Elements of Story
Who are the people, animals, or things in the story?
Characters
“Snake” meaning “a reptile” is ____
“Snake” meaning “a liar or traitor” is ____.
“Snake” meaning “a reptile” is denotative meaning.
“Snake” meaning “a liar or traitor” is connotative meaning.
What do we call a guess we make using clues from the text and our own knowledge?
Inference
What is a prediction?
A smart guess about what will happen next or in the future.
This story element refers to where and when the story happens.
Settings
Use the word rain in two sentences.
- First Sentence: show its literal or real (denotative) meaning
- Second Sentence: show its special, hidden, or implied (connotative) meaning
Answer may vary:
Denotative (real meaning):
The rain fell heavily this morning and made the streets wet.
Connotative (implied meaning):
Blessings began to rain on the family after their hard work paid off.
“ Anna wore a big coat and gloves.” What can you infer about the weather?
It is cold.
The sky is dark, and the clouds are heavy.” What can you predict will happen?
It will rain.
What do we call the series and sequence of events in a story?
Plot
Use the word star in two sentences.
- First Sentence: show its literal or real (denotative) meaning
- Second Sentence: show its special, hidden, or implied (connotative) meaning
Answer may vary.
Denotative (literal) meaning:
The star shines brightly in the night sky.
Connotative (implied) meaning:
Miguel is the star of the basketball team because he always leads them to victory.
“The dog wagged its tail and jumped around.” What can you infer about the dog?
It is happy/excited.
If a story says, “The villain was waiting outside the door,” what might you predict will happen next?
The hero will face danger / a fight will happen.
The problem or struggle in the story is called the ____.
Conflict
Use the word house in two sentences.
- First Sentence: show its literal or real (denotative) meaning
- Second Sentence: show its special, hidden, or implied (connotative) meaning
Answer may vary.
Denotative (literal) meaning:
Our family lives in a big house near the park.
Connotative (implied) meaning:
Our classroom feels like a second house because we spend so much time together.
If a boy is hiding his report card, what can you infer about his grades?
They are low / He is not proud of them.
True or False: Predictions should be based on clues and not just wild guesses.
True
What do we call the lesson or message of the story?
Theme
What is the difference between denotative meaning and connotative meaning?
Denotative meaning → the literal or dictionary meaning of a word
Connotative meaning → the emotional, cultural, or implied meaning of a word
Inference uses two things. Name them.
Text clues and prior knowledge
“The girl practiced every day for months.” What can you predict about her contest performance?
She will perform well / She might win.