9th Grade Unit One
 This
unit enables students to confirm and
hone common understanding of important
literary elements, as well as a shared
vocabulary for discussing them. Each story
will focus on particular elements, such as
point of view or symbolism.
 Identify
and explain plot structure in short
stories.
 Understand and explain why plots in short
stories usually focus on a single event.
 Analyze how authors create the setting in a
short story.
 Define the concept of theme and identify the
theme(s) in stories read.
 Identify and explain characterization
techniques in short stories.
Identify and explain the use of figurative
language in short stories.
 Analyze how authors create tone in short stories.
 Identify point of view (POV) in a short story and
analyze how POV affects the reader’s
interpretation of the story.
 Write a coherent literary analysis with a clear
thesis statement, at least 3 pieces of evidence
from texts and a strong introduction and
conclusion.
 Define and refine research questions; cite
sources accurately, distinguishing between
paraphrasing and quoting.

 “The
Most Dangerous Game” by Richard
Connell pg. 17 in the Holt Textbook
 “Thank You Ma’am” by Langston Hughes pg.
108 in the Holt Textbook
 “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst pg. 415 in
the Holt Textbook
 “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe
pg. 211 in the Holt Textbook
 “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry pg. 348 in
the Holt Textbook
 Purpose/Objective:
Define literary
terminology for unit 1.
 Lesson:
Write down the following literary
terminology for unit one and define the
terms using the “Handbook of Literary
Terms” on starting on pg. 1133 in the Holt
textbook.
Character
Characterization
Figurative language/figures of speech
Irony (General definition and 3 types of Irony)
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Dramatic, situational and verbal
Narrator
Plot
Point of view (POV)
Imagery/ Sensory imagery
Setting
Style
Symbol/symbolism
Theme
Tone
Foreshadowing
 Unit
1 pretest
 Purpose/Objective: To discover what
students already know and don’t know
coming into the unit.
Finish pretest if it is not completed.
 Define Literary terms for Unit 1
1.
Character
2.
Characterization
3.
Figurative language
4.
Irony
5.
Narrator
6.
Plot
7.
Point of view (POV)
8.
Imagery (Sensory imagery)
9.
Setting
10.
Style
11.
Symbol (symbolism)
12.
Theme
13.
Tone
14.
Foreshadowing

1.
Character
2.
Characterization
3.
Figurative language
4.
Point of view (POV)
5.
Irony
6.
Narrator
7.
Plot
a. The voice telling the story
b. The process of revealing the
personality of a character
c. Contrast between expectation
and reality and/or what is
said and what is really meant
d. Series of related events that
make up a story or drama
e. Person in poem, story or play
f. Figures of speech that describes
one thing in terms of another
and is not meant to be taken
literally
g. Vantage point from which a
writer tells a story
 Purpose/Objective:
To introduce key literary
terms which will be the focus of the short
story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard
Connell
 Terms to define, identify and explain:




Plot: diagram
Setting : 5 aspects of setting
Conflict : PNUTS
Foreshadowing
Plot
Elements
 Exposition
 Rising
action
 Climax (turning point)
 Falling action
 Resolution
Remember: Every Rodent Chooses
Free Range
 Plot
Diagram

