Common Assessment #1 Review

Front

Plot

Back

The major moments and events that make up a story's narrative

Ex.: Once a Crook, Always a Crook? is about a thief who is released from prison. He decides to change his criminal ways when he falls in love. However, despite his best efforts to change, not everyone trusts that he can change.

Front

Stage Directions

Back

Instructions in a play that tell us about character actions. They are often seen in parentheses next to a character's name.

Ex.: Mike (seeing the rose): Another job already?

Price (to the shopkeeper): Who is that man fitting shoes?

Front

Characterization

Back

When we are told directly or indirectly what a character's personality is like.

Direct Characterization: when the story directly TELLS US what a character is like

Ex.: George is an angry man.

Indirect Characterization: when the story SHOWS US what a character is like through actions and conversations

Ex.: George looked at the child and shouted "GO! Get away from my door!"

Front

Setting

Back

When and where a scene or entire story takes place.

Ex.: Missouri, 1902

Front

Dialogue

Back

The words and sentences that make up a conversation between two characters in a story.

Ex.: Porter: Sorry to interrupt you, sir, but did you know Jimmy Valentine got himself a pardon?

Price: So I heard.

Front

Conflict

Back

The issues or biggest issue in a story that affect our main characters. There are two types of conflict:

Internal Conflict: when the biggest issue for a character is inside them (mental struggle).

External Conflict: when the biggest issue for a character is someone else, nature, or society.

Front

Inference

Back

To make an informed statement/confident conclusion about a character based on textual evidence from the story

Ex.: In Gary Soto's Seventh Grade, Victor enter his math class and immediately heads to the back of the room. We can infer that this is probably because he does not want to be called on and would rather hide.

Front

Textual Evidence

Back

Stage directions, dialogue, and other clues in the story that helps us make an inference

With textual evidence, our inferences fall apart. Textual evidence proves that we are right!

Front

Excerpt

Back

A paragraph or small section of writing from the story.

If a question asks you about an excerpt or passage, it wants you to look at a specific moment from the story NOT the whole story.

Front

Resolution

Back

Arrives at the end of the story when the conflict has been resolved.

Ex.: Jimmy Valentine shows Det. Price that he has become a better, so the officer leaves Jimmy alone for good.