SYNOPSIS?
FORMATTING
• If typing: 12 POINT FONT
• Times New Roman, Arial, Or Calibri –
DOUBLE SPACED.
• If Hand-written: One side of the paper,
neatly presented - USE A PEN!
• LABEL SECTIONS AND SUBSECTIONS
For example:
First Section: Identify and Explain: Main Conflict and Climax
Main Conflict:
In the novel The Outsiders by S.E.Hinton, there are two teenage social groups who simply do not
get along. One group is called the Socs (the word “socials” shortened) and the other is called the Greasers
due to the fact that they use product in their long hair. Their differences are mostly economic. This is the
root cause of tension in the novel, since the two “gangs” don’t get along. The Socs are privileged bullies
and act as the antagonists against the protagonist Greasers. The Socs live in the part of town with big
houses and feel entitled to everything. The Greasers, in contrast, are characterized as poor, from broken
homes, and are rough around the edges. They feel the need to fight to survive economically and socially.
The conflict is complicated When a Greaser named Johnny kills a Soc in self-defense. Johnny and
Ponyboy hide out in an old church until things “blow over.”
Climax:
The point that this conflict comes to an unavoidable climax is when yada, yada blah blah rhubarb,
rhubarb, rhubarb, etc. and so on until there is no more room on the slide you are looking at and I can go
home or get some coffee. Coffee is really great, probably the greatest thing about it is the way it is nice and
NOTES
Date:____ up to page # ____ Characters introduced_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Plot developments (what happened)_____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Conflicts developed__________________________________________________________________________
Literary elements (symbols, foreshadowing, irony, etc)______________________________________________
Specific example:______________________________________________________________PAGE #_______
• In order
• Complete – labeled, etc.
• From perspective of main character
First Section – 2 paragraphs total
• Describe the MAIN conflict:
Who vs. Whom? – Identify Protagonist and Antagonist
Describe:
rising action
Over-arching reasons behind the conflict
• Describe the Climax
Include the main components of the conflict
Explain WHY it is the climax
Second Section – 1 Paragraph
• STRUCTURE
Analyze how an author’s choice of structure
unfolds the plot and also creates mystery,
tension, surprise, etc.
Is it linear?
Is it circular?
Are there parallel plots?
Flashbacks?
Foreshadowing?
Third Section – 2 Paragraphs
• TWO different literary elements – USE
YOUR NOTES!
• Identify
• Define
• Explain (with specific examples from the
book) the impact of usage on the text
• USE QUOTES AND PAGE NUMBERS
Fourth Section – 1 Paragraph
• CHARACTER ANALYSIS
Explain how the main character changed
over the course of the book
Three major plot points/events/interactions
which have influenced their change
GIVE QUOTES AND PAGE NUMBERS
FIFTH SECTION – 2 Paragraphs
• HISTORICAL CONTEXT
When was it written?
How does that impact the story?
Do additional research – use quotes and intext citations (include bibliography items)
Reading The Giver? – also explain how it is
a dystopian novel
Sixth Section – 12 line minimum
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Creative response poem
At least one figurative element
At least two sound elements
Underline these elements
• Poetic Forms?
Form examples:
• Free Verse – no set rules or structure
Buffalo Bill's
defunct
who used to
ride a watersmooth-silver
stallion
and break onetwothreefourfive pigeonsjustlikethat
Jesus
he was a handsome man
and what i want to know is
how do you like your blueeyed boy
Mister Death
Acrostic
• Acrostic – Spells a title, character, or
concept down the left side
Will you know how to choose the
Right words and apt phrases
In your poems?
Thinking might help, but poetry comes from
Inside somewhere and
Nowhere at the same time.
Go ahead and try.
Poetic moments may be
Obscured by
Every day
Trash. So clean up the
Refuse, and
You might find a poem to polish in the end.
Want MORE?
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Try here:
www.rccsd.org
My page, under “poetry”
Click “poetic forms”
Now, WORK!
• If you have specific questions – stay after
school and ask!
EARLY POLICY
• +2 to hand it in early
• Greater benefit of having me look it over
before due date
LATE POLICY:
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•
•
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•
END OF THE DAY DUE – totally ok!
One day late (by 5:30) – 10% off
Two Days Late (by 5:30) – 20% off
And so on…
STAY IN ACADEMIC RECOVERY!!!!
BUT
More than five school days late - ZERO