Signposts

Contrasts and Contradictions

A sharp contrast between what we would expect and what we observe the character doing.

Anchor Question: Why would the character act of feel this way?

Aha Moment

A character’s realization of something that shifts his actions or understanding of themselves, others or the world around them.

Anchor Question: How might this change things?

Tough Questions

Questions a character raises that reveal his or her inner struggles.

Anchor Question: What does this question make me wonder about?

Words of the Wiser

The advice of insight a wiser character, who is usually older, offers about life to the main character.

Anchor Question: What’s the life lesson and how might it affect the character?

Again and Again

Events, images, or particular words that recur over a portion of the novel.

Anchor Question: Why might the author bring this up again and again?

Memory Moment

A recollection by a character that interrupts the forward progress if the story.

Anchor Question: Why might this memory be important?