Show:
Plot Mound
Conflict
Theme
Characters
Mixed Bag
100
The beginning of a story where the characters and setting are introduced.
What is the exposition?
100
Another word for conflict.
What is problem?
100
The definition of theme
What is the lesson or message of a story?
100
When the author tells you information outright
What is direct characterization?
100

The setting of a story include the time and place- true or false? 

True

200
The part of the story with the highest tension
What is the climax?
200
A disagreement between a student and a teacher is this type of conflict.
What is character vs. character?
200
Find the theme: When she wasn't going to school or doing homework, Sharon spent most of her time drawing.  She drew elaborate manga inspired scenes of heroic warriors and beautiful princesses.  She drew detailed landscapes dotted with colorful monsters and menacing villains, but she never shared her work with anyone. Time passed and Sharon continued to develop as an artist. She had mastered the skills of shadowing and texturing her artwork and she graduated from high school. Too afraid to share her work with others, Sharon pursued a college degree in business rather than art, but she continued to passionately work on her artistry when she was alone.  More time passed and now Sharon was managing a department at a large corporation. She didn't really like her job, but she was comfortable doing it.  By now, Sharon had pretty much given up on creating her own art, but she still appreciated the art of others.
You will never make a shot that you don't take. Beauty unseen is beauty unappreciated. You have to take a risk to receive a reward.
200
When the author gives information and you have to infer the meaning.
What is indirect characterization?
200

The type of conflict that is an internal struggle.

What is character vs. self?

300
The part of the story where the author gives the theme.
What is the resolution?
300
A futuristic setting where robots are taking over humanity.
What is character vs. technology?
300
Find the theme: While most of his peers enjoyed high school, David did not. "I can't wait to get to college and really start my life," he'd often tell himself.  When David got to college, he found out that it wasn’t much different from high school.  "I can't wait to graduate and get a job so that I can really get started on my life," David would tell himself.  When he graduated from college and found a job, David realized that he did not really like working that much.  "I hate slaving away at work.  I can't wait until my retirement.  That's when my life is really going to begin," David told himself.  He worked away his days and nights, enjoying them very little and always thinking about how things would be better when he retired.  When he finally retired, he found that he was in too much pain to do the things that he had planned on doing earlier in life.
What is Plan for the future but live in the present. Life is what happens while you are waiting for things to happen. You have to stop and smell the roses.
300
Jake is Cassie's older brother. One day they are walking home from school when a cold front rolls in and the temperature drops 20 degrees. Jake is dressed more appropriately for the weather than Cassie. He takes off his hooded sweatshirt and offers it to her. She gratefully accepts. Jake is now colder, but he is happier. What character trait does Jake demonstrate?
What is compassion?
300

Find the climax: Dan and Doug led the journalism club. While Dan was generally regarded as a better writer than Doug, Doug was invaluable to the publication for his investigative skills. Together, they had uncovered a scandal in the cafeteria that had been dubbed "Horsemeat-Gate." Due to Dan and Doug's compelling story, interest in the high school paper grew. Dan was even interviewed by the local paper. During the interview Dan spoke at length about all he had done to write the story. He failed to mention Doug's involvement. Doug felt slighted and confronted Dan, but Dan asserted that he was the main writer of the story and therefore deserved the credit. Shortly after the blowout, Doug left the journalism club. The people of the town were interested in the high school paper, but without Doug's knack for finding good stories, the quality of the paper diminished and so did interest in the paper. Now that his popularity surge had ended, Dan had more time to think. He reasoned that they'd still be on top of the world if Doug hadn't been so stubborn and selfish.

What is Shortly after the blowout, Doug left the journalism club.

400
The longest part of the story where the tension and suspense build.
What is the rising action?
400
A vampire must fight a horde of evil zombies.
What is character vs. supernatural?
400
Kelly had a job at the movie theater, but it didn't pay very much and she was sick of working there. Nonetheless, the work was steady and she needed all of the money that she could get.  To her delight, Kelly got an interview at a big office downtown for a job that paid much more.  The interview went very well and the bosses all but offered her a position.  They said that she would fit the role well and they promised that they would call her back within two weeks. Kelly couldn't wait to quit her job at the movie theater. As soon as she got back she put in her two week notice. She spent the next two weeks bragging to her coworkers about her new high-paying job in the big city.  Yet, two weeks passed and she received no phone call.  When Kelly decided to follow up on her interview, she learned that the bosses had chosen a different candidate.  Kelly was crushed.
What is Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Nothing is a sure thing before it happens. If you are going to burn the bridge, wait until you first cross the river.
400
Anna volunteered to help Kylie clean her house. When Anna washed the mirrors, Kylie asked her if she used paper towels instead of newspapers. When Anna admitted that she had, Kylie asked her to redo them. Then, while Anna was sweeping, Kylie corrected her on her technique. "Don't just push the dirt around, Anna. SWEEP it," Kylie told Anna. What character trait does Kylie demonstrate?
What is being bossy?
400

Characterize Cassandra "I like him so much, but I get the feeling that he doesn't like me anymore," Maria confided in her friend Cassandra. "Well, just break up with him," Cassandra replied. "Yeah, but it's not that easy…" Maria tried to explain. "Of course it is," Cassandra countered, and then she left to talk to Kirsty, leaving Maria puzzled. "What's up, Kirsty?" Cassandra asked. "I'm a little bummed out, Cassandra," Kirsty said. "If I don't pass math class, I'm not going to graduate." Cassandra smiled, "Oh, well that's easy." She continued, "Just do all of your homework and ace all of the tests and you'll pass," Cassandra answered smugly. Kirsty frowned, "Yeah, but you don't understand, Cassandra. I'm not good at math. It's very hard for me." Cassandra laughed, "Nonsense, Kirsty. Just do it."

What is insensitive?

500
The part of the plot where the conflict is introduced.
What is the initiating action?
500
A man has to overcome his guilt over not taking better care of his pet fish.
What is character vs. self?
500
Angie loved to draw. She made colorful designs of people’s names with bright hearts & flowers, but she lost own markers, so she borrowed her teacher’s. The school day was ending, but Angie wanted to keep coloring, so she took the teacher’s markers home and lost them in her messy room. She came back to school the next day and wanted to color again, so she asked the teacher for more markers. The teacher replied, “Sure, Angie, but this is my last pack.” Angie said she would be careful, but by the end of the day the markers were scattered all over the floor and the custodian swept them up and disposed of them. When Angie came in the next day, she asked the teacher for more markers, but she was disappointed to find that there weren’t any more. “I don’t know where all of my markers went,” said the teacher, “but I don’t have them.” Angie had to draw her pictures with drab pencils.
What is Take care of shared resources. Some things will not replenish after they are exhausted.
500
Rocky's cousin brought him to a party. Rocky didn't know anyone at the party. Shortly after getting there, Rocky's cousin disappeared. Rocky made a lot of new friends at this party and had a great time. What character trait does Rocky demonstrate?
What is friendliness?
500
Name the 6 types of conflict.
What is Character vs. Society Character vs. Character Character vs. Self Character vs. Supernatural Character vs. Nature Character vs. Technology