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The 5 Aspects of Setting
Place - geographical location. Where is the action
of the story taking place?
Time - When is the story taking place? (historical
period, time of day, year, etc)
Weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?
Social conditions - What is the daily life of the
characters like? Does the story contain local colour
(writing that focuses on the speech, dress,
mannerisms, customs, etc. of a particular place)?
Mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at
the beginning of the story? Is it bright and cheerful
or dark and frightening?
Internal
Conflict
External Conflict: Person vs
 Person
(Taken, Taken 2)
 Nature
(The Grey, Perfect Storm)
 Unknown
(Signs, The Abyss)
 Technology (I, Robot, Terminater)
 Society
(V for Vendetta)
Remember: PNUTS
1.
Imagery (sensory imagery)
2.
Setting
3.
Style
4.
Symbol (symbolism)
5.
Theme
6.
Tone
7.
Foreshadowing
a. Attitude a writer takes toward a
subject, a character, or the
audience
b. Time and place of a story or play
c. Language that appeals to the 5
senses: sight, sound smell,
touch, and taste
d. The use of clues to hint at events
that will occur later in a plot.
e. Person, place, thing or event
that stands for itself and for
something beyond itself as
well.
f. Central or main idea of a work of
literature
g. The particular way in which a
writer uses language such as
diction and figurative language
 Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify and explain plot structure
(complete a plot diagram) in the short
story.
Analyze how the author creates the setting
in the short story.
Identify the author’s use of foreshadowing.
Identify and explain the type of conflict(s)
in the short story.
 Turn
to pg 16 in the textbook and get out a
piece of paper to write your answers to
questions that will be asked as you read the
story.
 Review the Literary Focus and the Reading
Skills for the short story “The Most Dangerous
Game”.
 Foreshadowing: The use of clues to hint at
events that will occur later in a plot.
 Follow along in your book as the story is read
and be prepared to answer questions based
on the reading.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Based on the title of the story, what do you think it
is going to be about? (pg. 17)
What is the name of the island they are passing?
What might this foreshadow? (pg. 17)
What is the setting of the stories opening? How do
you know? (pg. 17-18)
How does Rainsford feel about hunting animals?
How does Whitney feel about hunting animals? How
do you feel about hunting animals?
Based on the conversation between Whitney and
Rainsford regarding the island, what possible roles
could the island play in the story? (pg. 18)
What do you predict is going to happen after
Rainsford hears the three shots in the dark? (top of
pg. 19)
7. What might the “Blood-warm” water
foreshadow?
8. What do we learn about Rainsford from his
actions in the water? (pg. 19)
9. To what earlier part of the story does the
passage “Rainsford heard… a high screaming
sound… of anguish and terror.” allude? (pg 19)
10. How has the setting changed? Describe the new
setting at the end of pg 19.
11. What do you predict is going to happen next in
this story? What aspects of the setting,
character, plot and foreshadowing contribute
to your prediction? (pg 19)
1.
2.
Draw and fill in the 6 parts of a plot
diagram.
What are the 5 aspects of setting?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Your own answer
Ship-Trap Island: They will crash on the island.
Night time on a ship
Rainsford hunts and thinks animals don’t feel
anything. Whitney thinks they feel fear of pain
and death.
The island will be a hostile setting in the story.
Your answer
It foreshadows violence
He’s cool in emergencies, doesn’t give up
He hears an animal in anguish: deep fear/pain
On an island with think jungle vegetation
Your prediction about what is next in the story.
 Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify and explain plot structure
(complete a plot diagram) in the short
story.
Analyze how the author creates the setting
in the short story.
Identify the author’s use of foreshadowing.
Identify and explain the type of conflict(s)
in the short story.
12. After Rainsford examines the bullet cartridge, he speaks
to himself about the scene before him. What questions do
you have about the scene? Why do you think the author
doesn’t answer these questions? (pg 20)
13. How is the sea personified (fig. language giving
something non-human human characteristics)? (pg. 20)
14. What type of conflict occurs after Rainsford knocks on
the chateau door? How does it heighten the suspense?
15. Write your conclusions about the character of General
Zaroff based on the narrator’s description, the dialogue
and Zaroff’s actions. (pg 21)
16. Answer the yellow box question on pg 21. What does
Zaroff’s description of Cossacks contribute to your
prediction? (pg 21)
17. On pg 22, Rainsford is uncomfortable with the way the
general is judging him. What does the general’s inspection
hint at? (pg 22)
18. Answer the yellow box question on pg. 22
19. Do you think General Zaroff is a civilized man? Give
specific examples from the story that show he
civilized and/or uncivilized.
20. Do you agree with Zaroff’s assessment that jaguars
(or other animals) are not cunning because they can’t
outwit a hunter with a rifle? Explain why or why not.
(pg. 24)
21. What are the ideal characteristics for Zaroff’s new
animal to hunt? What mammal in the world has all
these characteristics? (pg 24)
22. What is Zaroff’s new quarry for hunting? How does
he attempt to justify it to Rainsford? (pg 25)
23. Looking back at the story, what are the hints the
author uses to foreshadow this development? (pg. 25)
1.
Character
a. Attitude a writer takes toward a subject, a
character, or the audience
b. Time and place of a story or play
2.
Characterization
3.
Figurative language
4.
Foreshadowing
5.
Imagery (sensory imagery)
6.
Irony
7.
Narrator
8.
Plot
9.
Point of view (POV)
10.
Setting
11.
Style
j. Contrast between expectation and reality and/or
what is said and what is really meant
k. Series of related events that make up a story or
drama
12.
Symbol (symbolism)
l. Person in poem, story or play
13.
Theme
14.
Tone
