Setting
What is setting?
Setting is the time and place in which a story takes place.
What is theme?
Theme is the moral or lesson of the story.
What is a narrator?
The voice telling the story.
What is paraphrasing?
Translating a story into your own words.
The abandoned house looked dilapidated, its windows were broken, roof was falling apart, and weeds covered the yard.
What does dilapidated most likely mean?
A: Beautiful and modern
B: Old and in poor condition
C: Small and comfortable
Old and in poor condition
Imagine a character is lost in a dark forest at midnight. How might the character feel or what mood does the setting create?
The character may feel scared or anxious. The mood may be spooky or scary.
A character keeps practicing for a difficult competition even after failing several times.
What theme could this story teach?
Never give up even when something is difficult.
What's the purpose of identifying narrator influence in a story?
To determine if you can trust the story being told and identify the deeper meaning.
Paraphrase the following text:
"The science project explosion wasn't my fault at all. I followed the instructions perfectly. I mean, yes. I added three extra scoops of the chemical because the beaker looked a little empty, and maybe I didn't read the warning label on the back, but the instructions should have been clearer! The lab kit company is entirely responsible."
Possible answer:
Although I added extra chemicals and ignored the warning label, I still believe the science project explosion was the lab kit company's fault.
Marcus was reluctant to speak in front of his class, he felt nervous and kept looking down at his desk.
What does reluctant most likely mean?
A: Excited to do something
B: Unwilling or hesitant
C: Angry about something
Unwilling or hesitant
A story takes place in a small town during a week long power outage. How might the setting affect the characters and events of the story?
The characters may have to find ways to live without electricity. They may become stressed, bored, or worried about safety.
Two friends have an argument. Instead of staying angry, one friend apologizes and listens to the other persons feelings.
What lesson might the author want readers to learn?
Forgiveness and communication can help solve problems.
"My cupcakes were absolute perfection. The frosting was a sculptural masterpiece, and the cake melted in your mouth. Maya's cupcakes, on the other hand, looked like lumpy mudpies. The judges only gave her the ribbon because her grandma is neighbors with the principal. Everyone knows mine were the real winners"
What detail suggests the narrators perspective might not match reality?
The narrator claims their own cupcakes are "absolute perfection".
Paraphrase the story:
"My older brother Leo is so nice. He decided to help our neighbor carry her brand-new TV out to his car while she wasn't even home so she'd be surprised! He was moving super fast and wearing a cool black ski mask to keep warm. He told me to keep watch and play a fun game of hiding if a police car drove up."
Possible response:
The narrator mistakenly believes Leo is doing a good deed by taking the neighbor’s TV while she is away, even though his disguise and efforts to avoid the police suggest he is actually stealing it.
The puppy was famished after spending the entire afternoon around the park. It quickly ate two bowls of food.
What does famished most likely mean
A: Extremely tired
B: Extremely thirsty
C: Extremely hungry
Extremely hungry
Imagine a story about a teenager who wants to become a musician. How might the story change if the story took place in a small rural town or a big city?
In a small rural town- The teenager may have fewer places to practice or perform so they may have to work harder to find opportunities.
In a large city- They might have more concerts, music schools, or opportunities to meet musicians.
A student sees another student being bullied but is afraid to speak up. Eventually, the student decides to ask for help from a teacher.
What could be the theme of the story?
It is important to stand up to bullying and ask for help.
"The cafeteria was an absolute war zone today. Billions of tater tots were flying through the air like actual missiles. People were screaming for their lives and diving under tables to escape brutal chaos. I barely survived the stampede when the principal walked in and calmly told two boys to pick up a dropped tray."
Compare the narrator's emotional description with the actual event described at the end.
The narrator uses extreme exaggeration. The reality shifts when the principal calmly walks in.
Paraphrase the text:
"Sarah only got the lead role in the school play because she practiced all summer, which honestly is just cheating. I didn't need to practice because my natural talent is way higher. The director didn't even look at me during auditions- he was probably just intimidated by my star power. My performance would have been legendary."
Possible response:
The narrator arrogantly claims Sarah only got the lead role because she practiced, while insisting that his natural talent alone should have earned him the part despite not preparing for the audition.
Unlike his boisterous brother, who was always loud and energetic, Kaleb preferred to sit quietly and read.
What does boisterous most likely mean?
A: Shy
B: Serious
C: Loud
Loud
Read the sentence.
The wind howled through the empty streets as snow covered the rooftops.
Is the mood cheerful, peaceful, or mysterious?
Mysterious
In Seventh Grade and Stargirl, what was a common theme among both stories?
You should always be yourself.
"I didn't eat the last piece of pizza. I wasn't even in the kitchen. I was upstairs doing homework the whole afternoon. Besides, that pizza looked super stale anyway, and the crust was burnt, so whoever ate it actually did everyone a huge favor because it tasted awful. But again, it definitely wasn't me."
What slip-up in the text reveals that the narrator is likely lying about not eating the pizza?
The narrator slips up by describing the exact taste and quality of the pizza.
Paraphrase this text:
"I am completely certain that I handed my essay directly to Mr. Davis on Friday morning. I remember walking up to his desk right after the bell rang. Or was that Thursday? No, Thursday I was late. Wait, Friday was the day I left my backpack in the cafeteria... but I know for a fact he lost it! It couldn't be in my locker."
Possible response:
The narrator confidently blames Mr. Davis for losing the essay, even though their confused and contradictory memories suggest they may not have turned it in at all.
The teachers gave the students a brief explanation of the assignment. She spoke for only two minutes before allowing them to begin.
What does the word brief most likely mean?
A: Short
B: Detailed
C: Difficult
Short