Unit 2 Theme and Characterization

With hands on hips, Kendra appraised the clay figure, a disaster if she ever saw one—and of her own making. Her feeble attempt at sculpting had resulted in a catastrophic failure, the misshapen lump before her a humiliating disappointment. When her art professor entered the studio, she expected nothing but reproach, which made his words all the more startling.
“Kendra,” he exclaimed, “you’ve created a masterpiece, something to be truly proud of.”
That moment, Kendra experienced an astonishing revelation: she really was her own worst critic.

What is the theme of this story?

• Regret is part of life.

• Art stretches one's spirit.

• People are hardest on themselves.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Themes can be expressed through which of the following?

• characters/actions

• thoughts and conversations

• all of the above

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

During the holidays, my mother’s house glittered with decorations and hummed with preparations. We ate cookies and drank cider while we helped her wrap bright packages and trim the tree. We felt warm and excited, listening to Christmas carols .  

What is the mood of the passage?

• romantic

• happy

• jealous

• anxious

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

After New Year’s the time came to put all the decorations away and settle in for the long, cold winter. The house seemed to sigh as we boxed up its finery. The tree was dry and brittle, and now waited forlornly by the side of the road for pick up.

What is the mood of the passage?

• cautious 

• hopeful

• tense

• dreary

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Many breeds of dogs are used for work. In many cultures dogs are used to herd sheep. The dogs keep the flock from being attacked by animals such as wolves. They also keep sheep from wandering off. Sheepdogs are known for their loyalty and gentleness. Based on your reading of the text, you can INFER that:

• There are many breeds of dogs.

• Sheepdogs are gentle and loyal. 

• Sheepdogs are not very smart dogs. 

• Wolves are afraid of sheepdogs. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

As the snow fell gently outside, the family gathered around the fireplace, sharing stories and laughter. The warmth of the fire and the closeness of loved ones made the evening feel magical.

What is the mood of the passage?

• melancholic

• joyful

• tense

• fearful

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

After the festive season ended, the streets were quiet and the decorations were taken down. The once vibrant neighborhood now seemed dull and lifeless.

What is the mood of the passage?

• cheerful

• somber

• excited

• relaxed

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5

What is the best definition of THEME?

• A universal truth, moral, or idea that the author wants to express. 
• The location and time of the story
• The events that occur in the story
• The author's reason for writing a story

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Why is it important to find a story's theme?

• It is the purpose/reason why the author wrote the story in the first place.

• You need to know it to understand how the story ends.

• If you don't find it, you won't know what the story is about or understand what is happening.

• Your teacher might ask you to find it or might ask you to write a theme paragraph, so you have to know how to find it.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

What is the primary purpose of identifying the mood in a passage?

• To understand the author's background.

• To grasp the emotional setting of the text.

• To determine the genre of the story.

• To identify the main characters.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5