READ TO SUCCEED

READ TO SUCCEED As you are rereading the short story, it is important that you make a deliberate point of gathering the following information: 1. Determine who is telling the story. (NARRATOR) (POINT OF VIEW) 2. Note where and when events take place, and monitor changes in location carefully. (SETTING) (TIME AND PLACE) 3. Begin immediately to keep a chronological list of concrete events as they occur. (PLOT SUMMARY) (IMPORTANT EVENTS) 4. Identify the main character as soon as possible. Pay special attention to every detail concerning this person, such as age and personal habits. 5. Note the names of new characters as they are introduced. What role in the story does each play? How do relationships between them develop? 6. Watch the main character to see what goals are pursued. What are the obstacles to these goals? (CONFLICT) Having read the story methodically as outlined above, you are at a great advantage when you begin to “read between the lines”, interpreting and making important judgments about the story and the characters. (TEXTUAL ANALYSIS) (THEME)