Theme is the message, insights, or truths an author explores throughout a story. Theme encourages readers to contemplate life by examining thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Teaching kids to determine the theme is a key component of literary analysis because it goes beyond retelling and listing of events: (“First this happened; then that happened”), to thinking […]
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Figurative language enables authors to turn plain sentences into vivid, emotional, and memorable descriptions. In this section, we’ll explore common types of figurative language, such as metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, idioms, symbolism, allusion, and imagery. Each element works together to add depth and color to both reading and writing. Overviews and Tutorials Imagery Video (with
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Analyzing an author’s language and word choice within a story is another interesting area for literary analysis. The words an author selects significantly influence the mood of a scene, reveal character traits, and shape the reader’s perception of a story. By understanding things like diction, tone, style, and voice, readers can improve their comprehension and
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Characters and setting work together to pull readers into the world of a story. A clever plot may keep us turning pages, but it’s the people (or creatures!) we care about, and the world they live in, that contribute to making a story compelling. Characters come alive through their actions, dialogue, and choices. They can
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Graphic novels are an often-overlooked resource that can enhance your reading curriculum and offer a fresh approach to literacy. These visually rich narratives combine text and illustrations to create engaging stories that cater to diverse learning styles and interests. What Exactly Is a Graphic Novel? When talking about graphic novels in education, it’s a reference
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