Signposts

When the character has a sudden realization that shifts his/her actions or understanding of himself/herself:

• Words of the Wiser

• Memory Moment

• Contrast and Contradiction

• Aha Moment

A sharp contrast between what we expect a character to do and what we observe the character doing:

• Contrast and Contradiction

• Aha Moment

• Memory Moment

• Words of the Wiser

A flashback/recollection by a character that interrupts the forward progress of the story:

• Aha Moment

• Memory Moment

• Contrast and Contradiction

• Again and Again

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

• Again and Again

• Words of the Wiser

• Contrast and Contradiction

• Aha Moment

When a wiser (usually older) character gives advice about life to the main character:

• Aha Moment

• Again and Again

• Contrast and Contradiction

• Words of the Wiser

Words of the Wiser…

• Does not affect the main character at all

• Is always given by someone who is older than the main character

• Gives more advice and guidance to the main character

• Does not teach a life lesson

Memory Moments...

• Are only memories that happened a long time ago in the character’s past

• Only happen to the main character of the story

• Are memories from any time in the character's past

• Do not play huge parts in stories at all and cannot change a character’s viewpoint

Phrases like “suddenly” or “realized” are used to describe this signpost:

• Words of the Wiser

• Again and Again

• Aha Moment

• Contrast and Contradiction

What question should you ask yourself when you come across a Memory Moment in a story?

• Why is the author including this flashback? Why might this flashback be important?

• What is the theme of the story?

• Why is the character acting this way?

• Did the character lose a loved one?

What question should you ask yourself when you come across Words of the Wiser in a story?

• Why is the author including this flashback?

• What is the life lesson and how might it affect the character?

• Why does the author bring this up repeatedly?

• Why do we care?