Question

sb 4.3 flex novel
analyzing authors diction
learning targets: closely read text to analyze how an author uses diction to portray a
character, develop a setting, or convey a tone.
preview: in this activity, you will examine the way in which an author uses diction to
bring a story to life. then you will draft a literary analysis.

1. skim/scan the pages you have read (listed below) and list of the words the author

chooses that give the characters their unique voice.

1. with a partner or small group, closely read the passage you are assigned, looking

for clues about the author’s purpose for selecting specific words. try to think
about what the author was trying to show or achieve. search for words, phrases,
or passages that are especially descriptive, interesting, or even confusing.
analyze them and record your evidence in the graphic organizer below.

| page/chapter | descriptive, interesting or
confusing word, phrase or
passage | why did you
choose this word,
phrase, or
passage? | why do you think
the author used this
word, phrase, or
passage?
what is the author
trying to show or
achieve? |
| chapter 6 | note any dialogue between
logan and cade: | | |

Answer:

To complete this activity, you would follow these general steps (since the specific text of the novel isn't provided, here's a guide on how to approach it):

Step 1: Skim/scan Chapter 6

• Explanation: Read through Chapter 6 quickly to get an overview. As you read, identify words, phrases, or passages (including dialogue between Logan and Cade) that stand out as descriptive, interesting, or confusing. These could be words with strong connotations, unique figurative language, or dialogue that reveals character traits.
• Example Action: If the dialogue has slang, formal language, or repeated phrases, note them. For instance, if Logan says "I ain't gonna do that" and Cade responds "You must, it's the rule", the phrase "I ain't" and "You must" are part of their dialogue to note.

Step 2: Fill in the "Descriptive, Interesting or Confusing Word, Phrase or Passage" column

• Explanation: Write down the specific word, phrase, or passage you identified. If it's dialogue, transcribe the relevant lines.
• Example Entry: Suppose in the dialogue, Logan says "This place gives me the creeps, Cade. The shadows here… they move." You would write that dialogue in this column.

Step 3: Fill in "Why did you choose this..." column

• Explanation: Explain what made you pick this element. Maybe it's vivid imagery (like "shadows here… they move"), unusual word choice (like "creeps"), or how it reveals character (Logan being superstitious or fearful).
• Example Entry: "I chose this dialogue because the phrase 'shadows here… they move' creates a spooky image, and Logan's tone (from the dialogue) shows fear, which is interesting for understanding his character."

Step 4: Fill in "Why do you think the author used this..." column

• Explanation: Analyze the author's purpose. If the dialogue has spooky imagery, the author might be developing the setting (a haunted or eerie place) or conveying a tone (suspenseful). If it's character dialogue, maybe to show a relationship (Logan and Cade's differing reactions) or a character's personality (Logan is timid, Cade is matter - of - fact).
• Example Entry: "The author used this dialogue to develop the setting as a place with an unsettling atmosphere (the moving shadows) and to show Logan's fearful nature, which might foreshadow danger later in the story. The author wants to build tension and make the setting feel alive with unease."

Since the actual text of Chapter 6 isn't provided, you'll need to apply this process to the specific content of the chapter. Once you have the text, you can follow these steps to fill in the graphic organizer and then draft your literary analysis by synthesizing your findings about how the author's diction (word choice in dialogue and description) portrays characters, develops setting, or conveys tone.

If you have the text of Chapter 6, you can start identifying the relevant elements and filling in the table. For example, if the dialogue between Logan and Cade is:

Logan: "Cade, I'm tellin' you, that old barn out back—there's somethin' wrong with it. The boards creak even when there's no wind."

Cade: "Logan, you're bein' a scaredy - cat. It's just an old barn. The wind probably gets under the boards."

Here's how you could fill in the table:

Page/Chapter	Descriptive, Interesting or Confusing Word, Phrase or Passage	Why did you choose this word, phrase, or passage?	Why do you think the author used this word, phrase, or passage? What is the author trying to show or achieve?