1. Focus on Figurative Language “A Sound of Thunder”
by Ray Bradbury

2. Characterization
The author describes characters in the story to give the reader an idea of what kind of person the character is.
Pick out these aspects of the characters to gain insight about who they are, how they think and how they may or may not act:
Speech
Thoughts
Emotions
Actions
Looks

3. Characterization Think “character traits” What does the character
Speaks like (ex: accent, slang, dialect, stutter…)
Thinks like (ex: ideas, beliefs, expectations…)
Feels like (ex: emotional, sad, reactions to…)
Acts like (ex: dramatic, thoughtful, jumpy…)
Looks like (ex: tall, smelly, blue eyes, shabby…)

4. Characterization Helps the reader remember the character
Makes the story believable and involves the reader
Helps the reader understand motivation

5. Imagery
The description in the story that affects our 5 senses. (sight, touch, sound, taste, smell)
Ex: Though I was tired and my leg had a sharp cramp, I hobbled through the hot and steamy forest. I could smell the rotting leaves as they squished under my feet like piles of peeled, fleshy grapes.

6. Imagery
Allows the reader to feel, see, touch, hear, sense what is going on. This figurative language makes you feel like you are there.

7. Plot Sequence of events in the story Exposition Rising action Climax
Falling action
Resolution

8. Theme The overlying message the author is trying to convey Examples:
Good overcomes evil
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Love conquers all

9. Theme
Think:
Does the book have something to say about the way people behave in a certain situation?
Does the book teach a concept such as war, love, hate, friendship?
Does the book try to convince you to act in a certain way?

10. Foreshadow
The author gives you clues or hints early in the story to suggest what will happen later
Why?
It helps create suspense
Prepares the reader for what will happen (climax or resolution)
Keeps the reader engaged