English- Signposts and Character

This is a review of the vocabulary terms that will be on our test Nov. 5. It includes photos to give you hints. I hope you enjoy studying!

Character Traits

The qualities that make a character who they are.

Character

Personalities or people that carry out the actions and dialogue of the plot.

Antagonist

The person or thing that stands in the way of the protagonists’ way of reaching their goal.

Protagonist

The principal character that most of the actions center around; sometimes they are a hero, sometimes they aren’t.

Contrasts and Contradictions

When a character does something that contrasts with what you’d expect or contradicts their earlier behavior, STOP and ask: “Why is the character doing that?”

Aha Moment

When a character realizes, understands, or finally figures out something, STOP and ask: “How might this change things?”

Tough Questions

When a character asks herself a very difficult question, STOP and ask: "What does this question make me wonder about?”

Words of the Wiser

When a character(probably older) takes the main character aside and offers serious advice, STOP and ask: “What’s the life lesson AND how might it affect the character?”

Again and Again

When you notice a word, phrase, or situation mentioned over and over, STOP and ask: “Why does this keep happening again and again?”

Memory Moment

When the author interrupts the action to tell you a memory of something that happened in the past, STOP and ask: “Why might this memory be important?”