Terms that match the definition
The writer’s attitude toward or feeling the subject of the text.
Tone
What is a narrator?
The person or voice telling the story
What Author's Technique is being used in the following passage?
BONUS FOR DOUBLE POINTS: What line best hints at the author's technique used?
As Marcus left the house, his mom warned him to be careful, but he just laughed and rushed out the door. He noticed the dark clouds rolling in, though the forecast had said it would be clear all day. On his way to the game, his phone battery dropped to one percent, and he shrugged it off, thinking he wouldn’t need it. By the time he reached the field, the wind had picked up, and the first crack of thunder made him wish he had paid more attention earlier.
Foreshadowing
Evidence: "On his way to the game, his phone battery dropped to one percent, and he shrugged it off, thinking he wouldn’t need it"
Identify the tone of the text:
Lena walked slowly down the long hallway, clutching her books tightly against her chest. The school was nearly empty, and each footstep echoed louder than it should have. She paused when she noticed her locker door slightly open, even though she was sure she had closed it earlier. A cold feeling settled in her stomach as she reached out to pull it shut, glancing over her shoulder at the silent hallway.
Suspenseful, uneasy, ominous, tense
Write a thesis statement: In the passages from “Confetti Girl” by Diana López and “Tortilla Sun” by Jennifer Cervantes, the narrators have points of view different from those of their parents. Write an essay analyzing how these differences in points of view create tension in both stories. Remember to use details from both texts to support your ideas.
In "Confetti Girl" by Diana Lopez and "Tortilla Sun" by Jennifer Cervantes the narrators differences in points of view create tension in both stories, however Lopez uses ____ while Cervantes uses _____
Hints or clues about what will happen later in a story.
Foreshadowing
What is dialogue?
The words characters say to each other, usually in quotation marks
What Author's Technique is being used in the following passage?
BONUS FOR DOUBLE POINTS: What two things are being compared and what is the author trying to show by making this comparison?
The classroom was a battlefield, and every student was a soldier fighting to stay awake during the long lecture. Pencils tapped like distant drums as the teacher’s voice marched steadily on. By the end of the period, even the strongest soldiers were ready to surrender.
Metaphor
Effect: This shows that class was long and boring. the students are being compared to soldiers at war. Similarly to how soldiers have to withstand a battle, these students have to withstand this long lecture.
Identify the Tone: Maya and her best friend Eli stood at the edge of the stage, waiting for their names to be called. The gym buzzed with energy, filled with cheering classmates and flashing cameras. “We actually did it,” Eli said, grinning as he bumped her shoulder lightly. Maya laughed, feeling her nerves melt away as pride replaced doubt. When their names were finally announced, they walked forward together, smiling wider with every step.
Joyful, celebratory, proud, uplifting
Write a thesis statement: The story “Departure” by Shirley Jackson describes a character leaving home, and the passage from “Up the Coolly” by Joseph Bruchac describes a character returning home. Write an essay that analyzes how the narrators relate the events about the journeys in a manner that builds mystery and/or tension. Be sure to use support from both texts in developing your response.
In “Departure” by Shirley Jackson and “Up the Coolly” by Joseph Bruchac the narrators relate the events about the journeys in a manner that builds mystery and/or tension; however Jackson uses _____ while Bruchac uses _______.
Match a word for each definition:
1. Words that sound like the noise they describe (e.g., "buzz").
2. Two opposite words put together (e.g., "jumbo shrimp").
1. Onomatopoeia
2. Oxymoron
What is imagery?
descriptions that appeal to the five sense
What Author's Technique is being used in the following passage?
BONUS FOR DOUBLE POINTS: What is the main claim in the passage?
If our school starts classes later, students will get more sleep, which research shows improves focus and academic performance. Right now, many teens get less than the recommended 8 hours, which leads to lower grades and more absences. Schools that have already pushed start times back have seen higher attendance and better test scores. If we want students to succeed, adjusting the schedule is a practical change based on real evidence.
Logical Appeal
Claim: Schools should start classes later because it will allow students to get more sleep and improve academic performance.
Identify the Tone:
Ava hadn’t planned on going back to the old house, but the key was still in her coat pocket, heavy as if it had been waiting for her. When she pushed the door open, the air inside felt frozen in time—dusty furniture, faded photos, and sunlight cutting through cracked blinds. “You really came,” a voice said from the hallway, calm and familiar. Ava turned slowly to see her older brother, Marcus, leaning against the doorway with a small, uncertain smile. Neither of them moved at first, as if the years between them were suddenly too fragile to cross.
