Short Stories About the authors Literary terms Story Plot

About the Author  Gary Soto  Born in 1952  Grew up in Fresno, California in a Mexican-American community  Writes poems, essays, and novels  He also teaches and has won many awards “Seventh Grade”

Story Plot

Story Plot for “Seventh Grade”  1. Victor took French because the girl he likes took it.  2. Michael showed off his scowl to impress the girls.  2. Teresa said hi to Victor and he said, “Yeah, that’s me”.  2. Victor said, “Theresa” when Mr. Lucas asked Victor for an example of a noun.  2. Theresa smiled at Victor at lunch.  2. Victor pretended to know how to speak French to impress Theresa.  3. Mr. Bueller knew that Victor didn’t know French but did not embarrass him in front of Theresa.  4. Mr. Bueller remembered the time he pretended to be rich in college to impress a girl.  4. Teresa asked Victor to help her with her French.  5. Victor checked out three textbooks and decided that it was going to be a great year.

Setting – where and when the story occurred  Where?  When?

Protagonist  the main character in a story, novel, drama, or other literary work Antagonist the character who works against the main character.

Theme – the big idea, the message or moral of the story  Possible themes:  Crime doesn’t pay  Friendship sometimes means sacrifice  Family is important  Do not act like someone you are not  Be careful what you wish for  Sacrifices bring rewards  Love conquers all

Point of View – the perspective of the one telling the story 1 st Person – narrator is the character in the story -- Look for pronouns – I, me, we, us

Point of View – the perspective of the one telling the story 2 nd person – narrator tells story to someone  Look for pronoun – you

Point of View – the perspective of the one telling the story 3 rd person – narrator is not a character  3 rd person omniscent – narrator relates to the thoughts, feelings, and actions of ALL characters  3 rd person limited – narrator tells what ONE person think, feels, and observes  Look for pronouns – he, she, it, they, them

Conflict - a struggle between opposing forces  Internal Conflict: takes place inside the character  Roger vs. himself - should he run away?  What should Mrs. Jones do with this boy?  External Conflict: a character’s struggle against a force outside himself or herself  Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse.  Mrs. Jones grabs Roger.

About the Author  Langston Hughes  1902 – 1967  One of the most renowned and influential African-American writers  Writes poems, short stories, plays, song lyrics, and radio scripts  One of the first African-Americans to earn a living writing “Thank you, M’am”

Story Plot

Story Plot for “Thank you, M’am”  1. The boy tried to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse.  2. Mrs. Jones grabbed the frail boy and took him to her house.  2. Mrs. Jones told Roger to wash his face and make himself look presentable.  2. Roger explained why he tried to steal her purse. He wanted to buy blue, suede shoes.  2. Roger offered to go to the store for Mrs. Jones.  2. They ate dinner together and Mrs. Jones told Roger all about her life.  3. Mrs. Jones gave Roger $10.00 to buy the shoes he wanted.  4. Mrs. Jones led Roger to the door and told him to behave himself.  5. Roger said, “Thank you, M’am.”