Poetry
The Speaker.
This is the emotional atmosphere created by the Speaker (in poetry) or Narrator m (in stories) for the reader to experience.
Mood
These are the two main items to consider when identifying the setting of a story.
Time and Place
STEAL is an acronym describing indirect characterization with these words.
Speech, Thoughts, Effect on Others, Actions, Looks
Inferencing means using evidence to do THIS.
Make a guess.
This is the Speaker (in poetry) or Narrator's (in stories) attitude about the subject.
Tone
This is where the story wraps up or has a cliffhanger.
Resolution
Direct characterization comes right out and tells you about a character, which means you do NOT need to use this type of skill.
Inferencing
John is twiddling his thumbs during the meeting. He's also tapping his foot wildly. We can infer THIS about him.
He is bored/has to go to the bathroom/is stressed/eager to speak/nervous
The rhyme scheme of this poem...
There once was a dog
Who met up with a frog
They were best friends
In the bog
AABA
"Sure, let's just stop studying altogether. I'm sure if we took a 3 hour nap and used our books for pillows we would absorb all the information we need through osmosis."
This stage of plot sets the main conflict into motion.
Initiating Event
"Everywhere Jimmy went, ladies threw themselves at him." The most likely thing we can infer about Jimmy's character is this trait.
Good looking.
Gloria was driving around the neighborhood in her pajamas. Every block or so she'd stop the car, hold her head out of the door, whistle, and call out "Candy! Candy! Come here girl!" Then she'd start the car again and slowly drive another block or two, looking around from left to right. Curtis sat in the passenger seat. He was looking around too, but he held his head low. "How many times have I told you to make sure that you shut and lock the door after you come in?" Gloria reprimanded Curtis. Curtis sighed. He felt bad enough without her finger-wagging. What can we infer about Candy?
She is a dog/pet/animal.
Writer's block, the worst of ruts
A slow, miserable death
by lack of productivity
Going nuts
Hyperbole
It's the word you'd use to describe the mood of this passage:
"The breeze flowed through the trees. Suddenly not a care in the world existed. Stillness here. Only the sweet wind kissing my face and the intoxicating aroma of the blooming flowers."
Peaceful, tranquil, calm
The term "Initiate" is used synonymously with this word.
Start, begin.
"Everyone held their nose whenever Steve came by." We use inferences to tell this character smells bad. This is an example of this element of STEAL.
Effect on others
Johnny decided not to hang out with his friends today even though he's been grounded for the previous three weeks. He stayed home, did his homework, and turned on the TV. We can infer THIS about him.
He's decided his friends are a bad influence.
It's this the figurative language found here:
Sound is cruel, jet fuel
sparks a light, need a tool
The engine cries for help
Personification
"Overcrowding in prisons is well-established by the data available. Research shows that 37 percent of federal prisons are overcrowded. The numbers are clear."
Confident, objective, firm
When Frodo finally destroys the ring, it's called this.
The climax
"The poor man walked down the street looking for change. He's been a beggar practically his whole life." This passage reflects this type of characterization.
Direct
Mr. Ericson was a manager at a small insurance company in Minnesota. One cold winter day, April McKenzie, one of his employees, approached him about some time off from work. "This job is very important to me, Mr. Ericson, but I've been called into jury duty. When my government asks for my help, I have to answer the call." Mr. Ericson rubbed his forehead. "We really need you here, April, but the government needs you more. Take the time. We'll be alright." Mr. Ericson had thought that they needed her there at the office, but they managed fine without her. When April returned a week later, Mr. Ericson noticed that most of her skin was bright shade of red except for around her eyes. Pale white circles ran from the top of her eyebrows to the bottom of her cheeks. These pale circles were surrounded by sunburned flesh. That's when Mr. Ericson knew. "April, step into my office. There are some things we need to discuss," Mr. Ericson said ominously. What can we infer about April?
She was on vacation/she lied about taking time off.