Vocab 1
Fussy, too proper, and easily upset.
Prissy
Shook or trembled, usually from fear.
Quaked
(1) To try to fix or adjust something. (2) A historical traveling repairman.
Tinker
Name the story Protagonist.
Jessie — the main character who tries to solve the problem.
Jessie’s Modern Clothes: Represent her transformation and new identity.
Symbolism (An Object that Stands for an Idea)
To smother or hold back.
Stifle
(1)Grip; the ability to move without slipping. (2) Body held by pulling to heal bones.
Traction
Truth vs. Illusion
Theme (The Big Idea or Message)
The Main Problem of the Story: The children of Clifton are dying from diphtheria, and the man in charge, Miles Clifton, is refusing to give them modern medicine to keep his 1840s village experiment a secret.
The Main Solution: Jessie’s mother sends Jessie out of Clifton to the modern world to find help and expose the truth.
A strong opinion paragraph has a clear structure:
Claim -> Reason-> Example-> Conclusion
Clear and not twisted out of shape.
Undistorted
Extremely severe, harmful, or infectious.
Virulent
Person vs. Society
Conflict (The Problem)
Effect: Jessie’s mother reveals the truth and sends Jessie on her mission.
Cause: Diphtheria breaks out in Clifton.
Shares what you think about a topic and explains why you think it.
Opinion (Argument) Paragraph
To provide evidence to prove something is true.
Substantiate
Teasingly out of reach; very appealing.
Tantalizing
Absolutely necessary or essential.
Vital
The "Outside World": The real modern world of 1996, with cars, electricity, and phones, which is a shock to Jessie.
Setting
Introduction (Exposition): We meet Jessie and learn about life in Clifton.
Conflict: Children get sick, and Jessie learns the truth about the fake village.
Rising Action: Jessie escapes Clifton and faces many dangers trying to reach help.
Climax: Jessie speaks to the press and exposes Clifton’s secret.
Falling Action: The truth spreads, and Clifton is investigated.
Resolution: The children are saved, and Jessie is reunited with her family.
Denouement: Jessie begins to adjust to life in the real modern world.
Plot Mountain (The Shape of the Story)
Flinched or drew back from something painful.
Winced
A guard stationed to keep watch.
Sentry
Foreshadowing
Clues the author gives about what will happen later in the story
How the author shows you what a character is like through their actions, thoughts, words, and how others see them.
Characterization (Understanding the Characters)
Name a Minor Character
EX. Jessie’s mother (Ma), Andrew, Hannah, and the reporters — they help the story move forward but are not the main focus.