Literary Terms
This literary term describes the events that happen in a story.
PLOT
The literary device that compares two things using "like" or "as"
Ex: I was as fast AS lighting
SIMILE
BEFORE beating up Peter, Cole is arrested for...
Robbing a hardware store
At the beginning of the story what were Nya and Salva doing?
Nya- walking to get water
Salva- in school
Esperanza loses her father and her home due to...
Her corrupt/evil/greedy uncles
This literary term means that an author is giving clues as to what may happen in the future of the story
FORESHADOWING
Ex: She was a bright, shining star.
METAPHOR
The first thing that Cole does when Garvey and Edwin leave him alone on the island for the first time is...
Burn his cabin and supplies
Why can't Nya attend school?
Name some of the things that Esperanza did not know how to do once she arrived at the migrant work camp
take care of babies, work, sweep, bathe herself, etc.
This literary term represents the problems that happen in a story
CONFLICT
The literary device that is a exaggeration.
Ex: I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!
HYPERBOLE
The FIRST animals that Cole shows an interest in caring about are..
the baby birds
What is happening when Salva almost gives up while trying to walk to Ethiopia?
his friend Mariel is eaten by a lion, he has stubbed his toe, he is tired and has little water/food
What is the name of the first sickness that Mama got while in the camp?
Valley Fever
This literary term describes the process of a character growing or changing during a story
Character Development
Ex: Sally sells sea shells.
ALLTERATION
When Cole had the fur from the Spirit Bear to prove that he had really seen one, what did he do with it and why?
He threw it in the lake because he knew he was telling the truth, so he didn't feel the need to prove himself to anyone
How do Salva and Nya's stories connect at the end of the novel?
Salva ends up being an engineer on a well drilling project for Nya's village
Why could Abuelita not travel with Esperanza, Mama, Hortencia, Alfonso and Miguel?
She hurt her ankle getting her crochet during the house fire
This literary term means the message or lesson that can be learned from reading a story
THEME
A literary device that does not make sense based on the literal words used, its meaning has to be learned separately.
Ex: To break the ice (get to know someone)
IDIOM
Identify at least one THEME from "Touching Spirit Bear"
You can't get rid of your anger, but you can control it.
You must learn to take responsibility for yourself and your actions.
You are not your past, you can change.
Change takes hard work.
Nature can be important for healing.
It is important to forgive yourself and others
Identify at least one THEME from "A Long Walk to Water"
One step at a time, don't give up
War can be devastating for everyone
It is important to give back and help others
Clean water is important/should be a human right
Family is important
Identify at least one THEME from "Esperanza Rising"
Social inequities and discrimination are harmful
It is possible to adapt and grow from change and hardship
Family is important
Humans are humans at their core no matter how much money, power, status they have (no one is "better" than anyone else)
Not giving up