By: Patrick Carman

All fiction is based on CONFLICT, and this conflict is presented in a structured format called…

The introductory material which gives the setting, creates tone, presents the characters, and other facts necessary to understand the story.

Exposition

Time and Location in which a story takes place

1.) Place – geographical location

2.) Time – historical period, time of day year, etc.

3.) Weather Conditions – rainy, sunny, stormy,

etc.

4.) Social Conditions – Daily life of character

5.) Atmosphere – What feeling is created at the beginning of the story?

SETTING

SETTING – Location

Place Small town called Skeleton Creek in

Oregon Isolated & forgotten - alone at the bottom

of the mountains Secrets buried there that are best left

alone More specific – Ryan’s Bedroom (for now)

Current day

Begins Monday, September 13, 5:30 a.m.

Setting - Time

Setting - Weather Conditions Grey Fog

hanging thick and sticky Hiding something unknown and

diabolical

Ryan states “Privacy has long been the religion of our town.”

No one wants to talk about the past.

Setting – Social Conditions

Setting – Tone (Atmosphere) Dark & Frightening Something’s not “right” with the

town Fearful Foreboding Ominous Apprehensive Menacing Threatening Sinister

Day - 3

Characters

Characters

Major Characters Have good & bad qualitiesTheir goals, ambitions & values changeAre 3-dimensionalGrows to a higher level of understandingAre DYNAMIC – changes as a result of what happens to them

Types of Characters

Protagonist – the MAIN CHARACTER in the story

Antagonist – The character or force that OPPOSES the main character

Foil – A character who provides contrast to the protagonist

Character Traits, Emotions & Motivations

Trait – feature or quality that distinguishes a particular person or thing Can be physical , or dealing with

personality Emotion –feelings (joy, sorrow, fear,

love, hate etc.) Motivation – what causes someone to

do something

Minor Characters

Flat (2-dimensional) Lack depth STATIC – stay the same, never

change

Question:

Skeleton Creek Characters (so far)

Ryan We are reading his journal Was just released from the hospital (in for 2

weeks) Had accident at dredge He is scared – thinks something menacing is

after him, hunting him Thought he was going to die – thinks he still

might Has an overactive imagination Is Paranoid Loves to write Is “almost” old enough to drive Tall for his age, but needs to gain weight

Characters (so far)

Sarah Is adventuresome & reckless Consumed by filmmaking Creative Persuasive Talks to anyone Posts her films on the internet Asked the question that started it all…

Characters (so far)

Gladys Morgan Prehistoric Very unhappy Unmarried Town librarian Not friendly Does not want people in her library Stares at people like they just kicked her cat Skin like crumpled newspaper Lower lip hangs heavy over her chin Alarming overbite Wears wire-rimmed glasses Gave Ryan & Sarah their 1st clue…

Characters

Old Joe Bush Worked on the Dredge Died at the Dredge

Pant leg caught in gears – leg crushed –” never emerged from the black pond…”

Only one mention of his death (forgotten)

Characters

Phantom at the dredge Recorded by Sarah Mysterious An UNKNOWN

Day 4

Point of View

First Person – The narrator is a character in the story who can reveal ONLY PERSONAL THOUGHTS & FEELINGS and what he/she see & is told by other characters. ( Can’t tell us the thoughts of others)

Third-Person Objective – The narrator is an outsider who can report ONLY WHAT HE/SHE SEES & IS TOLD BY OTHERS. ( Can’t tell us the thoughts of others)

Third Person Limited – The narrator is an outsider who sees into the mind of ONLY ONE character.

Omniscient – The narrator is an ALL-KNOWING outsider who can enter the minds of more than one character.

Point of View

First Person •Ryan is writing about his personal thoughts, feelings & experiences.

•Sarah is recording her personal thoughts, feelings & experiences on video.

Skeleton Creek Point of View

Day 6

Standard Vocabulary

ELA7R1 – f. analyzes characterization (dynamic & static) in prose and plays as delineated through a character’s thoughts, words, speech patterns, and actions; the narrator’s description; and the thoughts, words, and actions of other characters.

Characterization Dynamic Static Prose Delineated Speech Pattern

ELA7R1 – In your own words

Day 7

Sound & Figurative Language

Sound Devices

Alliteration –The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables. (example - The wild and woolly walrus waits and wonders when we'll

walk by)

Onomatopoeia –Naming a thing or an action by imitating the sound associated with it (example -buzz, hiss, roar, woof )

Rhyme – repetition of sound at the end of words or lines or poetry (example – Blue, You, Too)

Internal Rhyme – repetition of sound in a line of poetry

(example – She’s such a silly billy goat.

Figurative Language

Cliché - A word or phrase that has become overly familiar or commonplace (example – No pain, no gain)

Hyperbole - Big exaggeration, usually with humor (example - mile-high ice-cream cones)

Idiom - An expression that means something other than the literal meanings of its individual words. (example – it’s raining cats and dogs)

Metaphor – Comparing two things by using one kind of object or using in place of another to suggest the likeness between them. (example - Her hair was silk)

Figurative Language Cont. Personification -Giving something human

qualities (example -The stuffed bear smiled as the little boy hugged

him close)

Simile - A figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as (example - The sun is like a yellow ball of fire in the sky)

Symbolism -A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well. (example – heart = love)

Assignment:

Day 8

Plot

Question:

All fiction is based on CONFLICT, and this conflict is presented in a structured format called…

Plot Mountain

Exposition Rising action

Inciting force Conflict

Inciting Force

The event that triggers the conflict Sarah asking “Why Skeleton Creek?” is what

causes the 2 kids to start their search.

“Why call a town Skeleton Creek? Nobody wants to visit a place with a name like that. It’s bad for tourism.”

“You’re not the first to ask about the past…let it go…you’ll only stir up trouble.”

CONFLICT – Ryan & Sarah are trying to solve a mystery that the town’s people want to forget.

Character versus Character (man versus man)

Plot Activity

Question:

Additional Characters

Paul Ryan’s dad

Has a birdie tattoo Is secretive Doesn’t talk much May be a member of

crossbones Has a picture of Old Joe

Bush

Ranger Bonner From Mesula Acts suspisious Grills Sarah about the

dredge Warns Sarah aganist the

dredge Asks if Sarah saw anyone

at the dredge Grey hair, average build

Additional Characters

Henry Rainbow colored suspenders Mutton Chops Laughs a lot/card games Worked at the dredge Visits Skeleton Creek as much as he can Lives in New York Best Friends with Paul Feels guilty about his work at the dredge Likes to fish

Characterization Activity

Day 9

Theme & Topic

Question:

Topic

The subject

Theme

The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme may be stated or implied.

Day

Plot

Plot

Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

Question:

Skeleton Creek = Cliffhanger