9th - 12th Writing, January 9

It was great to be back after a long break. We will be picking up the pace this second semester, since the students are ready for more challenging writing.

Lesson:
We embarked on our study of literary analysis this week.

First, we discussed basic dramatic structure:
Exposition - intro to setting, main characters, situation (Older works often devote a chapter or more to this, though modern writers usually shorten this or skip it altogether to begin the story in medias res, in the middle of things.)
Complication - the inciting moment that sets up the conflict
Rising action - the unfolding of the conflict leading up to a crisis
Crisis - moment of decision when protagonist commits to a course of action
Climax - peak point of conflict; turning point
Falling action - unraveling/aftermath of conflict
Resolution - also called denouement; conclusion
Moral - sometimes clearly stated in older works; seldom included in modern works

Though not every story has all these elements fully developed, nearly every work will have rising action, climax, and resolution, at least.

In a short story, the dramatic structure is efficiently condensed, with nearly every word or detail packed with significance, which makes short stories an excellent genre for literary analysis.

Next, we defined and discussed essential literary terms and devices, such as:
setting
character (especially protagonist and antagonist)
theme
conflict (of various types, man vs. man, man vs. nature, etc.)
point of view
and more.

I explained the general structure of a five-paragraph literary analysis essay, with intro and concluding paragraphs framing the three body paragraphs devoted to setting,character, and theme.

Assignment:
Students are to analyze a short story from those provided. I suggested that students read their selections three to five times. The first reading is for the story itself; the subsequent readings are to ferret out the various literary elements, especially as they relate to setting, character, and theme. Students will make notes, highlight passages, etc., in preparation for writing an essay next time.