MONSTER

1. Walter Dean Myers MONSTER

2. Background Notes • The name of the protagonist, or main character, in our novel is STEVE HARMON. The format of this novel is quite different than anything you may have read in the past. • This book is written in a format called: multi-genre • Multi is a prefix that means many. • Genre is a term that refers to class or category of writing, such as novel, short story, biography, essay, and so on. • The novel, Monster, goes back and forth between two separate genres: • Steve’s journal • A real-life movie script that Steve is writing while he is on trial.

3. Background Notes • Both Steve’s journal AND his movie are being written while he is serving time at Manhattan Detention Center, a prison near Harlem, New York. • This book is written in such a way that, as the reader, you can assume the role of jury and judge in his trial.

4. Background Notes An essential question to keep in mind as you read is: Are all people accused of crimes considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law?

5. Flashback Guided Notes • Flashback is a literary technique.

6. Flashback Characteristics • Interrupts the flow of the main or present action. • The action of the story goes to an earlier time. • Events in the flashback occur like they are happening in the moment. • When the flashback is over, the action returns to the main story being told.

7. Common Triggers of Flashback 1. A memory, thought, or event related to the main story. 2. A discussion or a meeting between characters in the present story that has a connection to the events in the flashback.

8. What is your job as the reader when you notice a flashback? 1. First, identify what triggers it. 2. Next, figure out how it relates to the main story. 3. Finally, explain what it helps you understand about the main story.

9. Examples of Flashback Drew Carey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzhzutMBqs8 Monster, pp. 18-19 1. What triggers the flashback? 2. How does it relate to the main story? 3. What does it help you understand about what is going on in the main story?

10. Non-examples of Flashback • A memory • Telling someone a story about something that happened in the past. • Explaining an event that occurred in the past. • Hinting at something that might happen next.

11. Subjective vs. Objective Point of View • What differences do you notice in the way the passages are written? What kind of details and information do you notice in each passage?

12. Subjective or Objective? Image One: Describe the image.

13. Subjective or Objective? Image Two: Describe the image.

14. Objective Writing Definition: • Writing that presents facts without revealing the writer’s feelings and opinions. • Genres in which objective writing is likely found: • News reports • Newspapers • Textbooks • Objective Writing is like… • A photograph, crime scene, an obituary, etc.

15. Subjective Writing Definition: • Writing in which personal feelings, thoughts, judgments, and opinions of the writer are revealed. • Genres in which subjective writing is likely found: • Editorials • Personal essays (remember personal narrative?) • Autobiography • Subjective writing is like… • art, music, poetry, blogs, etc.

16. WARNING! • Some texts combine objective and subjective types of writing. • Can you think of a book that combines these two types of writing?

17. Subjective or Objective?

18. Subjective or Objective? The Supreme Court is considering whether government regulators may still police the airwaves for curse words and other coarse content at a time when so many Americans have unregulated cable television and the Internet is awash in easily accessible adult material.The justices are hearing arguments today in a First Amendment case that pits the Obama administration against the nation's television networks. The material at issue includes the isolated use of expletives as well as fines against broadcasters who showed a woman's nude buttocks on a 2003 episode of ABC's "NYPD Blue.“ The broadcasters want the court to overturn a 1978 decision that upheld the Federal Communications Commission's authority to regulate both radio and television content, at least during the hours when children are likely to be watching or listening. That period includes the prime-time hours before 10 p.m.

19. You choose! • As we read today look for examples of subjective and objective write. • Exit Slip: Identify an example of either subjective or objective writing from Monster (write exact quote from book), and explain why it is subjective or objective. Your response should be several sentences in length.

20. Subjective or Objective? • Article: Unsinkable Ants • Deluge- an overflowing of the land by water • Use complete sentences to explain why the article is either subjective or objective. Use at least one detail from the text. • Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A042J0IDQK4

21. Read and annotate As you read the article today you will make annotations using text coding symbols and notes/comments. Your goal is to have 5 – 10 annotations on your article. Reread if needed. Text coding symbols: ?? Raises question/Confusing * Seems important P Make a prediction C Connections S Subjective Writing O Objective Writing If a word … Gets repeated Seems important Is unknown Circle it!

22. Reading Monster As you read independently today you will use Post-It notes and text coding symbols as a during reading strategy. Your goal is to use at least five (5) Post-It notes. When you want to make a note, write it on the Post-It and stick it to the appropriate page. Your notes will drive our class discussion. You will read for 30 -35 minutes. Text coding symbols: C Characterization ?? Raises question/Confusing * Seems important P Make a prediction F Flashback S Subjective Writing O Objective Writing If a word … Gets repeated Seems important Is unknown Box it: WORD