Reflective, bittersweet, tense, nostalgic, Emotional, curious, uneasy, sentimental
Use what you have learned from “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell and “The Birds” by Daphne du Maurier to write an analysis that evaluates how each author uses the physical environment to build tension throughout the narrative. You may want to include in your analysis how the isolation of the settings and the pacing of the action contribute to the growing sense of fear and desperation experienced by the protagonists. Support your essay with specific evidence from both passages.
In “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell and “The Birds” by Daphne du Maurier, each author uses the physical environment to build tension throughout the narrative; however Connell uses ___ whereas Maurier uses ____
Match a word for each definition:
1. Using objects, images, or actions to represent bigger ideas
2. How fast or slow the story moves or how information given.
1. Symbolism
2. Pacing
What is central idea?
What the text is mostly about?
What Author's Technique is being used in the following passage?
BONUS FOR DOUBLE POINTS: What is the main claim in the passage?
Students already spend seven hours a day in school, yet many are still assigned hours of homework every night. This leaves little time for rest, activities, or even basic responsibilities at home. How can anyone be expected to stay focused and perform well without enough sleep? Research shows that students who are well-rested tend to have better grades and stronger concentration. If the goal is real learning and success, shouldn’t schools consider limiting the amount of homework they assign?
Rhetorical Questions
Claim: Schools should limit the amount of homework they assign students.
Identify the tone:
During lunch, Mr. Carter tried to give a serious announcement, but his microphone immediately squeaked like a startled mouse and echoed through the cafeteria. A tray of spaghetti slid off the counter behind him at the exact moment he said, “We need to practice being responsible,” sending marinara sauce flying like a slow-motion disaster. Students froze for half a second before someone in the back started laughing so hard they snorted, which made three more people lose it completely. Even Mr. Carter couldn’t keep a straight face when his notes blew off the podium and landed in someone’s mashed potatoes. By the time the bell rang, nobody remembered the announcement—but everyone remembered the spaghetti incident.
Humorous, playful, lighthearted, comedic, silly
Write a thesis statement:
You have read an excerpt from the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln and an excerpt from “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass. Both texts address the issue of slavery during the Civil War but present different perspectives on freedom and equality. Write an essay that analyzes how each author develops their ideas about freedom and what their perspectives reveal about their goals. Be sure to use evidence from both texts to support your response.
In both the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln and “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass, the authors develop their ideas about freedom during the Civil War; however, Lincoln develops his perspective by using ________, whereas Douglass develops his perspective by using ________.
Match a word for each definition:
1. The thoughts, actions, and emotions of the characters that reveal what their personality is like.
2. An exaggerated statement.
1. Characterization
2. Hyperbole
What is theme?
The lesson or message of a story
What Author's Technique is being used in the following passage?
BONUS FOR DOUBLE POINTS: Provided after the answer
Maya kept the wilted paper flower tucked inside her notebook, even though it was bent and faded. It had been given to her on the last day of middle school, when everything still felt simple and certain. Now, every time she saw it, she remembered how quickly things could change and how memories don’t always stay perfect.
Symbolism
Bonus: What is the symbol, and what does it represent?
Identify the tone:
On the last day of the school trip, Noah and Lila lingered near the museum steps long after everyone else had boarded the bus. The sunset painted the sky in soft shades of orange and pink, and the city lights were just beginning to flicker on. “I didn’t want this day to end so fast,” Lila admitted, twirling a ticket stub between her fingers. Noah smiled, looking at her instead of the street, as if the view had shifted without him noticing. For a moment, neither of them moved, caught in the quiet space between goodbye and something neither of them said out loud.
Romantic, tender, reflective, affectionate, sentimental
Write a Thesis Statement:
You have read three informational texts: “Community Programs and Crime Reduction” by Dr. Alicia Benton, “The Role of Law Enforcement in Preventing Violence” by Marcus Reed, and “Education as a Long-Term Solution to Violence” by Dr. Samuel Ortiz. All three texts explore different approaches to reducing violence in communities. Write an essay that analyzes how each author develops their argument about reducing violence and evaluates which solution is most effective. Be sure to use evidence from all three texts to support your response.
In the texts, “Community Programs and Crime Reduction” by Dr. Alicia Benton, “The Role of Law Enforcement in Preventing Violence” by Marcus Reed, and “Education as a Long-Term Solution to Violence” by Dr. Samuel Ortiz, each author develops their argument about reducing violence with different levels of effectiveness, however Benton uses ____, while Reed uses ____ and Ortiz uses _____.