Summarizing

When we summarize a story, we find all the main ideas of the story. Together, all of the main ideas of the story are called the summary. The summary is a shortened version of the story.

Character Traits

Protagonist/ Antagonist

Theme

The theme of a story is the moral message or lesson of a story.

THE MESSAGE

The Main Idea of a story tells what it is mostly about.

(One Sentence Summary)

Below is our anchor chart that illustrates the difference.

Red Herring

Red Herring

• A red herring is used in mysteries and thriller stories to distract the reader from identifying the real culprit. 
• The red herring in a story can take the form of characters that the reader suspect, but who turn out be innocent when the real murderer is identified. 
• It aims at keeping the readers guessing at the possibilities until the end and therefore keeps them interested in the story. 
• The readers enjoy solving the mysteries created by red herrings in the story. Undoubtedly, it would be difficult to keep the reader’s interest, if we knew which way the plot would go from the start.

One for the Murphy's isn't a mystery or a thriller, but the author does use red herring to hook her reader.  

• Do you think Carley will stay with the Murphys or go back to live with her mother?
• What text evidence does the author use to lead you to a conclusion?

Symbolism

SYMBOLISM 

Symbolism is giving special meaning to objects, things, relationships or events. 

Symbols are objects, things, places, characters, figures, events, sounds or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. A symbol is the physical representation of a concept or an idea. 

Symbolic Significance is the meaning or understanding beyond symbols. 

What do we need to know so we can have a better Understanding of Symbolism?

1. Symbols are tangible (touchable) objects that represent intangible (untouchable) ideas. 
2. Something that is tangible is concrete. Something that is intangible is abstract. 
3. Nouns are people, places, objects, and things which are concrete—physical. 
4. Nouns are also concepts and ideas which are abstract—not physical. 
5. Symbols are concrete or literal items that represent abstract or symbolic ideas. 

Symbol  Tangible Concrete Literal     We can see, touch, hear, taste, or smell the object  Object  a book  a tree sneakers

Symbolic Significance or Meaning       Intangible      Abstract      Symbolic       We cannot use our 5 senses What it Represents knowledge, education, history growth, strength, roots  going places

Conflict

CONFLICT 

The plot of almost any story centers on conflict. A conflict is a struggle between opposing forces. 

There are two main kinds of conflict: external and internal. 

External Conflict

When a character faces an outside force this is known as external conflict. During the course of a story, characters may face numerous types of outside forces. The outside force may be another character, or a group of people promoting their beliefs, or even be the forces of nature (storm, plague, drought).   Man against Man   Man against Nature  Man against Society   Man against the Supernatural   Man against Technology  Man against the Unknown  Internal Conflict  A struggle that takes place in a character’s mind is called an internal conflict. They character has to make a moral decision—to choose between what is considered right and what is considered wrong. Sometimes a character has to make a choice where there are two equally unlikeable solutions but the choice has to be made. When a character experiences these emotions and feelings and must come to a decision on one’s own, he or she is experiencing an internal conflict.   Man against Himself  The Importance of Conflict  Without conflict there is no story!  Conflict is the driving force behind a story’s plot and creates the action, builds the suspense, and ultimately relieves the tension in a climatic turning point.  Conflict is absolutely necessary to every story.  In short stories, there is usually one major conflict.  In novels there could be several conflicts.  By the end of story, the complication or major conflict should be resolved. Either the protagonist has failed or succeeded in overcoming the obstacles set before him or her.  Discovering Conflict while Reading  1. Identify the main characters—protagonist, antagonist  2. Decide what the complication or major conflict(s) are  3. Look for steps the protagonist takes to resolve the conflict  4. Are there many minor or subsequent conflicts?  5. Watch for foreshadowing clues and try to predict what the characters will do  6. Enjoy the buildup of tension and suspense  7. Has the main character failed or succeeded?  8. Is the conflict finally resolved?