Key Words 1
What is previewing?
When you study a novel's cover, title, and first paragraph before reading it.
If you encounter a word with more than one possible meaning while reading a novel, you should use the _________ around the word to figure out the word’s meaning.
context clues
What is the climax of a story?
The summary if a novel is...
a brief retelling of the novel's story, which includes the main idea and key details without spoiling the whole story.
At the end of Chapter 3, Opal asks her father to tell her ten things about her mama. Opal says that Winn-Dixie agreed that she should ask him this question. What inference should readers make about this detail?
Opal feels braver with Winn-Dixie around.
To _______ something with something else is to notice the similarities between two things.
compare
The ________ of a character is the reason why a character does something in a story.
motivation
When the events start to build up after the conflict is introduced.
Inferences about a character is based on what a character _______ and what the character ________.
Inferences about a character is based on what a character does and what the character says.
Opal describes Amanda Wilkinson as “pinch-faced” and avoids her when she can. Make an inference about Opal’s behavior toward this girl. Why does Opal try so hard to avoid Amanda?
She assumes that Amanda wouldn’t want to be her friend.
To __________ something with someone else is to notice the differences between two things.
contrast
An ___________ is a smart guess you make while reading by using clues from the text plus what you already know to figure out something the author doesn’t say directly.
inference
What is the falling action in a story?
After the climax when the story begins to slow down and reach the end.
What steps should you take to make inferences about a character in a novel?
You pay attention to what type of character traits the character has, as well as what they say and do.
Gloria Dump often advises Opal. What is her motivation for doing so?
She wants to help others learn from her own experiences.
How are figures of speech and idioms alike?
Both describe things that aren’t literally true.
A __________ is a type of figurative speech that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as.”
simile
What does a novel’s conflict show you—besides the problems faced by the characters?
The character traits of its characters and the themes or big ideas it might develop.
How does prior knowledge about a novel’s topics help you understand the novel’s meaning?
It helps us to connect themes, characters, and events to our own experiences and existing knowledge.
In Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal’s dog helps her resolve the novel’s conflicts. However, Opal works to solve her problems too. How do Opal’s actions develop her character?
They demonstrate her bravery and determination.
Name 3 types of figures of speech.
Similies, metaphors, idioms, etc.
What is the theme of a story?
The big idea or message the author wants readers to learn. It’s not just what happens in the plot—it’s what the story means.
Name all five plot elements in order
Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution
How is analyzing a novel different from reading a novel?
Reading is enjoying the story. Analyzing is thinking about how and why the story was written.
What does the candy "Littmus Lozenges" symbolize in Because of Winn-Dixie?
The sorrow that nearly all humans experience at some point