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:
"Photo of Mark Twain." PBS. PBS, 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.
garrulous -full of trivial conversation
design -an arrangement scheme
dilapidated -in deplorable condition
rouse -become active
cherish -be fond of; be attached to
obligation -a personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor
blockade -render unsuitable for passage
spectacle -something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
interrupt -interfere in someone else's activity
satisfied -filled with satisfaction
mention -make reference to
bound -headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in `college-bound students'
considerable -large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
risk -take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
fetch -go or come after and bring or take back
ornery -having a difficult and contrary disposition
limp -proceed slowly or with difficulty
circumstances -your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
constant -uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
education -knowledge acquired by learning and instruction
modest -humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
level -a flat surface at right angles to a plumb line
monstrous -abnormally large
particular -unique or specific to a person or thing or category
experience -the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
opinion -a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
budge -move very slightly
blame -attribute responsibility to
enterprising -marked by imagination, initiative, and readiness to undertake new projects
depart -go away or leave
Mini Lesson:
Complete these mini lessons below. These mini lessons will cover the concepts that you will be looking for when reading the story.
Irony: There are three types of irony. Watch the videos below and take notes on what each type is and a few examples of each type.
Point of View and Foreshadowing:
Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told. This can change as the story unfolds. The tone and feel of the story, and even its meaning, can change radically depending on who is telling the story.
Foreshadowing: Hints the author gives during a story that helps the reader infer what will happen next.
Watch the following clip and answer these questions: Clip
1. How is suspense created in this clip?
2. What different points of view are shown in the clip?
3. Which point of view effectively creates suspense?
4. What events in the clip are being foreshadowed and how do you know?
Reading the story:
Read the story and complete the assignment for the story.
AssignmentMedium Level Story Assignment
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