Language in Literature
Reading Between the Lines
Author’s Choices
Structure and Meaning
Features
100

This compares two unlike things by stating that one thing is another.

What is a metaphor?

100

This is a logical conclusion based on text evidence and what the reader already knows.

What is an inference?

100

This is the perspective from which a story is told.

What is point of view?

100

This is a lesson or message about life that a text communicates.

What is theme?

100

This is the feeling or association connected to a word beyond its literal definition

What is connotation? 

200

The old house groaned as the storm shook its windows.

This type of literary device is used.

What is personification?

200

Marcus stared at the unopened envelope on the kitchen table. He had checked the mailbox three times that afternoon and now held his breath as he reached for it.

The reader can infer this about Marcus.

What is 'Marcus is probably nervous or anxious about what the envelope contains '?

200

I shoved the note into my pocket before anyone could see it.  

This sentence uses this point of view.

What is first person?

200

This heading would best fit a section explaining how bees help plants reproduce... 

A. Bee Colors

B. Pollination

C. Types of Honey

D. Beekeeping Equipment

What is B (Pollination)?

200

This word has the most positive connotation...

A. Skinny

B. Slender

C. Bony

D. Scrawny

What is B- Slender?

300

I have told you a million times to put your backpack away!

This literary device is used, and it means this.

What is a hyperbole, and it means an extreme exaggeration. 

300

This signpost is when a reader notices advice being given by an older or wiser character. 

What is Words of the Wiser?

300

The hallway swallowed the students, and the lockers clanged like warning bells.

This is the tone of this sentence.

What is tense, threatening, or uneasy?

300

This includes the way lines and stanzas are arranged in a poem.

What is poetic structure?

300

The directions were vague, so I studied the examples before beginning the assignment.

Context clues help to determine that vague means this. 

What is unclear or not specific?

400

“Wonderful,” Maya said after spilling juice all over her project. “This is exactly how I wanted my morning to go.”

This literary device is used.

What is verbal irony?

400

The coach folded his arms while Jordan explained why he had missed practice. The coach glanced at the empty equipment room, then handed Jordan a key. “You know what needs to be done.”

The reader can infer this about the coach’s attitude toward Jordan (hint: the coach is ___, but ______...).

What is 'the coach is disappointed but still expects Jordan to take responsibility'?

400

The narrator describes the family’s move through Devon’s eyes. Devon knows that he is frightened, but he does not know that his sister secretly plans to leave with him.

This (specific) point of view is used.

What is 3rd person limited?

400

A science article includes a small number after the sentence “The first public weather satellite launched in 1960.” At the bottom of the page, a note gives the source of that information. This is called what and is included for this reason.

What is a footnote? It provides additional information or identifies the source.

400

The city was a sleeping giant, quiet at dawn but powerful when the streets filled with people.

The metaphor compares this and suggests this.

What is a giant? It suggests that the city is powerful, active, and full of energy.

500

At first, the runner thought the finish line was a wall blocking her from the future. However, by race day, she understood that the wall had never been meant to stop her; it had been built to show her how high she could climb.  

This type of literary device is used, and it communicates this idea.

What is an extended metaphor comparing the race and its challenges to a wall or building?

500

Although Priya’s hands trembled before the presentation, she noticed that her classmates were also reviewing their notes. She took a slow breath, stepped to the front, and began with the joke she had practiced. By the second slide, her voice had steadied.

This is the strongest inference about Priya’s character (hint: Priya is _____, but _____.....).

What is 'Priya is nervous, but she knows her planning has paid off'?

500

A story about a community cleanup is told by a narrator who describes the mayor’s secret worries, a child’s excitement, and a shop owner’s private plans. 

This point of view is most likely used, and this is how it affects the story.

What is third-person omniscient point of view? It allows the reader to know the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.

500

At first, Laila refuses to ask for help because she wants to solve every problem alone. Later, she accepts advice from her brother and finishes the difficult project. In the final scene, she offers to help a younger student.

This theme is best supported by the passage.

What is 'Accepting help and helping others can lead to growth and success'?

500

 This is the difference between denotation and connotation.

What is 'denotation is a word’s literal or dictionary definition, while connotation is the feeling or association connected to the word'?

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