Seventh Grade By: Gary Soto

Setting This story takes place in Fresno, California. Fresno is located in the San Joaquin Valley, southeast of San Francisco.

More about the setting… Fresno, California’s climate: Dry, hot summers Cool, humid winters The climate is excellent for growing grapes A large number of Hispanics whose families are originally from Spanish-speaking countries are employed in Fresno’s vineyards 8th largest city in California Biggest food producer in the United States

Dialect a regional variety of language. A variety of speech differing from the standard form. I couldn’t understand what my guide was saying because he spoke in a different dialect than what I had learned.

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 www,umich.edu

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

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

Point of View – the perspective of the one telling the story 3rd person – narrator is not a character -- Look for pronouns – he, she, it , they, them

Narration/Narrator Omniscient – “all knowing” tells about other thoughts and feelings Limited – knows only what’s in the mind of one major or minor character Objective – does not discuss the thoughts or feelings of the characters but reports only what they DO.

Conflict a struggle between opposing forces Internal Conflict: takes place inside the character External Conflict: a character’s struggle against a force outside himself or herself