1. Reading Short Stories

2. 1. What is the difference between a short story and a novel? 2. Why are these differences important? Before moving into our next book, there are 2 questions we must consider:

3. 5 Elements of a good short story: PLOT: A plot is a causal sequence of events, the "why" for the things that happen in the story. The plot draws the reader into the character's lives and helps the reader understand the choices that the characters make. THEME: What message are we supposed to get from a short story? And how are we supposed to get the message? Theme brings all of the elements of the short story together.

4. Elements of a good short story cont… CHARACTER: Analyzing the characters in any story is essential! What makes up the characters? What details does the author provide? (remember: Indirect vs. Direct Characterization!) POINT OF VIEW: Who is telling the story we are reading? The narrator? Our main character? How does this affect the information we receive as readers? SETTING: Setting is so much more than where the action of a story takes place. It can also determine how characters behave and even influence the mood of the story.

5. Analyzing Stories: The Ice Berg Theory: a key to analyzing short stories

6. A few words can say so much… “For sale: baby shoes, never used.” -Writer, Ernest Hemingway Little details (words, phrases, sentences) can mean so much in a story! SO PAY ATTENTION!

7. Interpreter of Maladies: Reading schedule (Calendar in room/ on eBoard) Graded Discussions/ pop quizzes Pre-Reading, Discussion Questions, Character Chart Process Paper! Due: week of Nov. 16 th