Lesson 1.04
Objectives (Learning Goals)
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Identify the theme of a short story
Conclude analysis of a short story
Write a paragraph on the theme of a short story
Academic Vocabulary
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THEME
o Definition:
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Setting
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Protagonist
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Rising Action
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o Definition:
Climax
o Definition:
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Falling Action
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Resolution
o Definition:
o Definition:
o Definition:
o Definition:
o
In this lesson, we learn how the THEME (life lesson or moral of a story) develops through the elements of a
story. We learn that the PROTAGONIST (the main character in the story) goes through many conflicts in the
story. We see these CONFLICTS (obstacles and challenges) that the protagonist goes through develop in the
RISING ACTION events. All of the conflicts and challenges are resolved when the story reaches the CLIMAX or
turning point in the story. Once the story reaches the climax, not many events will be left in the story. The
story will have a few FALLING ACTION events and the THEME will be revealed in the RESOLUTION (the part of
the story where all the loose ends are tied up and we learn the “moral” or life lesson of the story).
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Read the story, The Reefs,
The Reefs
By Marcella Morris
She clutched her lab work to her side walking briskly towards school. The snow fell in typical New York flurries and
the ground was still icy from last night’s freeze. Careful not to slip, she climbed the steps and crossed the campus
towards the science building.
“What am I doing?” she murmured. Sophie’s worse habit was talking to herself in public. “I have been warned”.
“You are just a high school kid, Sophie”, they warned. “What makes you think you are capable of solving this crucial
environmental issue? Stop wasting your time”. The professors would not give her laboratory time to complete
research nor would they share their expertise with her.
But, she could not stop.
After that snorkeling trip she took with her aunt to the coral reefs, she felt that something had shifted inside her. The
snorkeling guide made one fact very clear–these colonies of tiny organisms would not last. In fact, we’d be lucky if they
lasted 5 more years. She cared about the safety of these coral reefs more than she has cared about anything for a long,
long time. She had to do something for the fragile, endangered habitat with its fish, mollusks, worms, crustaceans and
many more.
So, she used her money to create a lab at her aunt’s house. She worked tirelessly–endlessly–sleeping only when she had
to.
“It’s what mom and dad would have done”, she thought.
Her best friend Sam, would hang out with her everyday–eating pizza , fries, and whatever else he could get his hands on,
keeping her company with his humor while Sophie worked on her experiments. And now, she has a biological solution
in her hands.
She hesitated at the door to the labs. Nervously, she shifted her lab report from one hand to the other.
“I know that I have an innovative approach to solving the coral reef issue and I know I can help”, she said to no one.
The image of being ridiculed by these professors, delayed her entry. She stood outside the door, wanting to run back–
wanting to hide–glued to the icy spot.
“Hey, Sophie!” She turned at the unexpected sound of Sam’s voice.
“I’ve been…trying to catch up with you”, he panted–out of breath. “Let’s go in and…show them…what you’ve got”.
Sophie tilted her head, smiled at Sam and opened the door. She walked confidently to the front, laid out her research on
the podium and began her presentation. When her presentation ended, it was to the enthusiastic sound of the scientists’
applause.
2. Identify the plot elements of the story under the graphic organizer. Write in complete sentences.
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Setting: The setting of the story The Reefs is
Protagonist: The protagonist in The Reefs is
Rising Action:
Conflict:
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Climax:
Falling Action:
Resolution:
3. Write one full paragraph (or more) in response to this question. What is the theme of the story and
how does theme develop?
Make sure to include each of the following in your paragraph:
 A topic sentence that states the theme and mentions the title and author.
 Several body sentences that support your answer by analyzing the setting, the protagonist, the
rising action, climax and resolution.
 A conclusion sentence that sums up what you have written in your paragraph.
 Proofread your paragraph for complete sentences, proper punctuation, and correct spelling.
Here is a SAMPLE THEME paragraph that contains all of the required elements:
Use the sentence starters to help you develop your THEME paragraph for the short story The Reefs:
The Reefs, by __________ has a theme of “
.” The theme develops in the story as the protagonist,
The author develops the theme perfectly by
4. Look at the Lesson Rubric and give yourself a GRADE in each section. This is the
SAME rubric your teacher will be using when she grades you on this lesson:
5. Save this file to your computer
6. Submit this file under the 1.04 assessment in the assessments tab.