Literary Analysis, Conflict, and Critical Reading Test Strategies Reteach

Literary Analysis, Conflict, and Critical Reading Test Strategies Reteach GRRRRRRR!!!!!

Critical Reading of a Question/Reading Strategies • Cross out impossible answers • Consider what the question is really asking you • Choose the best answer

Practice!! • 25. Structurally, what do the three stories have in common? • A. The meaning of the story is not clear until the last line of the story. • B. The stories share the same topic. • C. The stories share the same purpose. • D. The stories are in no way related.

Can you answer this question using Critical reading strategies even if you haven’t read the stories? Probably Not…. Why? • Read the following quote: • “Very deliberatively he blew a smoke ring into the air; then he turned his back on the tree and walked carelessly away, back along the trail he had come.” • This quote suggests that General Zaroff is – • Aware that there is a trap • Aware that Rainsford is hiding • Aware that Rainsford is fighting back • Aware that he is playing with Rainsford

More Critical Reading Strategies Read ALL of the Question. Pay special attention to words or phrases that are bold or in italics. Determine what the question is asking you Choose the BEST answer

Types of Conflict • External • -Man v Man • Rainsford Vs. General Zaroff, Mr. Nuttel vs. Vera, The Sniper vs. The other Sniper • -Man v Nature • Rainsford against the ocean when he is trying to swim ashore to survive • -Man v Obstacle or Society • Vera vs. the formality of British • society • Internal • -Man v Himself • Rainsford trying to keep his “nerve” not panic so he can survive. The Sniper Vs. himself

Test Question • 26 Which conflict does each of the Main Characters face in all three short stories? • A. Man Vs. Nature • B. Man Vs. Himself • C. Man Vs. Man • D. All of the above

Tone • The first question about “The Sniper” on your review states: • What tone does the imagery in the first paragraph set? • We said eerie, dangerous, and somber • Which of these words is a synonym for the choices given in the following question?

Test Question • What tone does the imagery in the first paragraph create? • A. A realistic tone • B. A pleased tone • C. A miserable tone • D. a perilous tone

Purpose Imagery • Main Purpose: details make the story more realistic • Allows the writer to make believable characters • Makes the reading strategy of visualization possible • Adds depth to the reader’s understanding (allusions, methaphors, similes)

Question • What is the best explanation of the role imagery plays in creating a story? • A. It refers to the 5 senses • B. It makes a story realistic. • C. It makes the reader see images. • D. It makes a story better.

Word Choice (connected to concept of imagery) • Author’s choice of words tell the reader: • about the topic of the story. • The words tell the reader the opinions of the author. • The word choice may be formal or informal. Ex. “The Open Window”

Question • How does an author’s choice of words influence the reader’s understanding of the author’s purpose? • A. The words tell the reader about the topic of the story. • B. The words tell the reader the opinion of the author. • C. The word choice may be formal or informal. • D. All of the above • E. None of the above

Word Choice • What does the author’s formal word choice in the following lines convey to the reader? • “The doctors agree in ordering me complete rest, an absence of mental excitement, and avoidance of anything in the nature of violent physical exercise,” announced Frampton, who labored under the tolerably widespread decision that total strangers and chance acquaintances are hungry for the least detail of one’s ailments and infirmities, their cause and cure.” • That Mr. Nuttel takes his illness very seriously • That Mr. Nuttel is seriously ill • That Mr. Nuttel is expected to make a full recovery. • That Mr. Nuttel does not understand his illness.

Literary analysis of quotations • Which quotation most strongly suggests that Rainsford is intrigued by the mention of a new animal the General has discovered. • “Rainsford leaned across the table absorbed in what his host was saying.” • “Simply this: hunting had ceased to be what you call ‘a sporting proposition.” • “But the animal, General Zaroff?” • “ Is there big game on the island?”

Paraphrasing a Quote • Read the quote carefully • Put each sentence in your own words. • Determine what it really means • Put in your own words again

Question • Read the following lines: • “Frampton Nuttel endeavored to say the correct something that should duly flatter the niece of the moment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come. Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much toward helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing.” • What is the best paraphrase of these lines? • Mr. Nuttel is eager to meet Vera’s Aunt. He knows that it will be interesting. • Mr. Nuttel is very anxious about meeting Vera’s Aunt. He knows he is nervous. • Mr. Nuttel does not think that meeting Vera’s Aunt will be very beneficial. • Mr. Nuttel is ambivalent about meeting Vera’s Aunt.

Inferencing Question/look back at book • How does Vera’s description of the “great tragedy” effect Mr. Nuttel’s actions? • He feels very sorry for the Aunt’s obsession with the open window • He gives his condolences • He worries that there will be ghosts in the house. • He feels great compassion for the Aunt.

Quote interpretation/inferencing • How does the imagery in the following lines contribute to the reader’s understanding of the danger in the story? • “Taking off his cap, he placed it over the muzzle fo his rifle. Then he ushed the rifle slowly upwards over the parapet, until the cap was visible from the opposite side f the street. Almost immediately there was a report, and a bullet pierced the center of the cap.” • A. The lines let the reader know that there is danger in the story. • B. The lines let the reader know that the sniper must make a plan • C. The lines let the reader know that both the sniper and the man on the other roof are serious about killing one another. • D. the lines let the reader know that the sniper will stop at nothing to kill.

Author’s Purpose • To inform To share information about a subject • To Persuade To convince the reader of something through the use of positive or negative details. • To entertain To tell a story for the express purpose of entertainment “The Open Window” “The Most Dangerous Game” • To express feelings To express the feelings of the author through direct or indirect commentary and description. “The Sniper”

Question/author’s purpose and interpretation of quoted passage. • How does the imagery in the following lines attempt to change the reader’s feelings about war? • “The sniper looked at his enemy falling and he shuddered. The lust of battle died in him. He became bitten by remorse. The sweat stood out in beads on his forehead. Weakened by his wound and the long summer day of fasting and watching on the roof, he revolted from the sight of the shattered mass of his dead enemy. His teeth chattered. He began to gibber to himself, cursing the war, cursing himself, cursing everybody.” • The imagery shows how war can make people focus on the wrong things • until a moment of tragedy brings what is truly important back into focus. • B. The imagery shows how war can make people kill others • C. The imagery shows how war can make people take unnecessary risks to be successful at any and all costs. • D. The imagery shows how war is damaging to society.

What is the author’s purpose in “The Sniper?” To inform To persuade To entertain To express feelings

Literary Analysis, Conflict, and Critical Reading Test Strategies Reteach