CA State Standards
Writing 2.2
Reading 3.3, 3.4
Mrs. Lutz 7th ELA
Today we will …learn how to identify theme,
characterization, and turning point in a passage
CFU
Reviewed :major themes in literature such as
Good vs. Evil, Humility, Respect, Love
Std. 3.4
Direct Characterization : When author states
what character is like and Indirect
Characterization : Where you find out about
the character through his thoughts, words
and actions.
Std. 3.3
Definition
Response to Literature (with essay writing) is
Analyzing a passage to determine :
 Theme
 Character’s Traits
 Turning Point
 Why it was written
Previous
Example
from
Writing for
Excellence
Turning Point
Lazy/Arrogant
Compassionate/Helpful
Humble/Respectful
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Theme: Humility, Respect, Treating Others
How You Want to be Treated
Character Traits at Beginning Lazy/Arrogant
Turning Point Helpful/Compassionate
End Humble/Helpful/ Respectful
Why written: To teach it’s better to be humble and
helpful than arrogant and lazy.
CFU
The most important event in Katherine
Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia is when Jess
and Leslie build their fort. Jess is a shy boy
who wants to be an artist, and Leslie is the
new girl in the neighborhood. They don’t fit
in with the other kids, but they get along
with each other. Together, Jess and Leslie
create Terabithia, a secret meeting place in
the woods. (cont.)
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To get there, they must cross a creek by
swinging on an old rope. Jess and Leslie
build a wooden fort in Terabithia and spend
a lot of time there. Their little wooden fort
takes them to a thousand places. The day
Jess and Leslie create Terabithia is the day
they began to build their friendship.
There are few character traits and no
turning point even though it does
have a theme.
The adventure in Peter Rabbit by
Beatrix Potter is very exciting. In the
story, Peter sneaks into Mr.
McGregor’s garden. Mr. McGregor
sees Peter and chases him all around
the garden. Peter looses his shoes
and jacket. He is a naughty bunny, but
I don’t blame him. Sneaking into the
garden is more fun than gathering
blackberries.
A. District Benchmark Assessment
B. California State Test(s)
C. District Writing Assessment
Read the passage carefully
1. Take Notes or underline
2. Look for what the character does or feels
(verbs/adverbs/adjectives)
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A. Beginning, Middle, End
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Look for a place in the story where the
character changes (evolves) attitude/action
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Identify Theme
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CFU
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Teacher models “To Sleep Under the Stars”
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Students read with partner “Gabriella”
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Closure:
1. How do you find the turning point in a
story?
2. Characterization lets us know what the
character is thinking and ___________.
3. Do Themes have meaning?