Untitled Flashcards Set

A story’s structure helps the author clarify the order of events and move the narrative along. One narrative structure is a frame story, in which one story contains a second, interior story and then wraps things up when that second story ends.

A basic element of narrative structure is point of view, or the type of narrator used. A first-person narrator is a character within the story. The use of a first-person narrator usually seems more “personal” and makes a connection with the reader quite quickly.

EXAMPLE: I was walking to my grandmother’s house when I met this really nice wolf.

A third-person narrator is “outside” the story. The use of a third-person narrator usually seems more “objective.” It also may allow the author to reveal information that the characters themselves do not know.

EXAMPLE: Little Red Riding Hood was walking to her grandmother’s house when she met a wolf who seemed really nice.

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Ed was giving his student actors some feedback about their performance. “Well, guys, tonight’s show didn’t go well, but I’ll tell you about a worse one. Long ago, when I was about your age, my friends and I put on a short play. One night, during a wedding scene, the actress playing the bride tripped over her wedding gown and knocked over the pulpit. The audience laughed, thinking it was deliberate, and the groom laughed, too—he couldn’t help himself. That made the bride furious, and she started chasing the groom around the stage, hitting him with her wedding bouquet.” Ed stopped for a moment and shook his head. One of the student actors asked him, “So what happened?” Ed laughed. “We thought it was so hilarious that we did it again the next night. The audience loved it! And—I’ve been married to the bride for 30 years.”

1. Which part of the story creates the frame? Which does the frame present: a first-person narrator, or a third-person narrator?

2. What happens in the story inside the frame? What type of narration appears in that part? How do you think that narration affects the reader?

THEME AND SYMBOL

The central message or insight about life conveyed through a literary work is known as the theme. Themes sometimes are stated directly. When they are implied, or suggested, readers can identify them by making inferences from text details. For example, a poem that describes parent birds feeding their young might express the theme that all living creatures need to take care of the next generation.

A symbol is a real thing that represents a larger, abstract idea. Like other kinds of text elements, symbols can relate to themes. For example, a heart is often a symbol of love, and a story that keeps referring to the heart may well be a poem about the value of love.

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Leonard couldn’t believe what lousy friends he had. All day at school, no one had even mentioned that it was his birthday! They all acted as if it was just another ordinary day. Even his parents hadn’t said anything that morning at breakfast. How could they have forgotten? After school, he slammed his locker door shut and started to walk home, muttering to himself. Along the way, Leonard noticed a single barren tree in the middle of an empty field. He had seen it many times before, but today, somehow it took on a special meaning for him. He stopped muttering, sighed sadly, and walked slowly to his house.

As he put his key into the lock and opened the door, he was surprised to see that all of the lights were off. And he could swear that he heard someone giggling in the dark. Maybe he was imagining it? But as his hand fumbled for the light switch, his nose suddenly picked up the wonderful scent of warm chocolate. And then he knew! He smiled just before the lights flashed on and the balloons dropped. They had remembered!

1. What emotion does Leonard feel at the beginning of the story, and why?

2. What emotion does Leonard feel when he sees the bare tree? How can you tell?

3. The tree suddenly has a “special meaning” for Leonard. What might the tree symbolize to him? Explain. 

4. What happens at the end of the story, and how does it make Leonard feel?

5. What theme, or idea about life, do all the parts of the story work together or express? Explain your answer using details from the story. 

Tone is the author’s attitude towards his/her subject. Tone can be determined through the author’s word choices or diction. 

Directions: Read the passage and then answer the following questions.

The wind howled through the empty streets, carrying with it the scent of rain and the promise of something wild. The dark and gloomy sky hung low over the city, almost as if it were about to swallow everything in its path. There was a strange quiet in the air, a tension that made every step I took feel heavier, like the world itself was holding its breath. I hurried home, pulling my coat tighter, unsure if I was running from the storm or running toward it. 

1. What is this passage about? 

2. What is the speaker's tone? Explain your answer using textual evidence.

A static character does not change throughout the telling of the story, whereas dynamic characters are the opposite – they undergo significant internal and/or external changes.

Direct Characterization: when the author explicitly presents or comments on the characters

• The author is telling the reader about the character

Indirect Characterization: showing a character’s personality traits through their actions, dialogue, thoughts and feelings. 

• The author is showing the reader what the character is like. 

Directions: Read the 2 scenarios below and answer the questions that follow.

At the beginning of the story, Jason has low self-esteem and no friends. He is very depressed. Then he tries out for the baseball team and gradually develops skills and confidence. By the end of the story, he now has many friends and is much happier.

1. Is the character static or dynamic? How do you know?

2. “Jason has low self-esteem and no friends.” Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization?

John's mother loves and supports him, but John is going through a difficult time. He tore his ACL playing football and now his dreams of a college scholarship are finished. John's mother helps him find a different path by encouraging his academic interests and taking him to the library weekly. By the end of his senior year, John managed to win an academic scholarship.

3. Is John’s mother static or dynamic? How do you know?

4. “John’s mother helps him find a different path by encouraging his academic interests and taking him to the library weekly.” Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization?

When something is very different from what happens

1. When you find out that your pulmonologist (lung doctor) smokes.

2. Your dog eats his certificate of dog-training obedience.

3. A child constantly loses her belongings. She loses her stuffed animal after being told not to lose it.