Embedded Files
Getting to Know the Author:
Knowing background information about an author can often times help us understand the story better because author’s often times, “write what they know.” Read the biography about the author and then do the small assignment below.
Photo:
"O. Henry Photo." NBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2013.
Vocabulary:
Being familiar with the vocabulary in a story in important because if you don’t understand the words in the story then you won’t understand the story itself. Complete the vocabulary assignment below so that you are familiar with the words that will appear in the story.
Directions: Read through ALL the vocab words below so that you are familiar with these words and their definitions. Then pick 10 of the ones that you find the most interesting and write them in a sentence. The sentence must include context clues to what the word means.
Example: The loquacious boy ran down the hall making tons of noise.
parsimony -extreme stinginess
instigate-provoke or stir up
prosperity-the condition of prospering; having good fortune
unassuming not arrogant or presuming
attend-take charge of or deal with
calculate-predict in advance
agile-mentally quick
depreciate-lower the value of something
envy-a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another
cascade-a small waterfall or series of small waterfalls
falter-move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
ransack-search thoroughly
meretricious-tastelessly showy
prudence -discretion in practical affairs
ravage-(usually plural) a destructive action
truant-absent without permission
terrify-fill with terror; frighten greatly
sentiment -tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
patent-clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
scrutiny-a prolonged intense look
illuminate-make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
nimble-moving quickly and lightly
ecstatic-feeling great rapture or delight
vanish-cease to exist
yearn-desire strongly or persistently
adorn- make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
ardent-characterized by strong enthusiasm
wise- marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
privilege- a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
sacrifice- endure the loss of
Mini Lesson:
Complete these mini lessons below. These mini lessons will cover the concepts that you will be looking for when reading the story.
Review of Literary Terms:
Setting- Where/When the story takes place
Characters- The people/animals in a story that the action revolves around.
Plot- The events in a story
Conflict- The events in a story that create drama
Theme- The moral or lesson that the story conveys to the reader
Watch the Literary Term Rap
The Plot Line:The plot is the order of events that happen in a story. Stories follow a plot line which includes the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. The exposition introduces the story, the setting and the characters. The rising action is where the actions of story begin to unfold and conflicts arise. The climax is the highest point of intensity in the story and where the largest conflicts are usually resolved (its the turning point of the tale). Falling action is where the loose end, conflicts and climax begin to be wrapped up. Resolution is the ending of the story. Watch and listen to the Plot Line Rap which will help you remember the different parts. Plot Line Rap
Reading the story:
Read the story and complete the assignment for the story.
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