1. Becoming stronger, more analytical and faster readers
Signposts for Reading
Becoming stronger, more analytical and faster readers

2. Ah-Ha Moment What is an Ah-ha moment?
A basic overview:
What is an Ah-ha moment?
The moment when an character has a realization or new understanding.
Ask yourself: How might this realization impact the character? How might it change the conflict? How might this connect to concepts or irony in the text?
Let’s take another look… What is the “ah-ha” moment for Morgan Freeman? *

3. Contrasts & Contradictions (Changes & Surprises)
A basic overview:
So what does “Contrasts & Contradictions” or “Changes & Surprises” mean?
It is looking for the moment when a character does something that changes; it is something that isn’t their normal behavior.
It is a surprising moment to the reader, which usually marks an important turning point, connection to a concept, and may point out irony.

4. Contrasts & Contradictions (Changes & Surprises)
Ask Yourself:
What does the character’s change show us about how they’re ACTING or FEELING?
What does the change in conflict tell you about the CONCEPTS or THEMES in the text?
How might this change point to any IRONY in the text?
Let’s take another look… Where do you find change or surprises in this clip from Finding Nemo?

5. Again & Again What is an “Again & Again”?
A basic overview:
What is an “Again & Again”?
This is an image, word, or situation that is repeated, leading the reader to wonder about its importance.
Ask yourself:
Why might the author keep bringing this up?
What connections do I see to SYMBOLS/CONCEPTS in the text?
What might this repetition FORESHADOW?

6. Again & Again Let’s take another look…
Write down the repetition you see/hear in this music video:
What repetition did you SEE?
Why does the video maker keep using these images? What does it show?
How might these connect to concepts, themes, symbols, mood, or foreshadowing?

7. Titles What do titles of novels, plays, movies, tv shows tell us?
Example:
“Harry Potter”
“Hunger Games”
“All Summer in A Day”
“Tell Tale Heart”
THEME
SYMBOLS
MAIN CHARACTERS
CENTRAL CONFLICT

8. Beginnings & Endings What are “Beginnings & Endings?”
Authors put important information at the beginning and end of a story.
What do directors reveal at the beginning of a movie?
What do directors reveal at the end of a movie?
Ask yourself:
What can I infer about potential conflicts, concepts, or character changes from this information?
What might this information foreshadow?

9. Long Descriptions What are “Long Descriptions”?
Portions of a text that include plenty of detail and information.
Develops a concept/symbol; help characters with aha moments
Ask yourself:
What might these details suggest about the CHARACTER, SETTING, or MOOD of the story?

10. Words of the Wiser What are Words of the Wiser?
A basic overview:
What are Words of the Wiser?
When a character takes the main character aside and offers serious, critical, or important advice.
Helps us recognize THEME (life lessons, morals, etc.)
ASK: What’s the life lesson and how might it affect the character?
Let’s take another look… what are the “Words of the Wiser”?

11. Literary Devices
Create feelings, establish moods, develop concepts/themes
Ask: How does the device affect the mood or imagery in my mind?
Example: “Mrs. Margolin even looked like a mother duck– she had hair cropped close to a small ball of a head, almost no neck, and huge, miraculous breasts. She wore enormous belts that looked like the kind that weightlifters wear, except hers would be cheap metallic gold or rabbit fur or covered with gigantic fake sunflowers…”
What impression do we take away from this imagery (vivid description) of Mrs. Margolin? How does the narrator view her authority?
While we are reading, keep track of literary devices you find.

12. Memory Moments What is a Memory Moment?
A basic overview:
What is a Memory Moment?
When you’re reading and the author interrupts the action to tell you a memory.
Helps us find THEME, CENTRAL CONFLICT
Might foreshadow what will happen later in the story.
ASK: Why might this memory be important?

13. Memory Moments Authors sometimes say…
“I remembered the first time I met him...”
“In that very moment, the memory came flooding back…”
“My dad liked to tell the story about…”
“This picture reminded me of the time when…”
Can you think of what else the authors say to set up a memory moment?
Let’s take another look…
Why was this memory moment important? What is the bigger reason Jessie doesn’t want Woody to leave?
While reading Brownies annotate for the Memory Moment—ask yourself “Why might this be important?”.