Transcript Notice and Note Signposts

Notice and Note Signposts
Essential Question: What do good readers do?
STOP and Notice and Note

When you’re reading and a character says
or does something that’s opposite
(contradicts) what he has been saying or
doing all along.You should stop and ask
yourself:
◦ “Why is the character doing that?”

The answers could help you make a
prediction or make an inference about
the plot and conflict.
1. Contrasts and Contradictions
What is the
Signpost?
Clues to the
Signpost
What it helps us
understand
A sharp contrast
between what we
expect and what we
observe the
character doing.
-A character behaves
in a way we don’t
expect.
-An element of the
setting changes in a
way we don’t expect.
-Character development
-Internal conflict (the
character’s stuggles)
-Theme
-Relationship between
setting and plot
Example:
Chrysanthemum
loves her name, then
hates her name.
Explanation:
She comes home after
school “wilted” and
sad. Then her parents
boost her spirits up
again.
-Develops character, she’s
still young and can be
easily peer pressured or
bullied. Unsure of herself
-Possible theme (never
give up who you are;
don’t let anyone tell you
who you can or cannot
be)
Deep Questions to ask when you
Spot a Contrast and Contradiction

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Does this C&C show me a new side of the character? Is it
something that he has been hiding from us or does it show us
that the character changed?
Does it tell us about the differences between individuals or
groups? (could be a conflict arising)
Is the contrast what you would expect for the setting or could it
be showing you some unique feature of the setting?
Is the contrast between what the character wants to achieve and
what he actually does or discovers? (We could be learning about
the theme)
Is the contradiction between what the character does and says?
(learning about character and inner conflict)
Does the contradiction show the character making an important
decision or doing something that surprises you? (Theme)
Aha Moment


When you’re reading and suddenly a
character realizes, understands, or finally
figures something out.
STOP and ask yourself:
◦ “How might this change things?”
If the character just figured out the problem,
you probably just learned the conflict.
 If the character just understood a life lesson,
you probably just learned the theme.

Aha Moment
What is the
Signpost?
Clues to the
Signpost
What it helps us
understand
A character’s
realization about
something that shifts
his actions or his
understandings of
himself, others, or
the world around
him
Phrases like:
“Suddenly I
understood…”
“In an instant I knew”
“The realization hit
me that…”
-Character development
-Internal conflict (the
character’s stuggles)
-Plot
Example:
Explanation:
The 3 kinds of AHA Moments
1.
2.
3.
When the character suddenly realizes
what his problem is.
When the character sees the pathway
to the resolution of the conflict or the
solution of the problem.
When the character comes to a broader
understanding that might be seen as a
lesson for life and possibly the theme of
the book.
Question Brainstorm

Easy questions to ask yourself:
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Tough questions to ask yourself:
Tough Questions
When you’re reading and the character
asks himself a really difficult question.
 You should stop and ask yourself:

◦ “What does this question make me wonder
about?”

The answers will tell you about the
conflict and might give you ideas about
what will happen later in the story.
Tough Questions
What is the
Signpost?
Clues to the
Signpost
What it helps us
understand
Questions a
character raises that
reveal his or her
inner struggles
Phrases expressing
doubt or confusion:
“What could I
possibly do…”
“I had never been so
confused about…”
“How could she ever
understand…”
-Character development
-Internal conflict (the
character’s stuggles)
-Theme
Example:
What you should ask yourself when
you see a Tough Question
How would I react in the character’s
situation?
2. What alternatives does the character seem
to have in answering the question?
3. What values will help the character make
his or her choice (concern for other
people, desire for wealth, determination to
appear courageous, something else)?
4. What would happen if the character made
this choice, instead of that one?
1.
Words of the Wiser

When you’re reading and a character
(who’s probably older and lots wiser)
takes the main character aside and gives
serious advice, you should stop and ask
yourself:
◦ “What’s the life lesson, and how might it affect
the character?”

Answering this question probably tells
you the theme for the story.
Words of the Wiser
What is the
Signpost?
Clues to the
Signpost
The advice or insight Main character and
of a wiser character wise character are
(usually older).
usually having
conversation by
themselves.
Quiet moment.
Advice about a
problem or decision.
Example:
What it helps us
understand
-Theme
-Internal conflict
-Relationship between
character and plot
Again & Again

When you’re reading and you notice a
word, phrase, object, or situation
mentioned over and over, you should stop
and ask yourself:
◦ “Why does this keep showing up again and
again?”

This may tell you about the conflict,
theme, and may foreshadow what might
happen later.
Again and Again
What is the
Signpost?
Clues to the
Signpost
What it helps us
understand
Events, images, or
particular words
that repeat over a
portion of the story.
Repeated.
Sometimes used in an
odd way to make a
point.
-Plot
-Setting
-Symbolism
-Theme
-Character Development
-Conflict
Example:
Memory Moment

When you’re reading and the author
interrupts the action to tell you a
memory, you should stop and ask
yourself:
◦ “Why might this memory be important?”

The answers can tell you about the
theme, conflict, or foreshadow what might
happen later in the story.
Memory Moment
What is the
Signpost?
Clues to the
Signpost
What it helps us
understand
When a character
remembers
something that
interrupts the story.
Sometimes a
flashback.
The story stops for
several paragraphs or
more while the
character remembers
a scene.
-Character development
-Plot
-Theme
-Relationship between
character and plot
Example:
What should we do when we get to
a Signpost? ASK…
Why is the character doing that?
 How might this change things?
 What does this question make me
wonder?
 What’s the life lesson and how might it
affect the character?
 Why does this keep happening?
 Why is this important?
