1. Characters SPI 0701.8.6 I can identify how the author reveals character. Textbook pg 128-130

2. Types of Characters  Major characters  Minor characters  Antagonists  Protagonists

3. Characterization  A writer reveals what a character is like and how the character changes throughout the story.  Two primary methods of characterization: Direct- writer tells what the character is like Direct- writer tells what the character is like Indirect- writer shows what a character is like by describing what the character looks like, by telling what the character says and does, and by what other characters say about and do in response to the character. Indirect- writer shows what a character is like by describing what the character looks like, by telling what the character says and does, and by what other characters say about and do in response to the character.

4. Direct Characterization … And I don’t play the dozens or believe in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances even if I’m a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice, which is how I got the name Squeaky. From “Raymond’s Run” by T. Bambara

5. Indirect Characterization The old man bowed to all of us in the room. Then he removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully. Chaplin once did that in a picture, in a bank--he was the janitor. From “Gentleman of Rio en Medio” by J. Sedillo

6. Factors in Analyzing Characters  Physical appearance of character  Personality  Background/personal history  Motivation  Relationships  Conflict  Does character change?

7. How does an author reveal character? What the author tells us What the characters say about him/her What the character does What the character says What the character thinks

8. How does an author show what a character is like? Appearance  Does the character have laugh lines?  How is the character dressed? Action  John danced around the room singing to the music. Speech  “I don’t have to do what you say!”

9. How does an author show what a character is like? Thoughts & Feelings  You read what the character is thinking  “Julie wanted to cry when she saw the stray cat” Other characters’ reaction  What do other characters think about this character?  What do they say about him/her?  If a character is negative about everyone, you may learn more about him/her than others.

10. Protagonist The main character in a story is called the protagonist. She or he is always involved in the main conflict and its resolution.

11. Antagonist The person opposing the protagonist is called the antagonist. The character that causes or leads the conflict against the protagonist is called the antagonist. The antagonist is not always human, but can be a group or force as well. The character that causes or leads the conflict against the protagonist is called the antagonist. The antagonist is not always human, but can be a group or force as well.

13. Theme SPI 0701.8.5 I can identify the stated or implied theme of a literary text. Textbook pg 236-238

14. Theme Is the truth about life that you discover from reading the story

15. What is it not? Theme is not…  The plot  The topic of the story

16. Theme  A central message, concern, or insight into life expressed through a literary work  Can be expressed by one or two sentence statement about human beings or about life  May be stated directly or implied  Interpretation uncovers the theme

17. Stated or Implied Theme Most themes are implied rather than directly stated by an author. When the theme is implied, the reader must figure out what the theme is by looking carefully at what the work reveals about people, about the relationships between people, and about life.

18. How can I find the theme? How has the main character changed over the course of the story? What has he/she discovered by the end of the story? What scenes or passages strike you as especially important to the story? What ideas about life do they suggest?

19. How can I find the theme? What is the story’s title? Does it reveal anything special about the story? What lesson did the character(s) learn? How can I apply this to real life?

20. Which one is theme? A family travels to Alabama and faces hardships along the way. Prejudice Facing your fears is the only way to overcome them. Happiness can be found in the joys of ordinary life.

21. Explore theme and plot Read “Hearts and Hands” by O. Henry Pages 239-242 Identify the..  Plot  Topic  Theme

22. Words to Know Major Character Minor Character Antagonists Protagonists

24. Identify Characters List all the characters from “Duffy’s Jacket” Identify what the type of each character Major or minor Protagonist or Antagonist How did the author reveal their character?