What's The Big Idea
What is a universal message or insight about life?
What is theme?
If a character slams a locker and refuses to answer questions, the reader can infer the character is:
What is angry or upset?
If a passage uses words like joyful, hopeful, and celebration, the tone is MOST likely:
What is optimistic?
(similar answers will be accepted)
The room was illuminated with gold strands of soft twinkling fairy lights.
What is imagery?
An appeal to emotion is called:
What is pathos?
Maya practiced piano every day, even after her friends stopped inviting her out. Years later, she performed at Carnegie Hall. Which theme is correct?
1. Hard work and sacrifice can lead to success.
2.Giving up all relationships is essential to success.
What is hard work and sacrifice can lead to success.
“Sure,” Marcus muttered, staring at the ceiling. “That sounds like a GREAT idea.”
What can readers infer that Marcus is being...?
What is sarcastic?
At first, the campers laughed and splashed in the lake. By midnight, they huddled silently as thunder rattled the cabins.
Describe the tone shift.
What is the tone shifts from cheerful/playful to fearful or tense?
What is to reflect changes in mood, conflict, character emotions, or theme development?
What is idiom?
An author includes statistics from medical studies to support an argument. This is primarily:
A student says the theme of a story is “friendship.” Why is this incomplete?
What is a theme must express a message or lesson about the topic, not just the topic itself?
(Similar answers are acceptable)
A narrator describes a house as “silent except for the ticking clock and the dust gathering on picture frames.” What can be inferred?
The house has been empty for a long time
(similar answers are acceptable at teacher discretion)
Which word contributes MOST to a bitter tone?
A. delighted
B. trembling
C. pathetic
D. curious
What is pathetic?
“The wind whispered through the trees” is an example of:
What is personification?
A celebrity chef promotes healthy eating by discussing years of culinary experience. This is an example of:
What is ethos?
Devin laughed at his grandfather’s old stories until he found a faded photograph proving every word was true.
What central idea is best supported by the above?
The younger generation fails to appreciate experiences/relationships with the older generation.
(Similar answers are acceptable)
Brianna smiled and congratulated the winner, but her hands tightened around the certificate she almost earned herself.
What nuanced emotion is MOST implied?
What is jealousy or anger?
(similar answers are accepted at teacher discretion)
Read the excerpt:
“Fantastic,” Dad sighed as the car sputtered smoke on the highway.
What tone is created?
What is sarcastic or frustrated?
“He acted like Romeo the moment he saw her” is an example of:
What is allusion?
Schools should start later because teenagers need more sleep to perform well academically.
Which type of evidence would BEST support this claim?
What is scientific research or sleep studies involving teenagers?
Elena spent years trying to impress everyone around her, but she only found peace after making choices for herself. What is the correct central idea?
What is true happiness comes from being authentic rather than seeking approval?
(similar answers are acceptable at teacher discretion)
A passage repeatedly mentions storm clouds gathering before a difficult conversation. Readers can infer the storm MOST likely symbolizes:
What is conflict or emotional tension?
Why do authors use tone shifts?
What is to reflect changes in mood, conflict, character emotions, or theme development?
(similar answers will be accepted)
The sunlight crawled across the floor while the coffee’s rich aroma wrapped around the sleepy kitchen.
Identify TWO figurative language techniques.
What are personification and imagery?
“If we continue ignoring pollution,” the speaker warned, “future generations will inherit oceans filled with plastic instead of fish.”
Which rhetorical appeal is MOST emphasized?
What is pathos?