English Language ArtsLevel 7 #55Ms. Walker

Today’s Objectives

FictionThe Short StoryThe NovelFigures of SpeechCall of the Wild

Fiction Defined

Introduction to Fiction

Fiction is the class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration, especially in prose form. The works of this class are novels or short stories: detective fiction, science fiction, etc.

Introduction to Fiction

Fiction is any work that is not based on real events. Fiction comes from the writer’s imagination. The characters are not real people. The setting is most often an imaginary place.

Introduction to Fiction

Short stories and novels are the most notable forms of fiction.In each case, the writer uses literary devices to convey a message or theme.

Introduction to Fiction

Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—(that is, invented by the author.)

The Short Story

The Short Story

A short story is a piece of prose fiction which can be read at a single sitting. A short story is restricted to one setting only (fixed place, time and social surroundings).

The Short Story

It mostly shows a decisive moment of life (which can entail a fatal blow). There are a limited set of characters, one single action and a simple plot

(often: exposition, complication, crisis, sad / happy ending).

The Short Story

There is often little action, hardly any character development, but we get a snapshot of life (slice-of-life story). A short story very often has an open / abrupt beginning and an open or surprise ending.

The author gives careful thought as to the character’s personality traits (What the character thinks; How the character acts and what the character does in the story.)

Point of view refers to who is telling the story. Does the character use “I” to refer to himself or herself? Does the writer use “he, she or it when referring to the characters? Does the author use “you?”

Point of ViewWho is telling the

story?

Point of View

A story's point of view deals with who is telling the story. There aretwo types of point of view. These are first-person and third-person. In first person point of view, a character tells the story. This is shown by the use of the pronoun "I," “me,”or “my” throughout the story.

First Person Point of View

In the first person point of view we only know the information that the character tells us. The first person point of view is most often used to create intimacy between the character and the reader.

Third Person Point of View

In third person point of view the writer refers to the character as he, she, it, they, etc. The author reveals the character through what the character thinks, what others think about the character and what the character thinks about himself.

Setting refers to the time and place in which the story takes place. Where does the story take place? Is it rainy or sunny? Is the mood happy or sad, funny or serious? How does the character live?

When you read a story, pay close attention to where, when and how the story takes place. This information gives important clues about the story. Some stories do not focus on the setting.

There can be no story without a conflict. The conflict refers to the problem that the main character must deal with. There are two types of conflict: external (a struggle outside oneself) and internal (a struggle within oneself).

The conflict of the story is the main problem. It usually involves the main character. There are two types of conflict, external and internal. External conflicts involve the main character and another person.

Also, there may be problems between the main character and society, nature, or a machine. Internal conflicts are battles between the character and his thoughts or feelings.

The plot is what happens in the story. The plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle and end. The short story has one plot so it can be read in one sitting.

Identifying the Elements of a Plot Diagram

Student Notes

1. ExpositionThis usually occurs at the beginning of a

short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

2. Rising ActionThis part of the story begins to

develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

3. ClimaxThis is the turning point of the story.

Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling ActionAll loose

ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. ResolutionThe story

comes to a reasonable ending.

The theme is the author’s intended meaning or the main idea the author is attempting to convey. The theme may be the author’s thoughts about a topic or view of human nature. The author uses various figures of speech to emphasize the theme.

What exactly is this elusive thing called theme?The theme of a fable is its moral. The theme of a parable is its teaching. The theme of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave.

In fiction, the theme is not intended to teach or preach. In fact, it is not presented directly at all. You extract it from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. In other words, you must figure out the theme yourself.

The writer's task is to communicate on a common ground with the reader. Although your experience may be different from the details of the story, the general underlying truths behind the story may be the connection that both you and the writer are seeking.

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Figures of Speech

Figures of Speech

PersonificationAnthropomorphismSimileMetaphorAlliterationOnomatopoeia

Anthropomorphism

I wonder what we’ll have for lunch?

Me too. I’d like a steak.

SimileHer smile is like sunshine.

Metaphor

The mountain is a fortress.

=

Alliteration

She sells sea shells by the seashore.

Onomatopoeia

A clap of lightening

Onomatopoeia

We use numerous words to imitate sounds: the roar of a lion; bees buzz; the car’s engine went varoom; the clickety-clack of the train’s wheels. These are example of the use of onomatopoeia.

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Part 3 –

The NovelCall of the Wild

Call of the Wild

Chapter 1 ReviewBuck, a family dog, was taken from his home in California and sent to Alaska where he will be trained to be a sled dog so he can help men find gold.

Call of the Wild

Chapter 2 ReviewBuck learns the "laws of club and fang“: A man with a club was a lawgiver and never go down in a fight or that was the end of you. He quickly learns to defend himself.

Call of the Wild

Chapter 3 ReviewBuck is tormented by Spitz until one fateful night when they must fight to the death. Buck wins the fight against Spitz.

Call of the Wild

Chapter 4 ReviewAfter Buck defeats Spitz, he becomes the lead sled dog. Buck is a harsh but fair disciplinarian. Dave, a hard-working dog, becomes sick, but he refuses to rest and eventually dies in the traces.

Call of the Wild

Chapter 5 ReviewBuck meets Charles, Hal and Mercedes, a stubborn group that refuses to listen to advice. They die an icy death after they are warned not to go any further because the river is thawing. In this chapter Buck meets John Thornton.

Call of the Wild

Chapter 6 ReviewJohn Thornton saves Buck’s life. In return, Buck becomes a very loyal dog. He saves John Thornton’s life twice. His love is so great that Buck will do whatever John Thornton tells him to do.

Call of the Wild

Chapter 7 ReviewBuck begins to become more wild by fighting a bear, bringing down a bull moose and killing the Yeehats. His primitive nature comes to the fore when he joins a wolf pack and becomes their leader.

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Part 4 - The Idiom

Idioms are spoken phrases that cannot be found in the dictionary. An idiom is an expression that means something other than the literal meanings of its individual words.

Off the Hook

If someone is off the hook, they have avoided punishment or criticism for something they have done. Off the hook also means someone has been relieved of an obligation.

Off the Hook

Just like a fish that has been caught by a fish hook and manages to free itself and get away, off the hook can mean escaping punishment or getting out of an obligation.

Off the Hook

Sam got into trouble for taking his sister’s CD, but he was let off the hook when his sister said he could have it.Jenny was supposed to wash the dog, but she was let off the hook when her brother said he would do it.

Lesson Review

Today’s lesson was a review of fiction, the elements of the short story and the figures of speech used in the novel, Call of the Wild.

Next Lesson

Our next lesson will review poetry and drama.