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Introducing the Story
Literary Skills Focus: Character Traits
Reading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters
Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer
American Historyby Judith Ortiz Cofer
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American Historyby Judith Ortiz Cofer
What are the consequences of judging other people?
American HistoryIntroducing the Story
Click on the title to start the video.
All loss, all pain, is particular; the universe remains to the heart unhurt.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1841
American HistoryIntroducing the Story
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When characters tell you their stories, they also tell you a lot about character traits.
American HistoryLiterary Skills Focus: Character Traits
Character traits include personalities, values, likes, and dislikes.
hot-tempered honest likes science
Round characters have many sides to them.
To many of her teachers, Lucy was best known as the star pupil. To her coach she was the perfect team player. To her boss she was the employee of the month. What Lucy really wanted to be, though, was an astronaut, soaring through the galaxy and exploring the stars.
They show a variety of character traits.
To many of her teachers, Lucy was best known as the star pupil. To her coach, she was the perfect team player. To her boss, she was the employee of the month. What Lucy really wanted to be, though, was an astronaut, soaring through the galaxy and exploring the stars.
American HistoryLiterary Skills Focus: Character Traits
Lucy’s various traits make her a round character.
•She is studious.
•She is responsible.
•She is hardworking.
•She is daring.
If Lucy displayed just one or two of these traits, however, she’d be considered a flat character.
American HistoryLiterary Skills Focus: Character Traits
Mary was envious. She’d do anything to be the top salesperson in her department, but she still hadn’t made it.
Mary’s jealousy over Joe’s sales record filled her with rage. Day and night, it was all she could think of. She would do anything to steal Joe’s top spot.
You can determine more about a character’s traits based on what he or she says or does.
Based on these traits, how would you sum up Mary’s character?
Mary was envious. She’d do anything to be the top salesperson in her department, but she still hadn’t made it.
Mary’s jealousy over Joe’s sales record filled her with rage. Day and night, it was all she could think of. She would do anything to steal Joe’s top spot.
American HistoryLiterary Skills Focus: Character Traits
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American HistoryReading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters
An inference is an educated guess.
When you make inferences about a character’s personality, you base your inferences on the character’s
• words,
• thoughts
• and actions
Characters’ words can give you clues about their personalities.
I know it’s your birthday, Grandma, but if I don’t stay at the office until I finish my reports, I’ll never get a raise.
It sounds as though he’s more concerned about work and money than his family.
American HistoryReading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters
Characters’ thoughts can help you see what kinds of people they are.
He’s pretty hard on himself. He doesn’t seem to have very strong self-esteem.
There’s no point in asking her to the dance. She’s way too good for me. I don’t have a chance with her.
American HistoryReading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters
American HistoryReading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters
Characters’ actions can help you make educated guesses about their personalities.
She seems fun-loving and perhaps full of mischief.
She smiles and sticks her tongue out at the camera.
American HistoryReading Skills Focus: Making Inferences About Characters
Pg #Narrator’s Words, Thoughts, Actions, and Interactions
My Inferences
146 “The narrator’s cheeks burn.”
146“I was miserable, since I had forgotten my gloves . . . ”
The narrator doesn’t like the cold.
Into Action: To help you understand her personality, take notes on the thoughts and actions of the main character.
Into Action: Character Inference Chart
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American HistoryWriting Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer
Although the author uses dialogue sparingly in this story, she uses it to great effect to reveal information about her characters.
Find It in Your Reading
“Hey, Skinny Bones, pump it, girl. Ain’t you got no energy today?” Gail, the biggest of the black girls who had the other end of the rope yelled, “Didn’t you eat your rice and beans and pork chops for breakfast today?”
As you read, comment in a notebook about the purpose of dialogue in the story.
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Vocabulary
discreet adj.: careful; showing good judgment.
American HistoryVocabulary
infatuated adj.: carried away by shallow or foolish love.
vigilant adj.: watchful.
elation n.: great joy.
solace n.: comfort; easing of grief.
American HistoryVocabulary
Discreet is often used to describe someone who shows good judgment in dealing with a sensitive or embarrassing subject.
If you are discreet about saying something, you don’t just blurt it out.
What is a discreet way to let your friend know that she has something on her face?
American HistoryVocabulary
What’s the best way to do this?
a. donate all of his clothes to charity
b. suggest a family shopping spree
c. padlock his closet
Your aunt has asked you to find a discreet way to get your uncle to update his wardrobe.
American HistoryVocabulary
What’s the best way to do this?
a. donate all of his clothes to charity
b.suggest a family shopping spree
c. padlock his closet
Your aunt has asked you to find a discreet way to get your uncle to update his wardrobe.
American HistoryVocabulary
People often say that those who are infatuated with each other do not have a relationship based on true love.
What is the difference between being in love with someone and being infatuated with someone?
Being infatuated is like having a crush; you are swept up in powerful, but often foolish, feelings.
American HistoryVocabulary
Jennifer is infatuated with her favorite band’s lead guitarist.
Which word would best describe how she feels about him?
a. interested
b. disgusted
c. obsessed
American HistoryVocabulary
Jennifer is infatuated with her favorite band’s lead guitarist.
Which word would best describe how she feels about him?
a. interested
b. disgusted
c. obsessed
American HistoryVocabulary
Vigilant means watchful, alert, and on the lookout for danger.
David is vigilant about his health: He visits his doctor often.
What other habits might someone who is vigilant about his or her health have?
American HistoryVocabulary
a. install security cameras
b. punish shoplifters severely
c. hire more employees
The store’s owner has warned the manager that she must be more vigilant about catching shoplifters.
Which of these steps might she take in order to do that?
American HistoryVocabulary
a.install security cameras
b. punish shoplifters severely
c. hire more employees
The store’s owner has warned the manager that she must be more vigilant about catching shoplifters.
Which of these steps might she take in order to do that?
American HistoryVocabulary
Elation usually refers to the kind of joy that comes from a proud accomplishment.
This graduate is clearly showing the elation he feels after reaching an important milestone.
Can you think of a time when you felt elation?
American HistoryVocabulary
Eva was filled with an overwhelming feeling of elation.
Which of the following events seems most likely to have caused this feeling?
a. She missed the winning shot at the buzzer.
b. She was promoted to manager at work.
c. She woke up late for the first day of school.
American HistoryVocabulary
Eva was filled with an overwhelming feeling of elation.
Which of the following events seems most likely to have caused this feeling?
a. She missed the winning shot at the buzzer.
b.She was promoted to manager at work.
c. She woke up late for the first day of school.
Someone who provides solace gives you consolation, a shoulder to lean on in difficult times.
American HistoryVocabulary
When they need comforting, young children often look to their parents for solace.
Where do you turn for solace when times get tough?
American HistoryVocabulary
Kevin wished for someone who could offer him solace after he learned of his friend’s accident.
What is he wishing for?
a. someone to talk to
b. some time alone
c. a way to help his friend
American HistoryVocabulary
Kevin wished for someone who could offer him solace after he learned of his friend’s accident.
What is he wishing for?
a. someone to talk to
b. some time alone
c. a way to help his friend
The End
