Inference
In a story, a character grabs an umbrella before leaving the house. What can you infer?
It is probably raining or likely to rain soon.
What is a simile?
A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as"
What are the three main purposes authors might have for writing a text?
To inform, to entertain, and to persuade.
What is the "climax" of a story?
The climax is the most exciting point in a story, usually when the main conflict reaches its peak or turning point.
How are fiction and nonfiction texts different?
Fiction tells made-up stories while nonfiction presents factual information about real events, people, or ideas.
In a story, a student studies all night for a test, but falls asleep during the exam. What can you infer about how the student will perform on the test?
The student will likely perform poorly because they were too tired to focus.
Identify the type of figurative language: "The stars were diamonds in the sky."
This is a metaphor, which directly compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as."
How can you identify if an author's purpose is to persuade?
The text will include opinions, arguments, evidence to support a position, and language that tries to convince the reader to agree or take action.
What are the five main elements of plot?
Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Compare and contrast a poem and a short story.
Both tell stories or express ideas, but poems typically use rhythm and rhyme, are shorter, and use more figurative language, while short stories use paragraphs, have more developed characters, and a clear beginning, middle, and end.
In a story, a character's heart beats faster and their palms get sweaty when they're about to give a speech. What can you infer about how the character feels?
The character feels nervous or anxious about giving the speech.
Identify and explain the figurative language: "The ancient oak tree stood guard over the playground."
This is personification - giving human qualities (standing guard) to a non-human thing (the tree), suggesting the tree is protecting the playground like a security guard would.
Why might an author include statistics in an article about endangered animals?
To inform readers with specific data about the problem, create credibility, and persuade readers to care about the issue by showing its severity with numbers.
How might a story's setting affect the main character's conflict and the events of the plot?
The setting can create specific challenges and influence characters' decisions and cause the possible conflicts in the story.
How are the themes in "Charlotte's Web" and "The Lion King" similar and different?
Both explore themes of friendship and loyalty, but Charlotte's Web focuses more on selfless sacrifice, while The Lion King emphasizes responsibility and coming of age.
In a story, a new student sits alone at lunch every day for a week. Other students whisper when she walks by. What can you infer about the social situation?
The new student may be having trouble fitting in, and the other students might be gossiping about her rather than including her.
Identify and explain the figurative language: "The news spread through the school like wildfire."
This is a simile comparing how quickly news travels to how quickly wildfire spreads. It emphasizes that information moved very rapidly from person to person, just as fire can quickly spread across an area.
What text features and language choices would you expect to find in a text written to persuade readers about an environmental issue?
You would expect to find strong opinion statements, emotional language, facts and statistics as evidence, calls to action, descriptive words that create concern, rhetorical questions, and possibly images or captions highlighting the issue.
What are three ways an author might structure a plot, and how does structure affect the reader's experience?
Authors might use chronological structure (events in time order), flashbacks/flashforwards (jumping in time), or multiple perspectives (showing different characters' viewpoints).
Compare and contrast first-person and third-person point of view in stories.
First-person uses "I" and shows only one character's thoughts and feelings, while third-person uses "he/she/they" and can either focus on one character's perspective or show multiple characters' thoughts and feelings.
In a story, a character receives a letter, quickly tears it open, then slumps in a chair with tears in her eyes. Later that day, she begins packing a suitcase. What can you infer from these details?
The character received bad news in the letter that is causing her to travel somewhere, possibly related to a loved one being sick or dying, or another emergency.
Say examples of figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and onomatopoeia) using a lion.
Simile: As brave as a lion.
Metaphor: Her hair was a fierce lion's mane.
Personification: In the jungle, the lion sings tonight.
Hyperbole: I'm so hungry I could eat a lion.
Onomatopoeia: ROAR!!!
How can understanding the author's purpose help you evaluate the credibility and effectiveness of a text?
Understanding the author's purpose helps you identify why the author is writing a piece of text. Whether it is to persuade, to inform, explain, or entertain.
Explain how internal and external conflicts can interact to drive a plot forward.
Internal conflicts (character's struggle with themselves/emotions) and external conflicts (against other characters/nature/society) often interact and affects each other.
How might you compare and contrast the presentation of a similar theme in two different genres, such as a poem and a short story?
Both convey the same message but use different techniques to engage readers. Poems may use rhythm, rhyme, and concentrated language to convey the theme emotionally, while short stories develop the theme through character development, dialogue, and plot over a longer format.