1.What is the mood at the beginning of the story?Explain.
2.Choose some words, phrases, sentences from the exposition which help to describe or set the mood.Cite them.Explain what they mean.
3.What effect does the opening (exposition) of the selection have on you (the reader)? Explain.
4.Have you read an exposition similar (like) this one in another story?Explain.
SETTING (time, place, culture)
1.Where does the story take place?Explain.
2.What was happening in history at that same time?Explain.
3.What is the culture of the story?Explain.
4.Are there any similarities between this setting and any other setting you have read in a different story?Explain.
THEME (the meaning, moral, or message about life or human nature that is communicated by a literary work; sometimes stated, sometimes inferred)
1.What is the theme of the story? Epxlain.
2.Is this theme universal?Explain.
3.What did the author want to tell you or teach you? Explain
4.Have you read a story with a similar theme?Explain.
5.Is the theme stated or inferred? Explain.
CHARACTERS
1.Describe the main character(s) in the story.Support your description with quotes from the selection.
2.Are any of the characters in the story similar to each other? Explain.
3.Which character do you identify with, like, or dislike?Explain.
4.Is there a character you feel is REALISTIC or one that is UNREALISTIC?Explain.
5.Who is (are) the static character(s) and the dynamic character(s)?Explain.
6.What events motivate the character(s) to action?Explain.
WRITER’ S STYLE
1.Does the writer (author) use vivid descriptions?Explain/Prove/Cite
2.Does the writer (author) use dialogue to develop characters and plot?Explain/Prove/Cite
3.Does the author use dialect to developcharacters and plot? Explain/Prove/Cite
4.Is the story told in first or third person? What is the effect?
5.Have you read a story with the same style? Explain.
PLOT (sequence of related events that moves the story along)
1.Does the plot of the story go in a straight line from one event to the next?Create a plot timeline to prove it.
2.Does the plot go in a straight line with loops (breakaways form the sequence, such as foreshadowing or flashbacks)?Prove it with a loopy timeline.
3.Is the plot believable?Explain.
4.Have you reada story with the same type of plot?Explain.
CONFLICT(S)
1.What are the major conflicts in the story? Explain.
2.Are the conflicts external or internal? Explain.
3.Have you read a story with similar conflicts?Explain.
4.Can you relate to the conflicts?Explain.
5.Are the conflicts universal?
TURNING POINT
1.Is there one major turning point in the story?Explain.
2.Are there various turning points in the story?Explain.
3.Is there a message in the turning point? Explain.
4.Have you read a story with a similar turning point? Explain.
RESOLUTION (conflict resolution)
1.What was the mood at the end of the story? Explain.
2.Choose some words, phrases, sentences from the story which help to describe the mood at the end of the story.Cite them.Explain what they mean.
3.Is what “happened” what you expected?Explain.
4.Was there a TWIST at the ending? Explain.
5.Was there a message for the reader at the end of the story?Explain.
6.Was the resolution believable?Explain.
VOCABULARY
1.List the words you found interesting, new, different, or unique which you would like to be able to remember and use yourself.
2.Write your own sentence with these words.Make sure that your use of the vocabulary in your sentence reflects the same meaning the author expressed.
SENTENCES/SYNTAX
1.From the story, select two sentences that you liked.You may have liked what the sentencesstated, what they meant, what they sounded like, or any combination.Write those two sentences verbatim.Then create your own, following the writer’s style.
2.Find an example for each kind of sentence (declarative, imperative, interrogative, exclamatory)
in the selection.Write them down.
3.Find twofragments.Write them down.Explain the effect of the fragments.
4.Find a sentence where a direct quote is used.Write it down.Explain the position of each punctuation mark and capital letter.
5.Find a sentence where an indirect thought is expressed.Turn it into a sentence with a direct quote.
GRAMMAR
1.Create a table with four columns and four rows.Label each column with the following headings:
2.Find ten capitalized words in the selection.List them.Explain why each one is capitalized.
3.Find three sentences with prepositional phrases.Write them, and underline the prepositional phrases.
VISUALIZATION
1.Imagine a part, scene, moment in the story.Illustrate it.Use speech balloons if needed.
2.Create a collage with pictures from a magazine or newspaper to illustrate that part, scene, or moment in the story.
3.Create a poster to “advertise” the story or to promote a character.
4.Turn yourself into a character from the story, gather prompts, prepare your “speech”, make a video or take a series of pictures of yourself, present.
5.Explain any artwork that has been included in the text.
6.Create an example of artwork (any medium) which you feel would enhance understanding of the story.
7 LITERARY STRANDS OF LITERATURE
Explain how the story fulfills the strands of literature.Use examples.
1.Artistry
2.Intellectual Value
3.Suggestive Value
4.Spiritual Value
5.Permanence
6.Universality
7.Style
Mrs. Giraldo's Website Tequesta Trace Middle School
