Genre
Tell me about historical fiction.
It is a kind of fiction story that is created by an author, but it does have some events or characters in it from history.
What is an adjective?
An adjective describes a noun.
Why should we ask and answer questions when we read a story?
It helps us to think more deeply about a story and to understand it more clearly.
What is the difference between a paragraph and an essay?
A paragraph is one group of sentences that form around a central idea. A paragraph is usually 5-7 sentences in length.
An essay is a set of paragraphs (usually about 5) that form around one central purpose.
Everyone, give me an example of a sequence word.
First, then, next, last...
What is the difference between a biography and an autobiography?
A biography is a story about someone's life written by another person. An autobiography is a true story that a person writes about his/her own life.
What is the difference between a simple sentence and a compound sentence?
A simple sentence has just 1 complete thought. A compound sentence has two complete thoughts that are related, and they are joined with a comma and a conjunction.
What is the purpose of making predictions while you read?
Making predictions helps you to interact with the text and understand it more deeply.
What are the essentials of a paragraph?
A paragraph must have a topic sentence, at least three details, and a conclusion. It should also have sequence words and strong verbs and adjectives.
Why is it important to learn to write creatively?
Answers will vary.
This skill helps you to paint a picture for your readers, to help your readers to really experience what you are writing so you communicate not only thoughts but also feelings.
Tell me about argumentative text.
It is a genre where the author's purpose is to persuade the reader to agree with him or her and perhaps to take some sort of action.
Explain the difference of when I should use: good, better, or best.
I use good to describe something that is positive. I use better to compare that good thing with something else. Use best when I compare 1 good thing against 2 or more other good things.
How can you determine if a detail is a relative (important) detail to the plot?
Check to see if the story would make sense if you removed that detail? Is it vital to understanding the big central idea? If so, it is an important detail.
How does sequence play into writing a paragraph or an essay?
It's important to use sequence words and phrases throughout your writing to help the reader to follow the timeline.
Add a different suffix to each of these words:
help
thought
run
gentle
Answers will vary.
helpful
thoughtless
runner
gentleness
Tell me about how expository text can have author's point of view and bias. How should that affect the way we read this genre?
Even though it is nonfiction, it still will have the opinions of the author mixed in with the facts.
A reader should beware of the difference between fact and opinion so he/she reads with critical thinking.
Explain the difference between a compound sentence and a complex sentence.
A compound sentence has two complete thoughts that are related and joined with a comma and a conjunction.
A complex sentence has 1 compete thought as well as a clause that is incomplete (dependent). They are joined together into 1 sentence.
Explain to me all about compare and contrast? What is the difference between the two and how is it used in reading comprehension?
To compare is to show how to things are similar. To contrast is to show how two things are different.
We use this to interact with two concepts/characters/ events in a story.
What are some different types of poetry?
There is lyrical, free verse, limerick, haiku, to name a few.
Can nonfiction writing have false information? Explain your answer.
Nonfiction is a genre that is meant to provide true information about our world. However, writers have bias, and they write with their own emotions. There is often opinion written into nonfiction writing. So, we must keep our eyes open when we read and look for facts as well as for emotional opinions.
Tell me about 5 genres.
Answers will vary: expository text, biography, autobiography, realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, fairytale, fable, folk tale, mystery, drama...etc
What is the difference between a comparative adjective and a superlative adjective? Give me an example of both.
Comparative adjectives compare 2 things together. Superlative adjectives compare 3 or more things together.
How do you identify an author's point of view in a story?
First, check the pronouns to see who the narrator is (I, me, and my - 1st person), (you - 2nd person), and (they, them, him, her - 3rd person).
Then, note the details, the adjectives used, the opinions included, and you will identify the author's point of view/ feelings about the topic.
Walk me through the steps of writing an argumentative essay.
First, you pick an idea. Then, you pre-write your plan. After that, you write your introduction with a thesis statement. Next, you write three paragraphs with your three main points of evidence that support your opinion. After that, you write one paragraph with the opposing view. Finally, you write your conclusion, restating your claim.
What do you believe is the single most important thing that you can do to leave a positive impact on the world as a student? Give three examples of how you can do this.
Answers will vary.