Independent
Reading
Activity
I.R.A.
Choosing the best I.R.A. for
your book
SETTING
CHARACTERS
As you are reading
Choose a character
independently,
from your novel.
describe the setting Describe one internal
of your novel (time, trait and one external
place & environment). trait. Use evidence
Use evidence from
from the text to
the text to support
support your
your description.
description.
AUTHOR’S TECHNIQUE
Read with a writer’s eye
to determine what types
of writing techniques
the author of your novel
uses. (figurative
language; italicized
words for emphasis;
adjective, adjective,
noun phrases?) How do
the techniques you
found help readers? Use
evidence from the text
to support your
description.
Tracking the Evidence
for the Setting I.R.A.
– While you are reading, be on the lookout for examples that can support
your description of the Setting:
 A description of the time period, year, time of day, season, or anything
having to do with the “when” of the story
 A description of the place or anything having to do with the “where” of the
story
 A description of the environment or anything having to do with the “feeling”
around the story
 Examples: War-like, peaceful, spooky, happy, silly, mysterious
Tracking the Evidence
for the Character I.R.A.
– While you are reading, be on the lookout for examples that can support
your description of a main character:
 An example of an external trait, or anything that describes how the character
looks physically
 Ex. Tall, blonde, muscular, skinny
 An example of an internal trait, or anything that describes how the character
feels, thinks, acts, or behaves
 Ex. Courageous, humorous, loving, studious
Tracking the Evidence
for the Author’s Technique I.R.A.
– While you are reading, be on the lookout for examples that can support your
description of a technique used by the author.
– Possible findings:
 An example of figurative language, such as similes,
metaphors, or personification
 An example of italicized words used by the author to make a
point
 An example of a descriptive technique, such as an adjective,
adjective noun phrase (sweet, fragrant rose)
How to Begin Writing the I.R.A.
– Write the first few sentences of your description to give an overview of your description.
Be sure to include the title and author of your book.
Do not include specific
text examples yet.
 Sample Beginning for Setting I.R.A.
 The book, Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt, has a setting that is both ordinary and mysterious. It
takes place in the hot summer month of August, some time in the late 1800’s, in a wood owned by the
Foster Family.
 Sample Beginning for Character I.R.A.
 The character, Mae Tuck, in the book, Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt, is a kind, protective, stocky
woman. She shows her love for her family and for Winnie Foster through her words and actions. Her
potato shape adds to her charming personality.
 Sample Beginning for Author’s Technique I.R.A.
 Natalie Babbitt, the author of Tuck Everlasting, uses a variety of descriptive language techniques to help
the reader visualize the story and characters. Babbitt uses figurative language, such as metaphors,
similes, and personification in her writing to create a picture in the reader’s mind.
How to Include Text Evidence in
the I.R.A.
– After you’ve written the first few sentences, it is time to elaborate on your
description. Go back into your book and find evidence (remember those
sticky notes!) that will support this description. Include at least two
examples by quoting or paraphrasing the author’s words. Be sure to
include the page or chapter number where the evidence is located.
– Sample evidence from the text:
– For example, in Chapter 19, Mae shows how protective she can be when she
prevents the man in the yellow suit from taking Winnie. Holding the shotgun
toward the man, “Mae’s face was dark red. ‘Not Winnie!’ she said between
clenched teeth. ‘You ain’t going to do a thing like that to Winnie.’”
How to Add Insight to the
Description
While providing text evidence is very important, your explanation of the evidence
is what demonstrates your insight and overall understanding of the text.
 Each text example should be accompanied by an explanation of that example
 How does this example support your description or prove your point?
 Sample Explanation:
 This example demonstrates how far Mae is willing to go in order to protect
Winnie. Her love for Winnie becomes more important, at that moment, than
anything else.