Figurative Language
The moon was like a silver coin hanging in the night sky.
Simile
What part of the plot introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation?
Exposition
“A girl moves to a new school and struggles to make friends.”
Main idea
The stars danced across the sky as we drove home.
Personification
Maya walked through the crowded school hallway on Monday morning, carrying a poster for her science project. What is the setting?
A school hallway.
The old house groaned in protest as the storm battered its windows.
Personification
This is the turning point or most intense moment of a story.
Climax
“Sometimes, making friends requires taking a risk.”
Theme
The child bounced the ball at the backyard barbeque.
Alliteration
Jordan wanted to join the basketball team, but his parents told him he had to stay home and watch his younger brother. What is the conflict?
Jordan has to take care of his younger brother.
Marcus stared at the enormous pile of homework on his desk. He sighed and said, “I have a million assignments to finish tonight.” His backpack seemed to groan under the weight of his books. (Name 2 figurative languages being used)
“a million assignments” → Hyperbole
“backpack seemed to groan” → Personification
What part of the plot introduces problems and builds tension?
Rising action
Which is the difference between a theme and a main idea?
A main idea is what the story is about while a theme is the lesson of the story.
The basketball hit the rim and BOINGED back toward the court. Everyone groaned. “That shot was terrible enough to destroy the entire universe,” Marcus joked. Find 2 examples.
“BOINGED” → Onomatopoeia
“destroy the entire universe” → Hyperbole
The hikers had planned to reach the mountain peak before sunset. As dark clouds rolled in, heavy rain began pouring down, and the trail quickly became muddy and dangerous.What is the main conflict?
The hiker vs nature
Why do authors use figurative language instead of being literal?
To build vivid images and emotions that readers can relate to.
The 5 parts of a plot, in order.
Exposition → Rising Action → Climax → Falling Action → Resolution
Why isn't “friendship” a theme?
Because it is just a topic. A theme is a message or lesson about that topic.
The hallway was a river of students rushing toward their next classes. Shoes stomped and squeaked against the floor as everyone hurried to beat the bell. “I'm going to be late!” Jasmine shouted.
Find 2 examples.
“river of students” → Metaphor
“stomped and squeaked” → Onomatopoeia
Marcus had practiced his speech for weeks. On the morning of the competition, he discovered that his presentation file had been deleted. He frantically searched his computer while his rival, Devon, laughed and told him there was no way he could compete without it.
Identify the protagonist, antagonist, and conflict.
Protagonist: Marcus.
Antagonist: Devon (or the situation/file loss). Conflict:
Marcus must overcome the loss of his presentation and Devon's attitude.
The rain had been falling all afternoon, turning the streets into shining rivers. Maya stood at the bus stop, tapping her foot impatiently. The wind whispered through the trees, and the clouds seemed to swallow the sunlight. She looked at the clock. “I've been standing here for a thousand years,” she complained. When the bus finally appeared, its brakes screeched, and Maya jumped aboard as quickly as possible.
Find 3 examples.
turning the streets into shining rivers - Metaphor
winds whispered - Personification
clouds seemed to swallow the sky - Personification
a thousand years - hyperbole
screeched - Onomatopoeia
A character spends the entire story trying to convince their parents to let them go to a concert. After several failed attempts, they finally have a conversation with their parents and discover that their parents actually agree to let them go. They are then able to go to concert and had fun with friends. What part of the story is the climax?
The conversation where the character discovers their parents agree. (Because it resolves the conflict and is where the story changes.)
A story is about a student who is embarrassed to ask for help because they don't want their classmates to think they are stupid. Eventually, they ask their teacher for help and realize that several other students were confused too. What is the theme of the story?
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
Give me the definition of all: Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Hyperbole, Alliteration, and Onomatopoeia.
Simile: Comparing using like or as
Metaphor: Comparing
Personification: Giving human traits
Hyperbole: Exaggerations
Alliteration: Repeating sounds
Onomatopoeia: Sound effects
"The exhausted explorer slowly climbed the mountain. The wind howled around him as dark clouds covered the sky. He had been walking for what felt like a million years, but he refused to quit. Finally, he reached the summit and looked down at the tiny village below."
Your team must identify ALL of the following:
“exhausted explorer” → Alliteration
“a million years” → Hyperbole
Possible theme → Persistence can help you overcome difficult challenges.