Literary Devices
Define theme.
Theme is the universal message the author wants readers to take away from the story.
What does the acronym "CER" stand for?
C - Claim
E - Evidence
R - Reasoning
How is Binti's heritage symbolized in the book?
Binti's heritage is symbolized through the otjitze (red clay) that she wears.
How many syllables does the word articulate have?
4
List the characters and their roles in Red at the Bone.
Melody - Daughter
Iris - Mother
Aubrey - Father
Po'Boy - Grandfather
Extra Credit:
Sabe - Grandmother
What is the central idea of a text?
How many sentences is a claim in a CER paragraph?
1-2 sentences
Why does Binti feel out of place while traveling to Oomza University?
She is the only Himba person traveling, as she is the first to leave her planet.
Provide a sentence using the word insubordinate correctly.
Ex: The scholar received a referral for being insubordinate toward his teacher.
What genre is Red at the Bone considered? (You must use the correct vocabulary word here).
Red at the Bone is a part of the Bildungsroman genre.
1. Time
2. Place
3. Social/Historical Context
What should your "Reasoning" do for your CER Paragraph?
Your reasoning should explain your evidence + tie it back into your claim. It should bring your paragraph full circle.
What do the Meduse do to Binti as a test of her trustworthiness?
They have her put down her edan and sting her, which causes her to become part Meduse.
What part of speech is the word "coherent?"
Coherent is an adjective.
What role does identity play in a coming-of-age story?
Identity is the core of a coming-of-age story because the main character is learning who they are and who they want to become. As they face challenges, choices, and new experiences, their beliefs, values, and sense of self develop, showing how growing up means discovering and defining your identity.
What is the purpose of juxtaposition?
Provide 3 Criteria for Success bullet points for the "Evidence" portion of a CER Paragraph.
Evidence should be:
- Direct quote (word for word)
- Have quotation marks around the quote
- Provide page number
What does Binti do in the "Finally Changes" stage of her Hero's Journey that demonstrates growth in her character evolution?
Binti acts as a mediator between the Meduse and the Khoush, bridging the gap between the 2 worlds.
Use hegemony in a sentence.
Ex: "It is difficult to challenge the state's hegemony."
What role does Melody serve in her family?
Melody is treated as the "saving grace" or the child who's going to make everything right, since Iris got pregnant with her at such a young age.
How does juxtaposition help strengthen the theme of a text?
By highlighting those opposites, an author can show deeper truths about the theme, like how people respond differently to the same challenge or how identity can be shaped by opposing forces.
How does using a Claim-Evidence-Reasoning structure strengthen a response, and what happens to the clarity of the argument when one of these components is weak or missing?
Using the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning structure strengthens a response by making the writer’s point clear (claim), backing it up with credible support (evidence), and explaining how the evidence proves the point (reasoning). When any one of these parts is weak or missing, the argument becomes confusing, unconvincing, or incomplete because the reader cannot fully understand what the writer believes or why they should believe it too.
How is Afrofuturism embodied (used) in Binti?
It centers African identity in a futuristic world.
How does the suffix "-tion" change a word's part of speech?
The suffix "-tion" changes a word's part of speech from a verb to a noun.
How and why are Iris and Aubrey juxtaposed in Red at the Bone?
Iris and Aubrey are juxtaposed because they respond to teenage parenthood in opposite ways: Iris feels constrained and seeks independence, while Aubrey embraces responsibility and finds love and purpose in fatherhood. Woodson uses this contrast to show that coming-of-age experiences shape people differently depending on their hopes, fears, and identities.