Characterization
When an author directly tells the reader what a character is like, what type of characterization is being used?
Direct
Who narrates Stargirl?
First and Last name.
Leo Borlock
What is the denotation of a word?
Its literal, dictionary definition.
What is mood in a work of fiction?
The feeling or emotion the author creates for the reader.
Identify the figurative language: "Her smile was as bright as the sun."
Simile
Only one NFL team has completed an entire season, including the playoffs and Super Bowl, without losing a single game. Name that team and the year they accomplished it.
Miami Dolphins - 1972
When a reader learns about a character through their actions, dialogue, and thoughts, what type of characterization is being used?
Indirect
What musical instrument does Stargirl frequently play?
Spelling counts
Ukulele
What is the connotation of a word?
The feelings or associations connected to a word.
A hallway is described as dark, empty, and silent. What mood is most likely created?
Eerie, mysterious, or suspenseful.
Identify the figurative language: "The classroom was a zoo."
Metaphor
What popular soft drink was originally created in 1893 under the name "Brad's Drink" before being renamed in 1898?
True or False: A static character experiences a major change in personality or beliefs during a story.
False. A static character remains mostly the same.
What is the name of Stargirl's pet rat?
Cinnamon
Which word has a more positive connotation: confident or arrogant?
Confident.
What mood is created by the words laughter, sunshine, and celebration?
Joyful, happy, or cheerful.
Identify the figurative language: "The wind whispered through the trees."
Personification
In the original Toy Story movie (1995), what is the name of the pizza restaurant where Woody and Buzz attempt to reunite with Andy?
Pizza Planet
Identify the type of characterization: "Jenna was a generous and thoughtful girl."
Direct
What is the name of the school television show hosted by Leo and Kevin?
Hot Seat
Which word has a more negative connotation: curious or nosy? Why?
Nosy.
True or False: Mood and tone mean the same thing. Explain
False. Mood is the feeling created for the reader; tone is the author's or narrator's attitude.
Double Jeopardy
Identify the figurative language: "I've told you a million times!"
Hyperbole
What popular candy was originally created in 1941 so soldiers could carry it without it melting easily in their hands?
M&M's
"Even though Marcus was late, he stopped to help a younger student pick up his books." What type of characterization is being used, and what trait does Marcus demonstrate?
Indirect characterization; Marcus is kind, helpful, or considerate.
Double Jeopardy
Why do the students at Mica High begin turning against Stargirl during basketball season?
She cheers for opposing teams and shows kindness to opponents, which the students consider disloyal.
The words skinny and slender both describe someone who is thin. Which word generally has a more positive connotation? Why?
Skinny
A character waits alone while thunder shakes the windows and the lights begin flickering. What mood does this setting create? Why?
Suspenseful, frightening, or uneasy.
Explain what the metaphor "His words were daggers" means.
His words were extremely hurtful or emotionally painful.
A character begins a story afraid to speak up, but by the ending, she confidently stands up for herself. Is she dynamic or static? Why?
Dynamic
What name does Stargirl begin using when she attempts to become more like her classmates?
Susan
Which word creates a more negative impression: determined or stubborn? Explain why.
Stubborn, because it suggests someone refuses to change or listen to others.
An author describes colorful balloons, excited voices, and music echoing through a school gymnasium. Identify the mood and TWO details that help create it.
Celebratory or cheerful; the balloons, excited voices, and music help establish that mood.
Identify the figurative language in the sentence: "The exhausted runner's legs screamed for a break." Explain your answer.
Personification, because legs are given the human ability to scream.
A character says, "I don't care what anyone thinks," but secretly changes his appearance to impress classmates. What can you infer about this character?
He is insecure or concerned about fitting in, even though he claims otherwise.
Why does Stargirl believe winning the state oratorical competition will change how her classmates treat her?
She believes winning will earn their admiration and make her popular again.
Replace the word walked in the sentence "The stranger walked toward the house" with a word that creates a threatening or suspenseful feeling.
