By: Ernesto Bethancourt
 Cause
and Effect
 Characterization (including character types)
 Plot Progression
 Theme
Friends come in all shapes and sizes.
In this story, Kevin turns to an unusual friend to help him with a
problem. His friend is Louis, his computer!
Cause and Effect Words
for this reason
thus
since
in order to
as a result
therefore
consequently
because
due to
for this reason
on account of
In a cause-and-effect relationship, one event causes another event
to happen. The effect is what happens, and the cause is why the
event happens.
Look at these pictures of two related events. Which is the cause?
Which is the effect?
In “User Friendly,” Kevin accidentally starts a chain of events that
leads to trouble.
Cause
Effect/Cause
Effect
A causal chain is a series of events in which each event causes
another one to happen.
To help you figure out causes and effects, follow these steps:
•
Identify what happens first.
•
Ask, “What happens because of that?”
•
Look for hidden or multiple causes and results.
In your textbook, there are questions that will help you recognize
causes and effects in the story. When you see the
symbol,
stop and answer the question next to the open-book sign.
A graphic organizer like this flowchart can help you record the chain of
events as you read.
Cause
Effect/Cause
Effect
One way to find a story’s theme is to analyze the characters. As you read,
ask yourself these questions:
•
What important comments do the
characters make?
•
What situations do they face?
•
What do they learn by the end of the
story?
Another way to find a story’s theme is to think about the title and what it
might mean.
To analyze the title, ask yourself questions like “What is the literal
meaning of the title?” and “What related subjects come to mind?”
Here’s one more tip to help you discover a story’s theme: Look for key
passages that seem to make important statements about life.
Friendships have
their ups and downs.
Ambition often
has a price.
Accepting
responsibility is
difficult.
 Friends
come in
many forms.
aren’t
always aware of
the effects their
actions have.
 You
should treat
others as you wish
to be treated.
 People
 Things
are not
always as they
seem.
 Kevin
is ___________________. I know this
because _______________________________.
 Kevin
is ___________________. I know this
because _______________________________.
 Kevin
is ___________________. I know this
because_______________________________.
 Louis
is ___________________. I know this
because _______________________________.
 Louis
is ___________________. I know this
because _______________________________.
 Ginny
is ___________________. I know this
because _______________________________.
 Chuck
is ___________________. I know this
because _______________________________.
 Kevin’s
parents are _____________________.
I know this because _____________________.
Where does the story take place?

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·
Kevin’s father works as a —
·
Kevin is worried about all of the following problems :
·
Which words best describe Kevin’s character?
·
How does Ginny Linke react to Kevin?
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·
What is one effect of Louis’s acts of revenge?

·
What is the effect of patching Louis to a new modem?

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·
After Kevin’s father returns home and works on the
computer, he —

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·
How did Kevin’s father change Louis?
·
What caused Louis to act as he did?

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The story describes a computer named Louis that —

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· The printout that Kevin’s father shows him at the end of
the story probably expresses Louis’s —

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·
The computer’s character is revealed to Kevin by
·
How does the title reinforce the story’s theme?
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