Understand Setting, Character, and Dialogue

Read this sentence:

Squeezing his eyes shut, Ted clutched the armrest as he waited for the dentist to arrive.

What method of characterization does the sentence use to describe the character?

• Appearance

• Dialogue

• Action

• Thoughts

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How does dialogue help with characterization?

• It shows how characters interact with one another.

• It shows events that happened in the past.

• It shows the physical appearance of a character.

• It shows the actions and gestures of a character.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What is the setting's role in helping to establish characterization in a story?

• It shows the articles of clothing common to the setting.

• It shows how characters react to or interact with their surroundings.

• It shows the historical events that have influenced the setting.

• It shows past events that happened in the story's location.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How can an author's use of setting build tension within a story?

• By having a character not fit in or be at odds with the setting

• By having a character remember a previous setting

• By having a character reenact historical events that happened in the setting

• By having a character become comfortable in the setting

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which sentence is an example of characterization through action?

• She was tall, with short-cropped blond hair that was at odds with the length of her face.

• Her front tooth was slightly chipped, making her smile all the more beautiful for its imperfection.

• She closed the door softly, her fingers shaking as she turned the key and bolted the lock.

• Her blue eyes were clouded by age; the wrinkles around the edges had become deeper with each passing year.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What can characterization reveal to the reader?

• The events that will build to the climax and conclusion of the story

• When and where the story takes place

• The fears and motivations of the characters

• The central conflict the characters will have to struggle against

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

In this example, what does the author use to describe the woman?

The woman's long, blond hair flowed behind her like a banner. The men in the room took notice, unsure if it was her extreme height, the sharp angles of her face, or the steadiness of her green eyes that held their attention.

• Thoughts

• Appearance

• Actions

• Dialogue

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How does a reader make an inference about a character?

• By using information from another source to learn more about the character

• By using the character's actions, interactions, and words to learn more about him or her

• By using the author's biographical information to learn more about the character

• By using information about the character that the author has provided in the footnotes

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Read this passage:

"I'll be back by 11," Rhea told the babysitter in a high-pitched voice as she fumbled with her purse. "No later than 11. If you need anything, call me on my cell. If I don't answer, try the restaurant. Here's the number. Just call if you need anything . . . anything at all."

What is the most likely inference a reader can make about Rhea's emotional state?

• She is calm.

• She is regretful.

• She is angry.

• She is nervous.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Read this passage:

I smiled. "I'm doing great! How are you?" This smile is breaking my face; I don't know if I can hold the tears back. I'm going to collapse like a bridge in an earthquake.

How does the difference between the character's spoken words and internal thoughts affect the story?

• It ties up loose ends.

• It introduces a new character.

• It creates dramatic tension.

• It establishes the setting.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3