ENGLISH II HONORS
POINTS OF VIEW
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Often, the first decision a writer has to make when crafting a story is – which point of view would
work best? What makes point of view such a powerful tool in storytelling, and how can different points of view change a story?
INTRODUCTION
One of the most popular forms of fiction, the short story, was first defined by Edgar Allan Poe. He was sure that
“worldly interests” prevented most readers from concentrating on reading, so he felt that a short, concentrated tale
that could be read in a single sitting and that created a single, powerful impression was the best type of fiction.
Today, innumerable writers have followed Poe’s recommendations, creating stories on a vast array of subjects.
Short stories are characterized by a limited number of characters, restricted settings, and a narrow range of
action; but, short stories share common elements with other forms of fiction including plot, characterization, point
of view, setting, symbols, tone, irony, and theme. As we read through the selected short stories for this unit, we
will primarily be focusing on various points of view as well as reviewing common elements of fiction.
KEY LITERARY TERMS
You will need to have a working knowledge of the following terms for the unit test. All definitions will be given in
class, so be sure to take notes.
point of view
dramatic monologue
interior monologue
letter narration
diary narration
subjective narration
memoir or observer
detached autobiography
single character viewpoint
no character viewpoint
symbolism
theme
irony
setting – exposition
conflict (internal/external)
round character
flat character
dynamic character
static character
KEY WORKS AND PAGE REFERENCES
“A Telephone Call” by Dorothy Parker, p.15
“I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olsen, p.21
“Straight Pool” by John O’Hara, p. 32
“The Lady’s Maid” by Katherine Mansfield, p. 36
“Jupiter Doke, Brigadier General” by Ambrose Bierce, p. 126
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, p. 138
“The Somebody” by Danny Santiago, p. 181
“My Side of the Matter” by Truman Capote, p. 189
“A & P” by John Updike, p. 220
“First Confession” by Frank O’Connor, p. 263
“Birthday” by David Wong Louie, p. 286
“The Voice from the Wall” by Amy Tan, p. 306
“The Stone Boy” by Gina Berriault, p. 383
“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, p. 564
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
There will be five writing assignments with this unit. To demonstrate your understanding of each point of
view, you will need to write your own story using the narration style we discussed in class that day. If you
OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL
ENGLISH II HONORS
are absent on the day of discussion, you can find a description of the narration style in your Points of View
book and get the notes from a classmate. You are responsible for completing the assignment for the next
class.
Each time you are asked to complete a writing assignment, it must follow these guidelines:
 Write an original story using the assigned point of view.
 Write no more and no less than one page typed (normal 12 pt. font), double-spaced, ½-1’’ margins.
 Include an original title, your name and class period.
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE:
DATE
P1: 9/12
P 2,6:
9/13
P1: 9/14
P 2, 6:
9/15
P1: 9/16
P 2, 6:
9/19
P1: 9/20
ASSIGNMENTS
DATE
Turn in summer reading essay assignment
Check out POV books
Introduce POV unit
Take notes on point of view, interior
monologue, conflict.
HW: Read “A Telephone Call” and “I Stand
Here Ironing” and your 1-page typed, original
interior monologue is due next class.
LATE WORK NOT ACCEPTED!




Turn in HW
Go over POV Socratic Sem. Assignment
Analyze and discuss “A Telephone Call” and
“I Stand Here Ironing”
 Take notes on dramatic monologue,
symbolism, theme, tone, setting.
 Read interior monologues
HW: 1) Read “Straight Pool” and “Lady’s Maid”
and your 1-page typed, original dramatic
monologue is due next class. LATE WORK
NOT ACCEPTED! 2) Read your assigned story
and create your list of question.
 Turn in HW
 Analyze and discuss “Straight Pool” and
“Lady’s Maid”
 Take notes on letter and diary narration
 Read dramatic monologues, round/flat and
dynamic/static characters
HW: 1) Read “Jupiter Doke” and “Wallpaper”
and your 1-page typed, original diary narration is
due next class. LATE WORK NOT ACCEPTED!
2) Continue working on your group presentation.
 Turn in HW
 Discuss “Jupiter Doke” and “Wallpaper”



P1: 9/22
P 2, 6:
9/23
P1: 9/26
P 2, 6:
9/27
ASSIGNMENTS
Turn in HW
Groups #1-3 discuss “The Somebody,” “My
Side,” and “A & P”
 Take notes on detached autobiography and
memoir or observer narration
 Read subjective narrations
HW: 1) Read “First,” “Birthday” and “The Voice
from the Wall” and your 1-page typed, original
observer narration is due next class. LATE
WORK NOT ACCEPTED! 2) Groups #4-6
Socratic Sem. Assignment due next class.
 Turn in HW
 Groups #4-6 discuss “First,” “Birthday” and
“The Voice from the Wall”
 Take notes on anonymous narration and
single character point of view
 Read observer narrations
HW: 1) Read “The Stone Boy” and “The Lottery”
2) Groups #7-8 Socratic Sem. Assignment due
next class.


Groups #7-8 discuss “The Stone Boy” and
“The Lottery”
 Finalize “Point of View” section of i-Notebook
 Discuss Table of Contents and grading rubric.
 Review for test
HW: 1) Study for test. 2) Finalize POV section
of your i-Notebook. Make sure your pages are
numbered and your table of contents is
complete.

P1: 9/28
P 2, 6:
9/30
P1: 10/3
OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL


Turn in i-Notebook after essay
Take POV Unit Test
ENGLISH II HONORS
P 2, 6:
9/21
Notes subjective nar., characterization, irony.
Read diary narrations
Work on Socratic Seminar Assignment
HW: 1) Read “The Somebody,” “My Side” and
“A & P” and your 1-page typed, original
subjective narration is due next class. LATE
WORK NOT ACCEPTED. 2) Groups # 1-3
Socratic Sem. Assignment due next class.



HW: Bring your ID to check out English textbook.
P 2, 6:
10/4
OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL