Please stop telling students that "the protagonist is the 'good guy.'" I get them as tenth graders and they have it so well drilled into their heads that four months into the school year, they can NOT identify the main character of "The Last Boast."
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I thought I had already posted this comment, but I just wanted to say that I've been there. I do have a great handout that I stole from someone way back in 1998 that does a really good job explaining all kinds of terms with great examples. It discusses the difference between when one might use the terms "main character" and "protagonist." If you would like, I could e-mail it to you. Just e-mail me at kknighton@jones.k12.ga.us and I'll be glad to let you take a look to see what you think.
Snort. Ugh...
I talk about this with my students all the time. I use the example of Tony Soprano or Michael Corleone. They are both bad guys, they kill people, they are dishonest... but you like them and you are cheering for them.
HAHAHAHA.
I teach an entire lesson based on disabusing 7th graders of this notion. Same w/antagonist as "bad guy." (Oh yeah? Try Hermione Granger on for size.)
In the same vein, I'd also like to add to teachers to please stop teaching that the climax of a story is the “most exciting moment”. Keep teaching that and kids will think the climax of every book has to have an excitement level like the assault upon the Death Star.
It's the moment with the most tension! There doesn't have to be a fight! Argh! (Sound of English teacher pulling his hair out.)
-Ian
www.teachthefantastic.blogspot.com
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