Character Motivation and Plot Practice

Guided Notes for 10th Grade Common Core English II
End of Course Test

Academic Vocabulary

Most Missed End of Course Vocabulary Terms

1. Cite: __________
2. Textual Evidence: __________
3. Explicit: __________
4. Inference: __________
5. Analysis: __________
6. Effect: __________
7. Manipulative: __________
8. Tension: __________
9. Parallel: __________

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Key Terms

2. Theme: __________
3. Central Idea: __________
4. Analyze: __________
5. Objective: __________
6. Summarize: __________
7. Emerge: __________
8. Refine: __________

Additional Vocabulary

1. Dialogue: __________
2. Incident: __________
3. Propel: __________
4. Aspect: __________
5. Reveal: __________
6. Provoke: __________
7. Complex Character: __________
8. Multiple: __________
9. Conflicting: __________
10. Motivation: __________

11. Interact: __________
12. Advance: __________

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Question Stems and Prompts

Theme and Central Idea

- What is the difference between theme and central idea?

Theme

Central Idea

- Cite textual evidence of the key details that reveal the development of the theme(s)/central idea(s) of the text.

Evidence: __________

- How do the key details of the text shape and refine the theme(s) of the text?

Response: __________

- How can you objectively summarize the text?

Summary: __________

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Character Analysis

- What statement(s) or action(s) lead to a shift in advancement in the events of the story?

Details: __________

- Analyze what is revealed about the character by the events or dialogue of the text.

Analysis: __________

- What decision is provoked by __________ incident?

Decision: __________

- How does character motivation reveal the complexity of the character?

Explanation: __________

- What are their motivations? Are they conflicting? If so, how?

Motivations: __________

- How are the character motivations developed over the course of the text?

Development: __________

- Which interactions between characters contribute to the development of the theme?

Interactions: __________

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Figurative and Connotative Meaning

- What does the word/phrase __________ mean in this selection?

Meaning: __________

- The word/phrase is an example of __________.

Example: __________

- How does the author’s use of repetition of __________ impact the tone of the text?

Impact: __________

- Identify and analyze which words or phrases specifically impact the meaning or tone.

Words/Phrases: __________

- How does the author’s use of formal or informal diction effect the tone of the text?

Effect: __________

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Text Structure and Complexity

- How does the structure of the text contribute to its meaning?

Contribution: __________

- How does the order of events affect the text?

Affect: __________

- Identify and analyze the devices the author uses to manipulate time.

Devices: __________

- How does the author manipulate __________ to create the effect of __________?

Manipulation: __________

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Point of View and Cultural Context

- How does the author/narrator’s point of view reveal cultural values and norms in the text?

Revelation: __________

- What cultural values and beliefs motivate the main character(s) of the text?

Values/Beliefs: __________

- How are the customs and expectations revealed in the text that may differ from those of the reader?

Differences: __________

- Identify the point of view of the author/narrator and how it is revealed in the work.

Point of View: __________

- How does cultural experience influence or shape the point of view?

Influence: __________

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Representation and Artistic Medium

- Identify the subject, or key scene, in each piece.

Subject/Scene: __________

- How does the author/artist depict the main character(s) or scene?

Depiction: __________

- Analyze the contrasting views of the portrayal of the main characters or scene.

Contrasts: __________

- What is absent in one portrayal?

Absence: __________

- Evaluate the effectiveness of the differing depictions of the main character(s) or scene.

Evaluation: __________

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Source Material and Theme Transformation

- Identify the original theme and topic of the text.
Theme:_________
Topic: __________

- Analyze how the original source material affects the structure of the text.

Effect: __________

- Evaluate the effectiveness of how the work builds upon the original source.

Evaluation: __________

- How did the author draw upon and transform the theme or topic of the original source?

Transformation: __________

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Final Thoughts

Genres: __________

Favorite Genre (for pacing): __________

Author (what do you know about the author? How do you know that?): __________

- What’s the difference? Summarize the plot and theme of the text.

Plot

Theme

Review and Practice

- Review key vocabulary and concepts regularly.
- Practice answering question stems with examples from texts you read.
- Discuss themes and character motivations in group settings for deeper understanding.

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Note: Fill in the blanks as you follow along with the lesson to reinforce your understanding of the material!