STAAR Fiction Review

STAAR Fiction Review

By ANNICE LANAE SEXTON

Multiple Choice

What type of texts fall into the fiction category?

• Stories

• Plays/drama

• Poems

• All of the above

​the underlying message or central idea explored throughout a story, often conveying a universal truth about life, society, or humanity. 

​​Theme

​when and where the story, play, or poem takes place. Setting can impact the characters as well as the conflict and its resolution.

Setting

​the "people" in the story. They have traits, qualities, feelings, and actions that influence the conflict and resolution of the story.

Characters

​The series of events in the story. These include exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Characters, setting, and events effect the plot.

Plot

​Fiction Question Types

the overall feeling or atmosphere the author creates in the reader through their writing.

Mood

​the author's or narrator's attitude towards the subject matter, conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and other stylistic choices

Tone

​Cause and effect
Problem and solution
Chronological
Sequential
Comparison

Text Structure

Simile, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, sensory details, irony, alliteration

Figurative Language

​Fiction Question Types

​a category of literary work characterized by specific conventions, themes, and styles, such as romance, mystery, or science fiction. 

​​Genre

​The question makes a statement and you have to choose a piece of text evidence from the story to support it.

​​Textual Support

foreshadowing, flashback, suspense, dialogue, dialect, and irony

Summary
retelling of the main plot points, characters, and themes of a story

Literary elements

Use Last Dance and The Tree to answer the following question. What is a theme that is present in BOTH the story “Last Dance” and the poem “The Tree”?
F Have the courage to live life to its fullest.
G Always be prepared to confide in loved ones.
H Have patience when striving to reach a goal.
J Never take for granted the small wonders of daily life.

What is a central message in this play?
F Sometimes it is difficult to correct a mistake.
G It is important to rely on others for help.
H Understanding a situation may take time and patience.
J Ignoring advice from others can have harsh consequences.

​

​Which sentence from the story “Last Dance” best conveys the theme?

A We took turns each night picking which song to dance to, and no matter what had gone on that day or how mad we would be at each other, we would dance. (paragraph 1)
B A few minutes in time-out had not been enough for us to stop being angry at each other, so before bedtime our dad took us to the living room and turned on his favorite song. (paragraph 2)
C Some hours passed, and I began to get ready for bed, giving up on the notion that a last dance party would be happening. (paragraph 12)
D I basked in the bittersweet, realizing that these were the moments to cherish. (paragraph 20)

Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Adventure stories
Mysteries
Humor
Myths

​Fiction Genres

​Takes place in the past and has REAL events in history or has cultural elements of the past

​​Historical

​supernatural elements, that explain natural phenomena, human origins, or cultural values, culture's religious beliefs. 

Myth

​Characters could be real, the events could be real, the problems could be real

​​Realistic

​A realistic wild adventure. Danger, challenges, and personal growth. Often survival is at stake

Adventure

​Futuristic, advanced technology, space, aliens, time travel, end of the world type stuff

Science fiction

​Dragons, magic, trolls, talking animals, witches, wizards, HARRY POTTER, Wings of Fire

​​Fantasy

​Made to make you laugh. It can have great characters and a solid story but lot of laughs. Diary of a Wimpy Kid

​​Humor

​Solving a crime, there are clues and usually a main character or two who are trying to solve the crime.

Mystery

Multiple Choice

John must survive! His family farm has been taken over by Red Coats. His only hope is to sneak away and find help from Revolutionary troops. But will he make it back in time?

• Fantasy

• Realistic Fiction

• Historical Fiction

• Adventure

Multiple Choice

Kylie is not chosen by the High Order Senate to continue her education. Sadly, she is assigned to the "robot farm" where she will be part of a human assembly line. She discovers that the machines are going to take over and destroy humanity.

• Fantasy

• Realistic Fiction

• Myth

• Science Fiction

Multiple Choice

Jodie recieves the worst news of her life. Her mother has just been diagnosed with cancer. She desperately wants to connect with her mom before it is too late.

• Myth

• Realistic Fiction

• Science Fiction

• Historical Fiction

​Which characteristic of (a genre) is present in the excerpt? 

STAAR Question STEM

Remember the elements of the listed genre and consider which text evidence best supports that genre.

​​How do I answer this correctly?

STAAR Theme Questions

Which of the following is an important theme in the story, poem, or drama?

What is the central theme of the play, story, or poem?

Which quote best supports the theme in the story, poem, or drama?

How does the historical time period affect the plot?