1. Notice and Note Signposts
Explained by:
The Pigeon

2. Happen when words, phrases, or situations happen over and over.
Again & Agains
Happen when words, phrases, or situations happen over and over.
Can I drive the bus? Can I? I’ll be your best friend.
The pigeon lets us know how important driving the bus is to him by asking us again and again.

3. Happen when a character tries to give advice to the main character.
Words of the Wiser
Happen when a character tries to give advice to the main character.
Whew, I thought he’d never leave!
The pigeon knows the bus driver has been telling us NOT toe let him drive the bus. He hopes we won’t listen!

4. Contrast and Contradiction
Happen when the character does something that goes against his or her earlier behavior.
It’s just a bus.
The pigeon tells us, “It’s just a bus.” Here it seems like the pigeon doesn’t think driving the bus is important, even though he has been acting like it is.

5. Happen when a character ask themselves tough questions
How about I give you five bucks?
The pigeon really wants to drive the bus and he is trying by asking some tough questions. Here the character is asking the reader not himself.

6. Happen when the author allows us to see a memory.
Memory Moment
Happen when the author allows us to see a memory.
My cousin Herb drives a bus almost every day.
The pigeon recalls that his cousin Herb is allowed to drive a bus. This memory is meant to persuade us to allow him to drive.

7. Happen when a character finally figures something out.
Aha Moments
Happen when a character finally figures something out.
Fine.
The pigeon has learned that you can’t be persuaded; he knows he won’t be driving the bus.