Lesson Name & Number
Lesson 3: Literary Text Evidence
Key Concepts
What does it mean to analyze a text? Analyzing a text means examining its parts to understand how they work together to create meaning. This involves looking closely at elements like themes, characters, plot, and literary devices to interpret the author's message.
What are explicit meanings? Explicit meanings refer to the clear and direct messages or themes presented in the text. These meanings are presented openly and can be found through a straightforward reading of the text.
What must you use to provide support for your analysis of the explicit meanings in a story? Readers must use their textual evidence, which includes quotes, descriptions, and details from the story, to provide support for their analysis of explicit meanings.
Readers must use their own _______________ and _______________ to make inferences.
Readers must use their own background knowledge and experiences to make inferences.
_______________ are conclusions that readers draw by using the _______________ in the text and their own _______________.
Inferences are conclusions that readers draw by using the details in the text and their own reasoning.
What does it mean to imply something?
To imply something means to suggest or indicate an idea or feeling indirectly rather than stating it outright.
What does it mean to infer something?
To infer something means to deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.
Lesson 4: Literary Word Choice
What is syntax?
Syntax is the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language, influencing how meaning is conveyed.
What is tone?
Tone refers to the attitude or emotional quality of the writer's voice and can affect how readers perceive the content.
Authors choose their words carefully to establish a particular _______________ and to make clear their overall _______________ and purpose.
Authors choose their words carefully to establish a particular tone and to make clear their overall message and purpose.
What is a word’s connotation?
A word's connotation refers to the emotional and associative meanings attached to that word beyond its literal definition.
What is figurative language?
Figurative language involves the use of words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation, often to create imagery or express complex ideas.
What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
A simile compares two different things using "like" or "as," while a metaphor makes a direct comparison between two different things without using "like" or "as."
What is the literal meaning of a word?
The literal meaning of a word is its primary, dictionary definition without any embellishment or nuance.
_______________ is the study of a word’s origins and how its meanings have changed over time.
Etymology is the study of a word’s origins and how its meanings have changed over time.
Lesson 5: Theme
What is a theme?
A theme is the central idea or underlying message that is conveyed in a piece of literature.
A theme links a __________ __________ about our world with the action of a __________.
A theme links a universal truth about our world with the action of a narrative.
How is the theme different from the main idea or a summary of the story?
The theme is a deeper message or insight derived from the story, while the main idea is a straightforward summary of the content, and a summary recounts the plot but does not capture the broader significance.
Themes are _______________, meaning anyone can relate to them.
Themes are universal, meaning anyone can relate to them.
What theme is found in the story of Anansi the Spider (in the video)?
The theme in the story of Anansi the Spider revolves around the importance of cunning and ingenuity in overcoming challenges.
What is the theme in the story?
The theme in "He—y! Come on Ou—t!” centers around the consequences of greed and the importance of making ethical choices.
How does the surprise ending of the story contribute to the theme?
The surprise ending illustrates the unexpected outcomes of decisions driven by greed, reinforcing the ethical message of the theme.
Lesson 6: Studying Plot
What are the five elements of plot?
The five elements of plot are exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
In Finding Nemo, what is the exposition in the beginning of the story?
The exposition introduces the audience to the underwater world, the characters, and the backstory of Marlin and Nemo.
In Finding Nemo, what conflict occurs in the rising action?
The conflict in the rising action includes Marlin’s journey to find Nemo after he is captured by a diver and the challenges he faces along the way.
What is the climax in Finding Nemo?
The climax occurs when Marlin confronts the dentist and finally reunites with Nemo during the chaotic escape from the fish tank.
What happens in the falling action in Finding Nemo?
In the falling action, Marlin and Nemo return home together while reflecting on their experiences and the lessons learned.
What is the resolution in Finding Nemo?
The resolution shows the characters settling back into their lives, highlighting Marlin’s growth as a father and his newfound trust in Nemo.
If you have not done so already, watch these videos: Flashback in Literature AND Foreshadowing in Literature. Then answer the following questions:
What is a flashback?
A flashback is a literary device that interrupts the chronological flow of a narrative to present past events or memories.