m. Figures of speech that describes one thing in
terms of another and is not meant to be
taken literally
n. Vantage point from which a writer tells a story
c. Language that appeals to the 5 senses: sight,
sound smell, touch, and taste
d. The use of clues to hint at events that will occur
later in a plot.
e. Person, place, thing or event that stands for itself
and for something beyond itself as well.
f. Central or main idea of a work of literature
g. The particular way in which a writer uses language
such as diction and figurative language
h. The voice telling the story
i. The process of revealing the personality of a
character
12. Your questions: author doesn’t answer for suspense.
13. “… where the sea licked greedy lips in the shadows.”
14. Person vs Person; your answer
15. Your answer: (elegant, refined, rich, polite, handsome, etc.)
16. Your answer; something savage/dangerous
17. Your answer (looking for R’s reaction?)
18. Your answer (new breed, animal thought to be extinct, created
animal)
19. Civilized: library, dress, mansion etc. Uncivilized: killed
sparrows, calls himself a savage
20. Your answer
21. Traits: courage, cunning and the ability to reason. Only animal
with all 3 characteristics is human.
22. Humans; compares it to war where men kill men
23. Island’s name, discussion about hunter vs prey, blood-warm
water, anguish scream, shell casing and hunting scene.
 Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify and explain plot structure
(complete a plot diagram) in the short
story.
Analyze how the author creates the setting
in the short story.
Identify the author’s use of foreshadowing.
Identify and explain the type of conflict(s)
in the short story.
24. Answer the yellow box question #4 on pg. 26.
25. How does Zaroff find men to hunt? (pg. 26)
26. What are the rules of Zaroff’s “game”? (pg. 28)
27. In what ways is this “game” an unequal
contest? (pg. 28)
28. What kind of heads do you suppose are in the
general’s new collection? Why do you think
Rainsford is not feeling well? (pg. 28)
29. Rainsford is locked in his room high up in a
tower. What future event do these circumstances
hint at? (pg 29)
1.
Character
2.
Characterization
3.
Figurative language
4.
Foreshadowing
5.
Imagery (sensory imagery)
6.
Irony
7.
Narrator
8.
Plot
9.
Point of view (POV)
10.
Setting
11.
Style
a. Person, place, thing or event that stands for itself
and for something beyond itself as well.
b. Central or main idea of a work of literature
c. The voice telling the story
d. Attitude a writer takes toward a subject, a
character, or the audience
e. Language that appeals to the 5 senses: sight, sound
smell, touch, and taste
f. The use of clues to hint at events that will occur
later in a plot.
g. The particular way in which a writer uses language
such as diction and figurative language
h. The process of revealing the personality of a
character
i. Contrast between expectation and reality and/or
what is said and what is really meant
j. Series of related events that make up a story or
drama
k. Person in poem, story or play
12.
Symbol (symbolism)
13.
Theme
14.
Tone
l. Figures of speech that describes one thing in terms
of another and is not meant to be taken
literally
m. Vantage point from which a writer tells a story
n. Time and place of a story or play
30. Answer the yellow box question #5 on pg.
29.
31. The game between Zaroff and Rainsford is
what type of conflict? (pg. 29)
32. What hints did the writer provide earlier
that Zaroff would force Rainsford into this
contest? (pg. 29)
33. What does Rainsford’s response to Zaroff’s
demand for silence tell you about Rainsford’s
character? (pg. 30)
34. Answer the yellow box question #6 on pg.
30.
1.
2.
3.
How do the 5 aspects of setting effect a
story?
What is the other major form of conflict
besides external conflict?
What are the 5 types of external conflict?
25. Tricks ships into wrecking and uses survivors for prey.
26. They get food, water, hunting knife and a 3 hour start. If
they survive 3 days, they are free to go.
27. Gun vs knife, Zaroff knows island, he has hunting dogs,
prey sailors not hunters.
28. Human, doesn’t like the idea of seeing human heads as
trophies.
29. He is a prisoner and will be forced to hunt with him..
30. Rainsford
31. Person vs Person
32. How Zaroff looked at him, no human compassion
33. Proud man who won’t agree to something wrong just to
save himself.
34. Your prediction.
 Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify and explain plot structure
(complete a plot diagram) in the short
story.
Analyze how the author creates the setting
in the short story.
Identify the author’s use of foreshadowing.
Identify and explain the type of conflict(s)
in the short story.
35. Answer yellow box question #7 on pg. 34.
36. Based on the last 3 paragraphs of the story, what effect does
the “game” seem to have had on Rainsford?
37. Who won the game? How do you know?
 End of story Questions on pg. 36:
#1. Do this as a Plot Diagram NOT as a chart. (between 5-8 main
events)
#3. Using you earlier answers, answer all three bullets about
foreshadowing in the story.
2 Additional questions:

Give a general setting for the story (when and where). What
are the clues that help us figure out the setting?

What are the types of conflict in this story? Explain them.

There will be a comprehension quiz based on the story
tomorrow. We will correct the quiz in class and review the
answers for the in-story questions as well.
35. Your answer: (game over and Zaroff won/game not over
Rainsford somehow survived)
36. Possible responses: he became a beast at boy or it brought out
his killer instinct.
37. Rainsford, he is the one sleeping in the bed.
Q# 1. Discuss as a class
Q# 3.
Island name, Whitney’s dread, 3 gunshots in the dark
 Rainsford talks about hunters and huntees, or prey, says animals don’t
feel fear or pain regarding death.
 Z’s red lips and pointed teeth.

Additional Q 1: Ship near South America (description), Tropical
Island (descriptions) Between WWI and WW2 (Z talks about WWI
But not WW2), takes place over 4 days.
Additional Q 2: Person vs Person: R vs Z and Ivan. Person vs Nature:
R vs ocean and elements on island. Person vs Society: Z vs
societal taboos against hunting/killing people.
 Quiz
for comprehension of “The Most
Dangerous Game” and literary terms for the
unit.