Stalked, crept, or prowled.
A story begins with sunlight and laughter but ends with an empty playground and cold rain. Explain how the mood changes.
The mood shifts from joyful or hopeful to lonely, gloomy, or sad.
"The thunder growled like an angry bear." Identify TWO types of figurative language used in this sentence.
Simile and personification.
A character repeatedly refuses to cheat, even when friends pressure him. What character trait is revealed, and why does this NOT automatically make him a dynamic character?
Integrity or honesty. He may be static because he consistently demonstrates the same beliefs rather than changing.
Stargirl wins the state oratorical competition, but almost nobody welcomes her home. What does this reveal about popularity and acceptance at Mica High?
The students care more about conformity than individual achievement. Stargirl's success does not change their unwillingness to accept her differences.
An author describes a classroom as "silent" in one scene and "lifeless" in another. Explain how these words have different connotations even though they describe a similar situation.
Silent can suggest peacefulness or quiet, while lifeless suggests emptiness, sadness, or a lack of energy.
A character smiles while entering a room described as cold, silent, and filled with shadows. Why might the reader feel uneasy even though the character appears happy?
The dark and unsettling setting creates an uneasy mood that contrasts with the character's positive emotions.
"The clock mocked me as each second crawled by." Identify the figurative language and explain what the author is trying to communicate.
Personification. The clock is described as mocking, and seconds are described as crawling, emphasizing how slowly time seems to pass.
A narrator describes a character as "fearless," but the character hides whenever danger approaches. Identify both types of characterization being used and explain the contradiction.
Direct characterization ("fearless") and indirect characterization (hiding). His actions contradict the narrator's description.
At the Ocotillo Ball, Hillari slaps Stargirl, but Stargirl responds by kissing her on the cheek. Explain how this moment reveals Stargirl's character.
Stargirl responds to cruelty with kindness and forgiveness, showing that she remains compassionate despite being rejected.
Two reporters describe the same protester. One calls the person "determined," while the other calls the person "defiant." How might these different word choices influence readers?
Determined makes the person seem hardworking or admirable, while defiant makes the person seem rebellious or confrontational.
One author describes an abandoned house using the words "quiet," "peaceful," and "still." Another uses "deserted," "hollow," and "lifeless." Explain how the mood differs between the descriptions.
The first creates a calm or peaceful mood, while the second creates a lonely, eerie, or unsettling mood.
"Her apology was a tiny bandage on a mountain of hurt." Identify the figurative language and explain what this comparison suggests.
Metaphor, with exaggeration. The apology provides very little comfort compared to the enormous amount of emotional pain caused.
Throughout Stargirl, Leo admires Stargirl's individuality but pressures her to fit in. Explain how this creates an internal conflict and what it reveals about Leo's character.
Leo struggles between his admiration for Stargirl and his desire for social acceptance. This reveals his insecurity and fear of being judged.
At the end of Stargirl, Leo receives another porcupine necktie. What does this symbolize, and how does it connect to the novel's overall message?
The necktie symbolizes Stargirl's lasting influence and generosity. It reinforces the idea that individuality and kindness can leave a lasting impact on others.
One narrator describes a character as "economical," while another describes the same character as "cheap." Explain how the connotations of these words reveal each narrator's attitude toward the character.
Economical suggests being responsible with money, while cheap suggests selfishness or unwillingness to spend. The different words reveal the narrators' different opinions.
An author wants readers to feel hopeful after a character experiences a major loss. Name TWO descriptive details the author could include to create a hopeful mood without directly saying the character feels hopeful.
Examples include sunlight breaking through clouds or flowers blooming after a storm. Both suggest new beginnings and hope.
"The storm was an angry giant, pounding the roof and screaming into the night." Identify TWO types of figurative language and explain how they work together to create a vivid image.
Metaphor and personification. The storm is compared to an angry giant and given humanlike actions, making it seem powerful, frightening, and dangerous.