“USER FRIENDLY”

By: Ernesto Bethancourt

LITERARY FOCUS Cause and Effect Characterization (including character

types) Plot Progression Theme

USER FRIENDLYBY T. ERNESTO BETHANCOURT

Friends come in all shapes and sizes.

In this story, Kevin turns to an unusual friend to help him with a problem. His friend is Louis, his computer!

USER FRIENDLYBY T. ERNESTO BETHANCOURT

CAUSE AND EFFECT

CAUSE AND EFFECT

Cause and Effect Words

for this reasonthussincein order toas a resultthereforeconsequentlybecausedue tofor this reasonon account of

In a cause-and-effect relationship, one event causes another event to happen. The effect is what happens, and the cause is why the event happens.

USER FRIENDLYREADING SKILLS: RECOGNIZING CAUSES AND EFFECTS

Look at these pictures of two related events. Which is the cause? Which is the effect?

USER FRIENDLYREADING SKILLS: RECOGNIZING CAUSES AND EFFECTS

In “User Friendly,” Kevin accidentally starts a chain of events that leads to trouble.

A causal chain is a series of events in which each event causes another one to happen.

Cause

Effect

Effect/Cause

In your textbook, there are questions that will help you recognize causes and effects in the story. When you see the symbol, stop and answer the question next to the open-book sign.

To help you figure out causes and effects, follow these steps:

• Identify what happens first.

• Look for hidden or multiple causes and results.

• Ask, “What happens because of that?”

USER FRIENDLYREADING SKILLS: RECOGNIZING CAUSES AND EFFECTS

USER FRIENDLYREADING SKILLS: RECOGNIZING CAUSES AND EFFECTS

A graphic organizer like this flowchart can help you record the chain of events as you read.

Cause

Effect

Effect/Cause

THEME

THEME

THEME

USER FRIENDLYLITERARY FOCUS: DISCOVERING THEME

One way to find a story’s theme is to analyze the characters. As you read, ask yourself these questions:

• What important comments do the characters make?

• What situations do they face?

• What do they learn by the end of the story?

USER FRIENDLYLITERARY FOCUS: DISCOVERING THEME

Another way to find a story’s theme is to think about the title and what it might mean.

To analyze the title, ask yourself questions like “What is the literal meaning of the title?” and “What related subjects come to mind?”

USER FRIENDLYLITERARY FOCUS: DISCOVERING THEME

Here’s one more tip to help you discover a story’s theme: Look for key passages that seem to make important statements about life.

Ambition often has a price.

Ambition often has a price.

Friendships have their ups and downs.

Friendships have their ups and downs.

Accepting responsibility is difficult.

Accepting responsibility is difficult.

POSSIBLE THEMES: GIVE SUPPORTING EVIDENCE FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Friends come in many forms.

People aren’t always aware of the effects their actions have.

You should treat others as you wish to be treated.

Things are not always as they seem.

CHARACTERIZATION

KEVIN’S CHARACTERISTICS Kevin is ___________________. I know this

because _______________________________.

Kevin is ___________________. I know this because _______________________________.

Kevin is ___________________. I know this because_______________________________.

LOUIS’S CHARACTERISTICS Louis is ___________________. I know this

because _______________________________.

Louis is ___________________. I know this because _______________________________.

GINNY, CHUCK, PARENTS- CHARACTERISTICS

Ginny is ___________________. I know this because _______________________________.

Chuck is ___________________. I know this because _______________________________.

Kevin’s parents are _____________________. I know this because _____________________.

COMPREHENSION

QUESTIONS

Where does the story take place?     ·         Kevin’s father works as a —     ·         Kevin is worried about all of the following problems :     ·         Which words best describe Kevin’s character?     ·         How does Ginny Linke react to Kevin?    

·         What is one effect of Louis’s acts of revenge?

·         What is the effect of patching Louis to a new modem?     ·         After Kevin’s father returns home and works on the

computer, he —     ·         How did Kevin’s father change Louis?     ·         What caused Louis to act as he did?

 The story describes a computer named Louis that —     · The printout that Kevin’s father shows him at the end of the

story probably expresses Louis’s —     ·         The computer’s character is revealed to Kevin by     ·         How does the title reinforce the story’s theme?