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126 Unit 2 ■ Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

Shifts Happen
INTRODUCING THE WORKSHOP
What exactly is a shift? Shifts can emphasize contrasts within particular sections of
Shifts and Contrasts a text. Often, they are signaled by a physical marker, such as
Select some examples of sudden fiction, flash • a transition word or phrase (e.g., but, however, even though, so, now);
fiction, or incredibly short stories such as • a less frequently used punctuation mark, such as a dash, colon, question
“Sticks” by George Saunders, mark, or parentheses;
“The Birthday Party” by Katherine Brush, • a change in syntax, such as the use of a fragment or short simple sentence;
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs were used with this sample chapter.
“The Mice” by Lydia Davis, or
“Likable” by Deb Olin Unferth, • a change in structure, such as a new paragraph or stanza, OR a change in
“I Don’t Need Anything from Here” by Laszlo speaker or narrator.
Krasznahorkai, Why are shifts important? Shifts often indicate a change in a character’s thinking:
“The Huntress” by Sofia Samatar, a reconsideration, a new insight, or even a new perspective. Generally, authors in-
“Give It Up” by Franz Kafka, clude details before the shift to contrast with details after the shift; such contrasts
“Taylor Swift” by Hugh Behm-Steinberg, can reveal values. If readers can clearly see the conflict between these different
“Good Boys” by Honor Levy, values, they should be able to interpret the text effectively. Indeed, the characteri-
“Grayness” by Sheila Heti, zation and events after a shift are likely to convey the author’s message and point.
“Gravity” by Etgar Keret, As a general rule, look for a significant shift in the last third of a literary work.
“Halloween” by Venita Blackburn, or others you
may find. Contrasts
Working in groups of three, give each group one Some authors structure their texts to include a series of contrasts that run through-
or two stories. Ask students to identify where the out the text. By doing so, they allow the reader to consider two or more ideas. In
story shifts. What is shifting? Ask students how other words, the author is going back and forth between the two elements in oppo-
they know. Does the writer use any physical sition to illustrate a conflict of values.
indicators such as structure, punctuation, etc.? Some writers establish contrasts by including parallel elements or setting up
side-by-side dramatic action called juxtaposition. For example, an author may
structure a text so that two events happen simultaneously as the reader switches
back and forth between them. Or an author may set up clear contrasts between two
WORKSHOP RESOURCES ideas, images, or even settings.
TRM All of the following resources for this
section can be found in the Teacher’s Resource Structure and Meaning
Materials on the digital platform and individually
at point of use. To make a thoughtful, engaging interpretation, you must notice these contrasts
and juxtapositions. Identify and analyze the details on each side of the contrast
Handout: Shifts and Contrast as well: they will help you explain the shift in relationship to the work as a whole.
Graphic Organizer: Analyzing Shifts and
Contrasts Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.

INSIDER Contrasts and shifts reveal tensions. Understanding
AP CLASSROOM RESOURCES and explaining tensions within a text lead to an interpretation.
®
AP ® TIP But you must do more than just identify shifts and contrasts:
®
AP Daily Videos you also need to explain how they contribute to your overall
®
AP Topic Questions sense of the text’s meaning.

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126 Unit 2 Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

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