Name: _____________________________________________
Date: ________________________
#: ________
9.2.62: SIFTing through “Marigolds”
As a life-long learner, I will…
(RL.5) analyze theme, key ideas, main ideas, and supporting ideas within a complex text.
(RL.5) show an understanding of internal and external conflicts
The acronym SIFT stands for Symbol, Images, Figurative Language, and Tone or Theme. You can use this strategy to
“sift” through the parts of a story in order to explore how a writer uses literary elements and stylistic techniques to
convey meaning or theme.
Record examples – of each of the SIFT elements – from the short story “Marigolds” in the graphic organizer.
Symbol: Examine the title and text for symbolism.
(A symbol is any object, person, place, or action that has
both a meaning in itself and that stands for something
larger than itself, such as a quality, attitude, belief, or
value – example: A dove in a story isn’t just a bird, it
often symbolizes peace)
Images: Identify images and sensory details.
(How does something look, feel, taste, smell, sound?
Why is this important?)
Figures of speech: Analyze figurative language and
other devices.
(Examples: simile, metaphor, personification,
hyperbole, apostrophe, oxymoron, paradox, pun, etc.)
Tone and/or Theme: Discuss how all devices reveal
tone and theme.
Tone = The writer’s/speaker’s attitude toward a
subject, character, or audience (conveyed through
author’s diction and details )
Theme = The central message of a literary work
(usually expressed as a statement)
“Marigolds” is a story that examines the coming of age of a young girl, Lizabeth. In order to
truly understand the story, as well as Lizabeth’s transformation, you must clearly articulate
the choices that she makes along the way – both within her own mind and between forces
from the outside world. On the following chart, examine the internal and external conflicts
Lizabeth faces.
Internal Conflicts
One side of the conflict
Literary Terms
An internal conflict occurs
when a character struggles
between opposing needs or
desires or emotions within
his or her own mind.
An external conflict occurs
when a character struggles
against an outside force.
This force may be another
character, a societal
expectation, or something
in the physical world.
The other side of the conflict
External Conflicts
One side of the conflict
The other side of the conflict