Figurative Language
The problem in a story: Ex. Man vs Nature
Conflict
Category or type of literature. Ex: Informational, Memoir,
Genre
There are many different kinds of bears in the world. Black bears live in North America. Grizzly bears also live in North America. They are very dangerous. The white Polar bear lives in the Arctic. The biggest bear is the Kodiak bear which is found in Alaska.
What is the central idea of this selection?
There are many kinds of bears.
“The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.”
What is the theme?
Learn from your mistakes
Sequence of events in a story
Plot
Story of a person's life written by someone else
Biography
Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.
What is the central (main) idea?
Soccer players learn many skills when playing
A monkey put his hand into a jar of cookies. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull out his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the cookie jar. Unwilling to lose the cookies, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented his disappointment.
A) Your actions have rewards.
B) Do not eat too many cookies.
C) Greed can get you into trouble.
C) Greed can get you into trouble.
Main character in a story (usually a good guy)
Protagonist
Helps the reader identify key topics in a book and the order they are presented.
Table of Contents
Brittany doesn't have a lot of time to get her homework done. She has dance class right after school. After dance class, she has to eat dinner. Brittany helps her dad make dinner. They have to wash the vegetables, cut them, and cook them. They also have to boil the water for the pasta and cook it. After that, Brittany finally has time to start her homework. Shortly after doing her homework, it's time for bed.
What is the central (main) idea of this section?
Brittany barely has time to do her homework.
An old monkey on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered them to bring in a bundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son: "Break it." The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the sticks. The other sons also tried, but none of them was successful. "Untie the bundle," said the father, "and each of you take a stick." When they had done so, he called out to them: "Now, break," and each stick was easily broken. "You see my meaning," said their father.
A) Teamwork is the key.
B) Old people are better than young people.
C) Do not give up and try again.
A) Teamwork is the key.
Words chosen to paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
Imagery (Mental Image)
Person working against the main character or hero of a story
Antagonist
This text structure describes a sequence of events that happened over a period of time
Chronological order
Alligators are surprisingly tender mothers. A female alligator builds a nest for her eggs on the shore. After she lays her eggs, she covers the nest to keep it warm. Unlike many other reptiles that leave their eggs, the alligator stays to keep them safe. When the babies start making noise, the mother knows they're ready to hatch. She may help by putting the eggs in her mouth and gently breaking the shells apart. Once the babies hatch, the mother gathers them up and puts them in the water. She stays with and protects her young for as long as two years.
What is the central (main) idea?
Alligators are gentle mothers because they care for their babies in many ways.
One day Little Red Riding Hood's mother sent her to her grandmother's house with a basket of bread. She warned her daughter to go straight there and not talk to strangers. Along the way, Little Red Riding Hood met a wolf.
"Where are you headed?" the wolf asked.
"To Grandmother's house," said Little Red Riding Hood, forgetting her mother's warning. "She lives in the first house in the village."
The clever wolf hurried to Grandmother's house and gobbled her up. He put on her clothes and got into bed. Soon Little Red Riding Hood arrived at the house and knocked. "Come in," said the wolf in a high voice.
A) Never go alone anywhere
B) Always listen to your parents
C) Do not be afraid to speak out
B) Always listen to your parents
Short, fictional story usually involving animals that teaches a lesson
Fable
Once upon a time...
Exposition or Setting
This text structure describes the similarities and differences of two or more things.
Compare or Contrast
Jake is going to try out for basketball after school today. Jake had been practicing all summer in hopes of making the team. Jake has been thinking about his big basketball tryout all day. He could barely focus in math class this morning because he worried that he wouldn't be able to shoot a basket. His teacher asked him why he was unable to focus. Jake told him about his tryout after school. His teacher told him to just relax and try his best. Jake is excited about his tryout after school.
What is the central (main) idea?
Jake has basketball tryouts after school.
A group of sailors set sail on a long voyage. They brought along a monkey to keep them company. After several weeks at sea, there was a terrible storm. The choppy waves tossed around the small ship, and both the sailors and the monkey were thrown into the sea.
A dolphin saw the monkey in the water and rescued him. The dolphin swam to a nearby island, carrying the monkey on her back. When they arrived at the island, the dolphin asked, "Have you been here before?"
The monkey said, "Yes, I have. Actually, I am the king of this island." Of course, that was not true. In fact, no one lived on the island at all.
The dolphin replied, "Good. Then you no longer need me." And she swam off, leaving the monkey stuck on the island.
A) Boasting and lying can get you into trouble.
B) Never trust someone you don't know.
C) Never help people in need.
A) Boasting and lying can get you into trouble.
Direct conversation between characters in a story
Dialogue
The main idea or point of a story.
Theme
Shows the reader the order of events that something took place, usually drawn on a line showing dates or years.
A Timeline
The diamond is a hard element that can cut through almost any metal. That is why it is often used for industrial purposes. Whole diamond stones are set into tools. Dust from crushed diamond stones is used for coating the edges of tools. Care must be taken when exposing diamonds to extreme heat because heat can turn them into graphite. Graphite is the soft material used in the manufacture of lead for pencils.
What is the main idea?
How are diamonds used
An ant went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of drowning. A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her. The Ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Shortly afterward a birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid his lime-twigs for the Dove, which sat in the branches. The Ant, perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain, the birdcatcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove take wing.
A) Do not underestimate animals.
B) Friends can come in different sizes.
C) Return the favor when possible.
B) Friends can come in different sizes.
C) Return the favor when possible.