Theme
Mrs. Smith was doing a unit on healthy living with her students. All week she taught her students about eating the correct foods like fruits and vegetables. Over the weekend, some of Mrs. Smith's students were at the mall and saw her eating pizza, a milkshake, and candy. Mrs. Smith's student Molly was going to order a salad, but now decided to order junk food too. What is the theme?
Actions speak louder than words.
That boy was as fast as a cheetah
Simile
The highest point of interest, the place where ideas are drawn together, an important turning point in a series of actions, or the most forceful event in a story.
Climax
The general atmosphere created by the author’s words. The feeling the reader gets from reading the words
Mood
What is the topic of this passage? They are building a new school near my house. Every day I watch the workers drive huge tractors and push a ton of dirt. They have big cranes that help them place tall beams in the ground. The workers build walls using bricks. Every day it looks more and more like a school. Mom says I will go there in the fall.
Building a new school
Julia wanted to become a doctor for as long as she could remember. In college when her friends were out at the mall or going out with friends, Julia spent all of her time studying. At graduation, Julia graduated with high honors and was offered a job shortly after. What is the theme?
Hard work pays off
Seven Snakes Slithered Silently
Alliteration
John is afraid of flying in a plane, but it is his only choice if he wants to see his grandfather before he passes away.
Character vs. Self
Supporting materials used to prove or disprove something
Evidence
Aaron wanted to ride his bike to school. He saw that he had to a flat tire. Aaron said, "Oh,no, I really wanted to ride my bike to school. I will have to wait until I get it fixed." His mom said, "I will take you to school today." Aaron went to school without his bike.
Aaron couldn't ride his bike because of a flat tire.
Growing up, Sally was always in the shadow of her older sister Mary. Mary always got better grades, was better at sports, and seemed to even be prettier. Sally spent a lot of time in the family's garden feeling sorry for herself. Then one day Mary needed help on a science project about plants. Due to all of her time in the garden, Sally knew a lot about plants and was able help Mary with the project. Sally was shocked that she was better at something than her sister. What is the theme?
Accept yourself for who you are.
Even though the sun was bright I could still see it winking at me
Personification
A narrative device, often used at the beginning of a work that provides necessary background information about the characters and their circumstances.
Exposition
The general attitude an author takes towards his/her topic or subject.
Tone
Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal servants. They will look and behave much like real humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to respond in kind! Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier
Someday we will have robots that will be our personal servants
The Monkey and the Cookies A monkey put his hand into the jar of cookies. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the cookie jar. Unwilling to lose the cookies, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and cried bitterly. What is the theme?
Don't be Greedy
The Rain in Spain falls Mainly on the Plains
Assonance
A struggle between opposing needs, desires, or emotions within a single character
Internal Conflict
The primary or main character in a piece of literature, but may not be the hero or heroine
Protagonist
Peter's parents bought a new carpet for the living room. Now, he has to take his shoes off when he enters the house. He's also not allowed to eat or drink in the living room any more. Peter's furry dog isn't allowed to play ball in there either. When his parents got the new carpet, there were lots of new rules.
Peter's parents made new rules so the new carpet stays clean.
One winter, a monkey found a snake stiff and frozen. The monkey felt sorry for the snake and so he picked the snake up and held it to his chest to try to warm it. The snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and because of its instincts, bit the monkey with all its might. What is the theme?
Even though you have good intentions, others may not.
Money doesn’t grow on tree
Idiom
A struggle between a character and an outside force
External Conflict
Provide the reader with first hand knowledge, ideas, and details of an event or activity. This allows the reader to get closer to the truth about a subject or event
Primary Source
There is a village on an island near Scotland. it was built out of stone. A storm covered in in sand 4,000 years ago. It stayed covered until 1851. Then another storm blew the sand away. The village looked just like it did 4,000 years ago
Village covered in sand for over 4,000 years ago.