Short Stories
About the authors
Literary terms
Story Plot
Story Plot
Setting – where and when the
story occurred
 Where?
 When?
Protagonist
 the
main character in a story, novel,
drama, or other literary work
Antagonist
• the character who works against the main
character.
Theme – the big idea, the
message or moral of the story
 Possible
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themes:
Crime doesn’t pay
Friendship sometimes means sacrifice
Family is important
Do not act like someone you are not
Be careful what you wish for
Sacrifices bring rewards
Love conquers all
Point of View – the
perspective of the one telling
the story
1st Person – narrator is
the character in the
story
-- Look for pronouns – I,
me, we, us
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Point of View – the
perspective of the one telling
the story
2nd person – narrator tells
story to someone
 Look for pronoun – you
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Point of View – the
perspective of the one telling
the story
3rd person – narrator is not a character
 3rd person omniscent – narrator relates to
the thoughts, feelings, and actions of ALL
characters
 3rd
person limited – narrator tells what ONE
person think, feels, and observes
 Look
for pronouns – he, she, it , they, them
Conflict
- a struggle between opposing forces
 Internal
Conflict: takes place inside the
character
 Roger
vs. himself - should he run away?
 What should Mrs. Jones do with this boy?
 External
Conflict: a character’s struggle
against a force outside himself or herself
 Roger
tries to steal Mrs. Jones’ purse.
 Mrs. Jones grabs Roger.
Story Plot
About the Author of “The Scholarship Jacket”
Marta Salinas
 She was born in _1949__ in Coalinga___,
__CA__.
 She received her degree from __University_
of California__ in creative writing__.
 She is an _environmental activist_ as well as
a _writer_.
 She has published several _short stories_ in
__journals__ and __anthologies__.
Story Plot for “The Scholarship Jacket”
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1. Martha, a poor Mexican American girl, living in Texas hopes to earn the
“Scholarship jacket” given to the class valedictorian.
2. Martha overhears two of her teachers arguing over who should win the
scholarship jacket.
2. Mr. Boone wants to give the jacket to a girl named Joann because her father
is very powerful.
2. The principal calls Martha to his office the next day.
2. The school board decided to charge 15 dollars for the jacket this year.
2. Martha cries on her way home.
2. Martha asks her grandfather for the money for the jacket.
2. grandfather refuses to pay on principle.
2. Martha tells the principal why her grandfather won’t pay.
2. Martha tells him to give it to Joann
3. Martha is awarded the scholarship jacket.
4. Martha sees Mr. Schmidt and he congratulates her.
4. Martha rushes home to tell her grandfather.
5.Martha discovers her grandfather was right all along.