insult
passively, weakly, vehemently, calmly
acute, dull, insensitive, faint
carelessly, quietly, stealthily, cautiously
forgotten, imagined, conceived, formed

31. Mini Lesson #___ “Birthday Ritual: A Grave Tradition”
G?: What is the typical structure for front pages of most newspapers?
banner or flag: the name of the newspaper usually set off by size, color, special type, or some other design feature
headline: a short, attention-getting title
byline: the name of the reporter
dateline: where a story takes place

32. Mini Lesson # __ G?: What makes a news story a news story?
may be a headline article (state, national, or international topic )
may be a local article (community, town, or city topic)
tone fact-based (not opinions), professional, impersonal, detached
Use justified margins (don’t left align, right align, or center)
the lead paragraph answers
Who was involved?
What happened?
When?
Where?
How did it happen?
Why was the event important?
The remaining paragraphs fill in details

33. Rubric for “Evil Machine”
Design an Instrument of Measurement
Samples: ruler, compass, scales, gauge, speedometer, measuring cup, thermometer, tape measure, dart board, sports field, report card, graph, price tags, grade book, watch/clock, graduated cylinders, etc.
Select a “catchy” title
Compare all 6 characters to show their relative “evilness”
Provide at least 25 bullets of support (total)
attractive appearance
reflection sheet

34. The Inner Beast of Man Laurie in “Charles”
the community in “The Lottery”
the king or the princess in “The Lady or the Tiger?”
The narrator of “The Tell-Tale Heart”
Richard in “The Kitten”
Johnny in “The Ransom of Red Chief”