Signposts
Again and Again
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are 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 OVER AND OVER?
The answers will tell you about the theme and conflict or they might foreshadow what will happen later.
Memory Moment
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are reading and the author interrupts the action to tell a memory, you should stop and ask yourself: WHY MIGHT THIS MEMORY BE IMPORTANT?
The answers will tell you about the theme, conflict or might foreshadow what will happen later in the story.
Words of the Wiser
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are reading and a character (who's probably older and a bit 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?
Whatever the lesson is, you probably just found the theme of the story.
Tough Questions
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are 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.
Aha Moment
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are reading and suddenly a character realizes, understands or finally figures out something, you should stop and ask yourself: HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE THINGS?
If the character figured out a problem, you probably just learned something abut the conflict. If the character understands a life lesson, you probably just learned the theme.
Contrasts and Contradictions
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are reading and a character says or does something that different from what you would do, what the character has done in the past or what other characters are doing, you should stop and ask yourself: WHY IS THE CHARACTER DOING THAT?
The answers could help you make a prediction, make an inference about the plot or conflict or characterize more effectively.
Again and Again
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are 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 OVER AND OVER?
The answers will tell you about the theme and conflict or they might foreshadow what will happen later.
Memory Moment
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are reading and the author interrupts the action to tell a memory, you should stop and ask yourself: WHY MIGHT THIS MEMORY BE IMPORTANT?
The answers will tell you about the theme, conflict or might foreshadow what will happen later in the story.
Words of the Wiser
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are reading and a character (who's probably older and a bit 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?
Whatever the lesson is, you probably just found the theme of the story.
Tough Questions
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are 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.
Aha Moment
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are reading and suddenly a character realizes, understands or finally figures out something, you should stop and ask yourself: HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE THINGS?
If the character figured out a problem, you probably just learned something abut the conflict. If the character understands a life lesson, you probably just learned the theme.
Contrasts and Contradictions
STOP and Notice and Note
When you are reading and a character says or does something that different from what you would do, what the character has done in the past or what other characters are doing, you should stop and ask yourself: WHY IS THE CHARACTER DOING THAT?
The answers could help you make a prediction, make an inference about the plot or conflict or characterize more effectively.