Fiction and Nonfiction Literary Analysis Flashcards
Title
Do the words in the title prompt ideas or stir emotions?
Do the words include any “universal theme” words (love, friendship, nature, time)?
What are the six clues to theme?
Title Conflict Setting Characters Statements and Observations. Symbols
Conflict
What is the main conflict in the story?
How does the conflict affect the characters?
What message about life might the conflict suggest?
Setting
How does the setting affect the characters?
Could this story take place in a different setting?
Characters
What is each character’s main problem or conflict?
Do the characters change or learn anything about life?
Statements and Observations
What do the characters say about themselves and each other?
Which of the narrator’s statements protain to life or human nature?
What sentences stand out in your mind? Why?
Symbols
What objects are important in the story?
How do characters react to particular objects, people, or words?
Facts
Statements that can be proved.
Example:Polar bears can swim as fast as 6.2 miles per hour.
Statistics
Facts in the form of numbers
Example: Only 40% of those polled could remember last year’s Best Picture Winner
Examples
Concrete illustrations of a concept
Example: Shoppers have choice. Supermarkets devote entire aisles to ethnic foods
Observations
Reports from eyewitnesses
Example: During a one-hour period, sixteen cars did not even pause at the stop sign.
Personal experiences
Expirences from life.
Example: I learned that shoes really matter when I finished the hike with blistered feet.
Anecdotes
Stories that make a point
Example: To encourage me to keep trying, my coach said, “I made many mistakes myself in my first year of playing soccer.”
Analogies
Comparison to make a point
Example: Baking a cake is like building a house. You need the right tools and materials.
Context clues
Resentments,example,definitions, and contrasting details in a text that help you unlock meaning of unfilmilar words and expressions.
