Lesson Three
1. Read through the attachment titled “Adjectives”
2. Complete the attachment titled “Lather and Nothing Else”
3. Complete “TV Assignment One”
Adjectives
Adjectives
You can also see a powerpoint presentation on adjectives here
http://languagearts.pppst.com/adjectives-adverbs.html.
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An adjective is a word that describes a noun or a pronoun.
Adjectives provide information such as What kind? How many?
Which one? How much?
Articles are adjectives - a, an, and the. The is a definite article because it
indicates a specific person, place, or thing. A and an are therefore indefinite
articles.
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Proper adjectives are created from proper nouns, and are capitalized.
The Brazilian singer was particularly good.
Compound adjectives are combinations of words, joined by a hyphen, that are used
to describe a noun.
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Tony lost his ten-speed bicycle after the party.
Most adjectives have three forms: positive, comparative, and superlative.
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Positive
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Comparative
Superlative
rough
rougher
roughest
hard
harder
hardest
good
better
best
Adjectives ordinarily precede nouns, but they can also function as subject
complements following linking verbs. When an adjective functions as a
subject complement, it describes the subject.
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Justice is blind.
Tom was angry.
Problems can arise with verbs such as smell, taste, look, and feel, which may
or may not be linking. If the word following one of these verbs describes
the subject, it is an adjective; if it modifies the verb, it is an adverb.
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Adjective: The detective looked cautious.
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Adverb: The detective looked cautiously for the fingerprints. (Hacker
153)
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adverb
Hacker, Diane. “Grammatical Sentences.” A Canadian Writer's Reference.
Scarborough, Ontario:
Nelson Thomson Learning. 2001.
Lather and Nothing Else
MORE ABOUT STORY! As we continue to look at short
stories it's important we have a "common" vocabulary to share as we
talk about them.
REVIEW the attached handout on Short Story Terminology.
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Let me know questions you have about the terminology... are
there parts you don't understand? Do all the pieces fit in with what
you have examined before with stories?
Review the short ad the attached short story "Lather and
Nothing Else."
Vocabulary is an important part of understanding literature, and
being able to discuss it. Although vocabulary can sometimes be
confusing, take the time to learn what each of the words refer to,
and how they apply to what you read, see, and listen to.
Use the questions below to ensure you are understanding the
application of the short story terminology
You need to hand in your answers for the questions dealing with "Lather and
Nothing Else".
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1. What is the barber's reaction to the Captain when he recognizes the man in his
shop?
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2. Why has the Captain ordered the entire town to the patio of the school to see the
four rebels?
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3. The barber admits that he is “secretly a revolutionary” but he has another role to
perform once the Captain enters his shop and demands a shave. What is his other
role and how does it conflict with his role as a rebel?
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4. As the barber is sharpening his razor for the second time, the Captain opens his
eyes and tells the barber that he should go to the school grounds later that day
because “we'll have a good time”. What is the Captain planning to do, and why
does he tell the barber this just as he is sharpening his razor?
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5. Which part of the story corresponds to:
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the initial incident,
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rising action,
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climax,
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resolution.
Be aware that the definition of climax is the decision or action of the protagonist
that determines his or her outcome.
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6. How would you describe the Captain and the Barber. Elements that identify both
their characteristics can be found in dialogue, actions, and thoughts. How would
you support your descriptions with incidents from the story.
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7. The barber knows how he feels about his situation. He is trembling, sweating
profusely in the hot room, and he “cannot keep [his] thoughts in order”. How does
he believe the Captain is feeling as he is being shaved?
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8. The author uses some effective imagery to convey the imagined grisly act of the
barber killing Torres. What are some examples of effective imagery that contain
repeated words?
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9. When the blood is described, the author employs an effective simile. What is the
sentence that contains the simile?
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10. Our last short story examined justice within a family context, this story
examines the concept of justice within a country. How is justice achieved or not
achieved in this story? Was the barber a just man?
TV Assignment One
For your homework, you get to watch T.V.! In many respects, the modern situation
comedy is comparable to the traditional short story. They are both short in length,
have uncomplicated plot lines, involve only a few characters, and generally have
one central conflict. Most half-hour comedies on television fit this description.
Read over the questions first, and then choose an appropriate half hour comedy to
watch (or another show that you can apply the different elements of the short story
to).
Choose only one episode of a series.
If you cannot answer the following questions, then choose a more appropriate
show.
Name of T.V. Sitcom
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1. Who is the protagonist? Antagonist?
2. Describe the setting (include place and approximate year).
3. What is the central conflict/problem that the protagonist is facing in this
episode? Is it physical, psychological, or both? Explain.
4. Following are three ways in which a protagonist's personality is revealed.
Choose appropriate personality traits from the characterization handout from week
2. Then provide specific examples from the show to support your choices.
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Protagonist's Actions:
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Protagonist's Speech:
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Other Characters' Speech:
5. Describe the plot development by identifying the various plot stages
(introduction, complications, climax, resolution).
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Introduction
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Complications
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Climax
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Resolution
6. Describe the mood throughout the show (this is likely to vary: provide examples
to illustrate). Remember, mood refers to how the audience feels.
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7. Write a thematic statement explaining the theme/message of this episode?