Plot
What is the definition of "plot"? What do you use to organize plot?
Plot is the storyline that tells the story. We use a plot diagram to help us organize the 6 parts.
What does all suspense have in common?
Puts the reader on the edge of their seat and makes them ask questions they are curious to know the answer to.
Name one type of hook and give an example.
7 possible correct answers! Many acceptable examples!
What is a hyperbole? Give an example.
an extreme exaggeration, not meant to be taken literally
example: "The ice cream was as tall as the gates of Heaven."
example: "That dog's ears are so big, he could probably hear the President yawning in the White House."
How does an author develop a character?
By adding dialogue, inner thoughts, and actions that tell us who the character is as a person
What is the exposition of "Button, Button"?
A husband and wife are poor and living unhappily.
DAILY DOUBLE:
What are the 4 suspense strategies?
1. Limited POV
2. Make the Reader Play God
3. Fear of the Unknown
4. Cliffhangers
Create an example of a question hook to start a suspense story.
"Most people couldn't escape a closed trunk with only a bobbypin; could you?"
"What are you doing with that taser? Jessica?"
Give an example of figurative language, identify the type of figurative language, and define that type of figurative language.
Many possible answers.
Examples:
Simile is a comparison using like/as. My example is "She was like a bomb, just waiting to explode. And the fuse was almost all gone."
Personification is when the author gives an object human-like characteristics. My example is "The TV danced and shook with the bass. While the girls were out of the room, the TV took a fateful jump and landed with a shattering explosion the floor."
Read this description of the character:
"An evil queen attempts to take over the kingdom. She hates the kingdom and the Princess. Prince Charming defends his kingdom when the Queen attacks and shape-shifts and becomes a dragon. Prince Charming is victorious. The queen dies and the kingdom lives happily ever after."
Is the Queen static or dynamic? Explain your logic.
Static: The Queen is static because she is evil and stays that way.
A character can die, and that doesn't make a character dynamic. Dynamic characters go through a change in who they are as a person.
What is the climax of "The Lion King"? In other words, where does the story turn?
Simba returns to Pride Rock to challenge Scar.
OR
Simba has an A-HA! moment and realizes he has to go back.
Give an example of a cliffhanger. It can not be an example that we have covered in class. You may generate an example that you know from a story, movie, etc. OR you can create a story idea that has a cliffhanger.
( Many acceptable responses. Here are some examples: )
In the Harry Potter series, the author often ends each chapter on a cliffhanger, like when Harry is about to discover the truth about his parents' death and the chapter ends.
A cliffhanger could be used in a movie about a man trying to win his girlfriend back. They fall back in love, but in the end scene, she gets shot and the camera pans away and the movie ends. The cliffhanger is "Did she live? Is she dead?" However, remember that GOOD cliffhangers have some kind of resolution or conclusion. I would HATE this movie, because it has no resolution! We'll never know what really happened!
What are 5 types of hooks? If you can name all 7, you earn double the points!
All 7: (only need 5, but if you name all 7, double the points)
1. Question
2. Onomatopoeia
3. Action
4. Vivid Sensory Description
5. Emotional Statement
6. Humor
7. Dialogue, Conversation, or Thoughts
Give an example of figurative language, identify the type of figurative language, and define that type of figurative language.
Explain the meaning of your figurative language in the sentence.
Many possible answers.
Examples:
Simile is a comparison using like/as. My example is "She was like a bomb, just waiting to explode. And the fuse was almost all gone." This simile means that she has a temper, and she is about to blow-up on the next person to "light her fuse."
Personification is when the author gives an object human-like characteristics. My example is "The TV danced and shook with the bass. While the girls were out of the room, the TV took a fateful jump and landed with a shattering explosion the floor." This means that the bass of the TV was too loud, and the TV fell off the wall and shattered.
What is a dynamic character? Give an example of a dynamic character.
A dynamic character is a character that changes, evolves, or learns from their mistakes throughout a story. Dynamic characters are intentionally developed by the author through their use of dialogue and actions for that character.
Example: Ariel's Dad in The Little Mermaid, he finally recognizes that his little girl is growing up and has to make her own decisions.
Example: Brick in Trolls - he was closed off and refused to sing or let people in after losing his Grandma. After letting Poppy in, he changes color which represents a personality change in him. He begins to smile, sing, and socialize with the other trolls.
What is the falling action of "The Lottery"?
The woman starts crying and they raise their stones to kill her.
What is the suspense strategy used in "Holes"? Explain your reasoning.
This is a tricky one! Your reasoning is what makes you right or wrong!
"Limited POV" because you only know Stanley Yelnat's present story.
OR
you could argue "Make the Reader Play God" because we know how Kissin' Kate Bartlett, Stanley Yelnats, and Hector (Zero's) stories intertwine.
OR
you could argue "Fear of the Unknown" because we are scared about what will happen to Zero when he runs away from the camp & we are scared about what will happen to Stanley.
OR
you could argue "Cliffhangers" because the camera or chapter pans away/ends when they find the chest, or when they find God's thumb, etc.
Create an example of a hook and name which type of hook you used.
Many possible answers
What is figurative language?
A type of reading or speaking that describes things in an abstract or figurative way, not meant to be taken literally
What is a static character? Give an example of a static character.
A character that doesn't change or evolve throughout the story. They stay the same.
Example: The squirrel creature in Ice Age - he is constantly obsessed with acorns and doesn't change.
Example: The chameleon in Tangled - he is a loyal friend and companion who loves Rapunzel, and stays that way throughout the movie.
What are all 6 parts of plot? Give an example for each using a movie/story of your choosing.
Depends on the movie you choose, but... 1. Exposition, 2. Rising Action, 3. Climax, 4. Falling Action, 5. Resolution, (climax)
Give an example of "making the reader play God." It can not be an example that we have covered in class. You make generate an example that you know from a story, movie, etc. or you can create a story idea that "makes the reader play God".
( All different responses accepted. Just need to be able to explain your reasoning! But here's the general idea: )
1. The narrator is speaking directly to the reader, telling them what will happen, but letting the reader discover how it all comes together from an all-knowing narrator.
Explain why hooks are important to add in writing.
Hooks grab the reader and make them want to keep reading. Without a hook, a reader loses interest, and less people will want to read your writing. If they do read, they won't be as engaged.
Read this passage:
"But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill …
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom."
The author uses the caged bird as metaphor. What is the meaning behind the figurative language in this passage?
The entire poem is rich with metaphor as a bird in a cage represents a group of people who are oppressed and cannot get freedom. The cage represents physical barriers, fear, addiction, or society; while the song of the bird represents true self yearning for something greater in life.
Describe 3 characters from a movie/story of your choice. Describe whether each is static or dynamic and explain.
Many possible answers.