Plot & Pacing
What is the beginning of a story called?
Exposition
Who is the main character called?
Protagonist
Talking between characters is called…
Dialogue
True or False: When you cite text evidence, you should put quotation marks around the author’s words.
True
What state do the Watsons live in?
Michigan
Which part of the plot is the turning point?
Climax
Where and when the story happens is called the…
Setting
“The snow sparkled on the ground” is an example of…
Description
Fill in the blank: “The author shows ____ when he says, ‘____’.”
A character trait + direct quote
What nickname do they give their car?
The Brown Bomber
Which pacing makes the story move fast: short sentences or long description?
Short sentences
What is the lesson or message of the story?
Theme
Hints about what will happen later are called…
Foreshadowing
Why do we cite text evidence?
To prove our answers are correct / show where information came from
Who is Byron, and what’s he like?
Kenny’s older brother; a bully and troublemaker
Name the 5 parts of a plot chart in order.
Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution
What are the two main types of conflict?
Internal and external
A memory from the past in the middle of a story is a…
Flashback
Give one sentence from Ch. 1–3 of The Watsons that shows Byron is a troublemaker.
Answer may vary!
Why does Momma wear extra clothes in the cold?
She’s from Alabama and isn’t used to Michigan winters.
Give one example of a slow pace in a story.
Long descriptions, reflection, or background details
In The Watsons Go to Birmingham, what is one conflict Kenny has in the first chapters?
Being teased for his lazy eye / bullied by classmates
Name one narrative technique Christopher Paul Curtis uses in Ch. 1–3 of The Watsons.
Humor, dialogue, description, flashback or foreshadowing of family struggle
How can you explain your evidence in your own words?
By connecting it back to the question and telling why it matters.
What lesson do the Watsons want Byron to learn when he gets into trouble?
To behave, respect others, and stop being a bully