Inferencing, Context Clues
What is an inference?
A guess based on clues in the story and your prior knowledge.
What is "theme"?
The lesson the author wants the reader to learn/ the moral of the story
What is direct characterization?
When the author tells you facts and details about a character straight-up.
What is the correct meaning of the word "construction in the following sentence?
They built a new construction by the old grocery store.
a) a job
b) a building structure
b) a building structure
Write all of the common nouns you find in this sentence...
In Fortnite, my son bought a new costume and gun with his V-Bucks.
**Extra 50 points if you find the Proper nouns, too!
Common nouns: son, costume, gun
Proper nouns: Fortnite, V-Bucks
What are 2 strategies to find the meaning an unknown word in a sentence?
1. Use parts of the word that you know
2. use other words in the sentence to help you figure it out (context)
How do you know if something is written in 1st person point-of-view?
Hint: what kind of pronouns?
What is indirect characterization?
When the reader makes guesses about a character's traits based on dialogue or descriptions of a character.
What does the word "smitten" mean in the following sentence?
When I saw that she was making a special Valentine's Day card just for Kevin, I knew that she was smitten with him.
in love with, crushing on, etc.
Find the adjectives in the following sentence:
My new, pink bedspread has a flowery print on it.
Adjectives: new, pink, flowery
Crack! Thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions that raged like the weather. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand, Max broke out into full sobs. His mother comforted him, “There, there, Max. We’ll just find something else to do.” She began to unpack the basket that was on the counter and offered him a sandwich. Max snapped, “I don’t wanna sand-mich!” A flash from the sky lit up the living room. Boom! Mom sighed.
Why was Max upset?
Because he was supposed to go on a picnic with his mom.
What is symbolism?
When something (an object, item, etc.) is used to represent an idea. It has deeper meaning.
Jason is an excellent accountant who works full-time for his best friend's company. A larger accounting firm contacts Jason and offers to pay him twice what he makes if he will work for them. Jason thanks them for their offer but declines. He doesn't even tell his friend that he received the offer.
What is a character trait Jason have?
Smart, loyal
Which of the following words in the sentence is possessive?
After school, Myia's mom picks her up to take her to cheer practice.
Myia's
Find the adverbs in the following sentence:
After my math class, I run quickly to my Mariachi class so I am not late and can happily begin playing my guitarone.
Adverbs: quickly, happily
Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him. He threw his book bag on the floor and plopped onto the couch. After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell asleep with a slice on his stomach and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school the next day, he was noticeably distraught. He balled up his report card and placed it inside a soup can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down in the garbage can and arranged loose pieces of trash over it. As he plopped down on the couch, he let out a sigh and picked up his controller.
Why does Kyle put his report card in the garbage?
He doesn't want his mom to know he got bad grades.
Identify the symbolism in the following quote:
"All the world's a stage,And all the men and women merely players"
stage or players
After coming home late from a party, Mae's father questioned her. She wanted to tell him that she was studying at a friend's place and lost track of time, but she told him the truth instead: she was at a party.
What character trait does Mae have?
Trustworthy, truthful
What does the word "laborious" mean in the following sentence?
Dexter wanted to take honors math, but the course load was too laborious alongside his football practices.
too much hard work
Find the conjunctions in the following paragraph:
For breakfast, I like to eat pancakes and bacon since it is the most important meal of the day.
Conjunctions: and, since
Other examples of conjunctions: for, and, not, but, or, yet, so, because
Anastasia sat by the fountain in the park with her head in her palms. She was weeping mournfully and her clothing was disheveled. In between gasps and sobs, Anastasia cried out a name: “Oh... John…” And then her cell phone beeped. Her hand ran into her purse and her heart fluttered. The text message was from John. She opened up the message and read the few bare words, “I need to get my jacket back from you.” Anastasia threw her head into her arms and continued sobbing.
What relationship do John and Anastasia have?
Boyfriend/ Girlfriend
Identify a symbol in the following quote:
"Ah Sunflower, weary of time, Who countest the steps of the sun; Seeking after that sweet golden clime Where the traveler's journey is done;"
Sunflower or journey
Is this an example of direct or indirect characterization:
“I yawned, trying to keep my eyes open in the meeting. I reached for my coffee cup and was disappointed to realize it was empty.”
Indirect
Which of the following phrases has a negative connotation/ weighted words?
a) the boards were torn up
b) the stairs glistened
c) he walked up the stair
a) the boards were torn up
Where would you put the comma in the following sentence? (Coordinate Adjectives)
I wanted a soft silky sweater for Christmas.
I wanted a soft, silky sweater for Christmas.