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Introduction to Novels
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Novels can open up new worlds!
They can take you to… Places you’ve never been Times long ago Times in the future Into the hearts and minds of others
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What is a novel? Characteristics: A fictional text work
Usually divided into chapters Relatively long and often complex plot Story traditionally develops through the thoughts and actions of its characters
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Different Types of Novels
Mysteries- about a crime and the process of discovering who committed it Science Fiction- imagines the possible alternatives to reality that usually involves technology Fantasy-imaginary worlds that usually involves magic Westerns-normally take place in Western U.S. during 19th century, includes cowboys, ranchers, frontier life, and conflicts between natives and settlers Horror- focuses on creating emotions of terror and dread Thrillers- designed to make the reader’s pulse race Romance-about love and passion, usually focused on two characters who fall in love but face problems Historical- set in a past time period (normally at least 50 years prior)
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Basic Purpose When Reading a Novel
To understand… Who is telling the story (point of view) Where and when the story takes place Who are the main characters What are the characters like What happens (plot) The author’s main idea (theme) How thee author expresses his or her ideas (style)
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Preview Before Reading
Preview Checklist: The title and author The front and back covers Summaries or excerpts from book reviews Information about author Introductory material Foreword or introduction Chapter names and illustrations
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The Giver
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What makes up a novel or short story?
Story Elements What makes up a novel or short story?
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The time and place in which a story occurs
Setting The time and place in which a story occurs
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Importance of Setting The setting of a story is ALWAYS important It influences the way characters act and think and all aspects of their lives. What would happen if the setting from a western were switched with the setting from a Disney movie?
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Two Types of Settings stated – time and place are directly stated by the author implied – time and place are determined by clues given by the author
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Example of Setting On a rainy November morning in 1776, a soldier trod a solitary path along a road in western Virginia. His gait was slow, and his face — barely visible beneath untold layers of grime — betrayed an anguished, exhausted expression. What is the setting? Is it stated or implied?
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Example of Setting One night the king was holding a grand feast. Sneaking around behind the lords and ladies, Prince Brat tied their powdered wigs to the backs of their oak chairs. This is taken from The Whipping Boy. The students should infer that the time is in the past and that the setting is a castle somewhere. The text may later give more clues to clarify the setting (or even directly state it), but these inferences can be made now. What is the setting? Is it stated or implied?
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Overall feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates
Mood Overall feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates
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Describe the mood created in the passage below.
It was a cold and cheerless evening. The fog seemed to hover over the street, clutching the buildings, the streetlamps—the entire city—in a damp, icy grip. If one were to stand still, passers- by would emerge briefly from the gloom, only to disappear from view after taking just a few steps. These ghostly apparitions tormented James as he impatiently waited for his valet to return with his carriage.
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The people, animals, or creatures that the story is about
Characters The people, animals, or creatures that the story is about
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The characters directly involved with the conflict
Main Characters The characters directly involved with the conflict
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Protagonist Good character The hero or heroine
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Antagonist Bad character The villain or nemesis
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Secondary Characters characters added to the story to create interest
not directly involved with the conflict
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Characterization the method used by authors to help readers get to know the characters in a story
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Stated Characterization
stated – the author tells the audience about the personality and appearance of the character Example: The giant was huge, statuesque, and powerful.
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Implied Characterization
implied – the author shows the audience things that reveal the personality of a character Example: The giant felt unhappy when he saw the child crying. “I don’t like to see you suffering,” he said consolingly.
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Methods of Characterization
Speech Thoughts and Feelings Effect on others Actions Looks
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Methods of Characterization
Speech What does the character say? How does the character speak?
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Methods of Characterization
Thoughts and Feelings What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings?
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Methods of Characterization
Effect on Others What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
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Methods of Characterization
Actions What does the character do? How does the character behave?
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Methods of Characterization
Looks What does the character look like? How does the character dress?
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Watch for examples of characterization in the clip..
Click on Discovery Education screen to begin the clip.
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All of the events that make up a story
Plot All of the events that make up a story
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There are 6 main parts of a plot.
Introduction Conflict Rising Actions Climax Falling Actions Conclusion
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Introduction The beginning of the story where the characters and the setting are revealed.
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Conflict The overall problem of the story. It should involve the main character.
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Types of Conflict Character vs. Character
Character vs. Environment/Nature Character vs. Society Character vs. Self
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Types of Conflict The first three types of conflict are generally external. This means that the reader understands that the characters are acting on their problems. The last type is internal. This conflict occurs in the character’s mind or conscience, such as deciding to do the right thing, the honest thing, or the brave thing. It’s a decision that one can only make by him/herself.
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Rising Actions All of the events leading to the climax of the story
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Climax The event in the story where the problem is solved or the question is answered. It’s usually the most exciting part of the story.
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Falling Actions The events leading to the conclusion of the story
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Conclusion The end of the story
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Plot Structure Climax Rising Actions Falling Actions Introduction
Conflict Conclusion
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The author’s choice of narrator or speaker
Point of View The author’s choice of narrator or speaker
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First Person POV A character in the story is telling the story. Uses the pronoun I
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Third Person POV The speaker, or narrator, is outside the story. Uses the pronouns he, she, it or they
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Determine the point of view
Once upon a time there was an old sow with three little pigs, and as she had not enough to keep them, she sent them out to seek their fortune. The first that went off met a man with a bundle of straw, and said to him, "Please, man, give me that straw to build me a house"; which the man did, and the little pig built a house with it.
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Determine the point of view
Everybody knows the story of the Three Little Pigs. Or at least they think they do. But I’ll let you in on a little secret. Nobody knows the real story, because nobody has ever heard my side of the story. I’m the wolf. Alexander T. Wolf. You can call me Al. I don’t know how this whole Big Bad Wolf thing got started, but it’s all wrong. From The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
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Theme A lesson or message the author is trying to send the reader
A generalization about life
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Theme stated – lesson or message is directly stated by the author implied – a lesson that is merely suggested
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YOUR favorite movies or books?
Theme What are some of the themes from YOUR favorite movies or books? Click on Discovery Education screen to begin the clip.
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