Plot & Structure
What is the part of a story where characters, setting, and conflict are introduced?
Exposition
What is a theme?
The central message or insight about life
What do we call the author’s word choice?
Diction
What point of view uses “I” and lets the reader into one character’s mind?
First person
What are the four main author’s purposes?
To inform, persuade, entertain, or express
List the five parts of a linear plot in order.
Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution
What is a universal theme?
a message that applies across cultures and time periods
What is tone, and how is it different from mood?
Tone = author’s attitude, Mood = reader’s feeling
Define dramatic irony
When the audience knows something the characters don’t
Define explicit meaning
Clearly stated in the text
What’s the difference between a flashback and foreshadowing?
Flashback looks back; foreshadowing hints forward
How does setting help create mood?
It influences the emotional tone—stormy = tense, sunny = peaceful
What is syntax?
What’s the difference between third-person limited and omniscient?
Limited = one mind; omniscient = all minds
Define implicit meaning and give an example
Implied meaning; ex: clenched fists = anger
What kind of plot jumps around in time instead of following a clear beginning, middle, and end?
Non-Linear Plot
Identify the theme: “Sometimes people must break the rules to do what is right.”
Justice vs. Order, or Moral Courage
Name 4 sound devices used in poetry
alliteration, consonance, assonance, rhyme
Give an example of dramatic irony from a book or movie
Any answer showing audience awareness before characters, e.g., Juliet’s fake death
What clues help a reader identify the author's audience?
Word choice, tone, references, formality
Explain how the structure of a story can affect its theme.
Structure can reveal or obscure important ideas; e.g., nonlinear stories may build suspense or delay meaning
DAILY DOUBLE!
WRITE: How can a story’s setting contribute to both conflict and theme?
A story’s setting can shape the conflict by creating obstacles or tensions for the characters, while also reinforcing the theme by reflecting the deeper message or societal issues explored in the plot.
How do diction and syntax work together to create tone?
Word choice and sentence structure combine to show attitude: short, sharp words = anger, complex = thoughtful
How does narrator perspective influence theme?
What the narrator sees, knows, or hides can shape what the reader understands about the message
How can you tell if an author is trying to persuade you?
Look for strong opinions, emotional appeals, and persuasive language