Notice and Note Strategies
Again and Again
When you're reading and you notice a word, phrase, object, or situation mentioned over and over....
You should stop and ask yourself:
"Why does this keep showing up again and again?"
The answers will tell you about the theme and conflict, or they might foreshadow what will happen later.
Words of the Wiser
When you're reading and a character (who is probably older and wiser) takes the main character aside and gives serious advice....
You should stop and ask yourself:
"What's the life lesson, and how might it affect the character?"
Whatever the lesson is, you've probably found a theme for the story.
Contrasts and Contradictions
When you're reading and a character says or does something that's opposite (contradicts) what he has been saying or doing all along....
You should stop and ask yourself:
"Why is the character doing that?"
The answers could help you make a prediction or make an inference about the plot and conflict.
Aha Moments
When you're reading and the character suddenly realizes, understands, or finally figures something out....
You should stop and ask yourself:
"How might this change things?"
If the character figures out a problem, you probably just learned about the conflict. If the character understood a life lesson, you probably just learned the theme.
Memory Moment
When you're reading and the author interrupts the action to tell you a memory....
You should stop and ask yourself:
"Why might this memory be important?"
The answers will tell you about the theme, conflict, or might foreshadow what will happen later in the story.
Tough Questions
When you're reading and the character asks him/herself a really difficult question....
You should stop and ask yourself:
"What does this question make me wonder about?"
The answers will tell you about the conflict and might give you ideas about what will happen later in the story (foreshadow).