Conflict, Characterization, & Theme
(A) Does this excerpt show internal or external conflict?
(B) What does the conflict show about Sarah's character development?
"As Sarah watched her friends laugh and talk without her, she felt a deep pang of loneliness, wondering if she'd ever fit in."
Internal conflict; it shows her insecurity and desire for belonging, shaping her self-perception and possibly leading her to seek connection.
What tone does the verbal irony in this statement create?
"Oh, great. Another two hours in the waiting room—just what I wanted for my Saturday afternoon."
A sarcastic, annoyed tone, as the speaker is clearly unhappy about waiting but expresses it with irony.
How do words like "tight-fisted," "squeezing," "grasping," and "covetous" affect the tone of this description?
Excerpt from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens:
"Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!"
These words create a critical, disapproving tone, highlighting Scrooge’s miserly and selfish nature, making him seem unkind and greedy.
How can short line lengths affect the meaning and tone of a poem?
Short line lengths can create a choppy or abrupt rhythm, which can emphasize tension, urgency, or simplicity in the poem’s theme. They may also slow the reader down, encouraging focus on individual words or ideas.
In a scientific article, you see a footnote. How might this footnote help the reader, and why might it be placed as a footnote rather than in the text?
The footnote helps readers understand a technical term without disrupting the flow of the main text. Placing it in a footnote allows readers to access the explanation if needed, while others can continue reading uninterrupted.
(A) Does this excerpt show internal or external conflict?
(B) What does the conflict show about Mia's character?
"Mia was torn between telling the truth and protecting her friend’s secret, feeling guilt tugging at her with every passing day."
Internal conflict; it reveals her moral values and sense of responsibility, which may influence her actions and relationships.
What figurative language is used here, and how does it affect the tone?
"The old house creaked and groaned as the wind howled around it, its dark windows like hollow eyes watching our every move."
Personification and simile; it creates a spooky, ominous tone.
How do the words "ambled," "shuffled," and "no hurry" affect the tone of this description?
Excerpt from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee:
"People moved slowly then. They ambled across the square, shuffled in and out of the stores around it, took their time about everything. A day was twenty-four hours long but seemed longer. There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with."
The words create a slow, sleepy tone that reflects the small-town atmosphere and the simplicity of life, but also suggests a lack of progress or change.
How can the use of consistent stanza breaks in a poem influence its structure and meaning?
Consistent stanza breaks can create a sense of order and structure, which might reflect themes of stability, formality, or regularity. They can also help organize the poem’s ideas, separating different thoughts or images.
Why might an informational text about a historical event include a photograph with a caption? How does this visual element affect the reader’s understanding?
A photograph with a caption provides a visual context, helping readers picture the historical event and connect with it on a more personal level. The caption explains the significance of the image, which can enhance readers’ engagement and understanding of the event.
(A) What type of conflict is Emma facing?
(B) How does the conflict impact her characterization?
"Emma’s heart raced as she stared at the starting line, wondering if she was truly prepared for the race ahead."
Internal conflict; it emphasizes her self-doubt and the importance of overcoming personal fears, showing her vulnerability and determination.
How does the metaphor of the forest as a “fortress” affect the tone?
"The forest was a fortress, thick trees standing guard, their branches interwoven like a wall around us."
How do the words "nervous" and "dreadfully" contribute to the tone of the passage?
Excerpt from "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe:
"True!—nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?"
They create a tense, unsettling tone, suggesting the speaker’s anxiety and hinting at a sense of instability or obsession.
How can irregular punctuation, such as the use of exclamation marks or capital letters in unusual places, impact the meaning or tone of a poem?
Irregular punctuation can add intensity, urgency, or surprise to the poem’s tone. It may suggest heightened emotion or excitement, or draw attention to specific ideas, making the reader pause or consider the impact of certain words.
You’re reading an article on animal adaptations, and there’s a sidebar titled “Did You Know?” that explains how certain animals camouflage. What purpose does this sidebar serve, and how does it help readers make connections?
This sidebar provides interesting facts that enhance the main topic of animal adaptations, helping readers see specific examples of how animals adapt to their environments. It allows readers to connect general information with specific, memorable details, deepening their understanding.
(A) Is this an external or internal conflict?
(B) What theme might this reveal?
"When her family moved to a new town, Lena struggled to adapt to her unfamiliar surroundings and different school environment."
External conflict; it suggests a theme of adaptation and the challenges of change.
How does the simile in the following poem affect the tone?
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
"But still, like dust, I'll rise" adds a tone of strength and empowerment.
How does Frost’s choice of words like "sigh," "ages and ages," and "difference" affect the tone of the poem?
Excerpt from "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost:
"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
The words create a reflective, somewhat wistful tone, as the speaker looks back on his choice with a sense of wonder about its impact.
What impact does repetition of a particular line or phrase at the end of each stanza have on the meaning or tone of a poem?
Repetition can reinforce a central theme, idea, or emotion, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity. It can also add emphasis to a particular feeling, such as determination, longing, or resignation, depending on the repeated line.
Imagine you're reading an article with a map showing global climate zones next to a section about climate change. What purpose does the graphic serve, and how does it help readers make connections?
The map provides a visual representation that helps readers understand where different climate zones are located, making it easier to connect the text’s information about climate change with specific regions. This visual context enhances comprehension by allowing readers to see the global impact.
(A) Is this an internal or external conflict?
(B) What theme is suggested here?
"Running out of time, Lily struggled against the clock to finish the project, hoping she could still make her family proud."
External conflict; it suggests a theme of perseverance and the pressure to meet expectations.
How do the similes in the following poem affect the tone?
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
The similes suggest that a deferred dream suffers and deteriorates over time, evoking a tone of frustration and hopelessness.
How does the word "kindly" affect the tone of this passage?
Excerpt from "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson:
"Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –"
It creates a calm, almost welcoming tone, portraying Death as gentle and polite rather than frightening.
What effect can enjambment have on a poem's meaning?
Enjambment can create a sense of movement and urgency, leading the reader from one line to the next without pause. It can reflect the flow of thoughts or emotions and add tension or surprise by breaking up ideas across lines.
Imagine you’re reading an article titled “Bringing Your Book to Life.” Here are some of the headings from the article:
(1) The Spark: Developing Your Idea (2) The Sculptor's Touch: Revising and Refining (3) The Grand Reveal: Publishing and Promotion
How do these headings help the reader make connections while reading the article?
The creative headings guide the reader through each phase of publishing, from idea development to final promotion, while making each step feel unique yet connected.