Why do authors use flashbacks?
Authors use flashbacks to provide background information, deepen character development, and enhance the understanding of current events in the story.
What can the reader learn through a flashback scene?
Through a flashback scene, readers can gain insight into a character's past experiences, motivations, or relationships that inform their present behavior.
What is foreshadowing?
Foreshadowing is a literary device that gives hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.
Why do authors use foreshadowing?
Authors use foreshadowing to build anticipation, create suspense, and prepare the reader for upcoming events.
Briefly explain the different types of foreshadowing:
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Concrete Foreshadowing: Explicit hints provided through specific events or dialogue.
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Prophesy Foreshadowing: References or hints about future events, often found in foretold prophecies.
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Flashback Foreshadowing: Uses a brief recollection of past events to hint at future outcomes.
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Symbolic Foreshadowing: Uses symbols or imagery to suggest what might happen later in the story.
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“Red Herring” Foreshadowing: Misleading clues that divert attention away from the actual outcome.
Lastly, complete the activity below.
Watch this clip from The Lion King. What example of foreshadowing do you see?
An example of foreshadowing in The Lion King is when Rafiki presents Simba's baby picture, hinting at Simba's future role as king.
Watch this clip from Ratatouille. What example of flashback do you see?
An example of flashback in Ratatouille occurs when Remy remembers cooking alongside his mother, which shapes his passion for culinary art.
Lesson 7: Setting
What is mood?
Mood refers to the emotional atmosphere created by a literary work, influencing how readers feel as they engage with the text.
What is setting?
Setting is the time and place in which the events of a story occur, including physical location, time period, and cultural context.
What is structure?
Structure refers to the organized framework or arrangement of a literary work, including its plot development and how the narrative is constructed.
______________ refers to not only the physical place where the story happens but also to the hour, day, season, or a historical time period in which the story is set.
Setting refers to not only the physical place where the story happens but also to the hour, day, season, or a historical time period in which the story is set.
What is context?
Context refers to the circumstances or conditions surrounding a text, including historical background, cultural influences, and the author's intent.
The setting of the story may do the following:
- Establish the mood and atmosphere.
- Influence character behavior and decisions.
- Reflect themes and symbols.
- Provide background information for the plot.
Lesson 8: Character Development
What is a character?
A character is a person or figure in a narrative, distinguished by their traits, motivations, and roles within the story.
What are narrative techniques?
Narrative techniques are methods used by authors to tell a story, including point of view, structure, and characterization.
The process by which authors reveal a character’s physical appearance, personality, motivations, and point of view is called ____________________.
The process by which authors reveal a character's physical appearance, personality, motivations, and point of view is called characterization.
In which type of characterization does the author TELL readers what a character is like through statements and descriptions?
This type of characterization is called direct characterization.
In which type of characterization does the author SHOW readers what a character is like through the way the character speaks, dresses, or acts, what the character thinks, and how other characters react to that character?
This type of characterization is called indirect characterization.
What is a complex character?
A complex character is one who possesses depth and detailed characteristics, often displaying conflicting traits and emotions.
Characters’ reasons for their actions and behaviors is called ____________________.
Characters’ reasons for their actions and behaviors is called motivation.
What is the difference between a complex character and a static character?
A complex character undergoes development and change throughout the story, while a static character remains unchanged from beginning to end.
Characters drive a story’s _______________ forward through the conflicts they create and serve as vehicles through which authors convey their _______________.
Characters drive a story’s plot forward through the conflicts they create and serve as vehicles through which authors convey their themes.
Lesson 11: Summarizing Literary Text
What is a summary? (Lesson pg. 1)
A summary is a concise overview of the main points and essential details of a text, capturing the primary ideas without personal opinion.
What does being objective mean? (Lesson pg. 3)
Being objective means presenting information without bias or personal feelings, focusing solely on the facts and content.
If you have not done so already, read the short story “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury. You may also watch this video. Then complete the Summarizing Texts Graphic Organizer below.
Summarizing Texts Graphic Organizer
(This section would typically include a template for summarizing "The Pedestrian," requiring details such as main ideas, characters, setting, and plot points.)