Contrast and Contradictions
A sharp contrast between what we would expect and what we observe the character doing; behavior that contradicts previous behavior or well-established patterns.
Clues:
A character behaves or thinks in a way we don't expect, or an element of a setting is something we would not expect.
The Question that follows:
Why would the character act (feel) this way?
Aha Moment
A character's realization of something that shifts his/her actions or understanding of himself/herself, others, or the world around them.
Clues:
"Suddenly I understood…"
"It came to me in a flash that…"
"The realization hit me like a lightning bolt…"
"In an instant I knew…"
The Question that follows:
How might this change things?
Tough Questions
Questions a character raises that reveal his or her inner struggles
Clues:
Phrases expressing serious doubt or confusion:
"What could I possibly do to…?"
"I couldn't imagine how I could cope with…"
"How could I ever understand why she…?"
"Never had I been so confused about…"
The Question that follows:
What does this question make me wonder about?
Words of the Wiser
The advice or insight a wiser character--usually older--offers about life to the main character
Clues:
The main character and another are usually off by themselves in a quiet serious moment, and the wiser figure shares his wisdom or advice in an effort to help the main character with a problem or a decision
The Question that follows:
What the life lesson, and how might it affect the character?
Again and Again
Events, images, or particular words that recur over a portion of the novel
Clues:
A word is repeated, sometimes used in an odd way, over and over in the story
An image reappears several times during the course of the book
The Question that follows:
Why might the author bring this up again and again?
Memory Moment
A recollection by a character that interrupts the forward progress of the story
Clues:
The ongoing flow of the narrative is interrupted by a memory that comes to the character, often taking several paragraphs to recount before we are returned to events of the present moment.
The question that follows:
Why might this memory be important?
A sharp contrast between what we would expect and what we observe the character doing; behavior that contradicts previous behavior or well-established patterns.
Clues:
A character behaves or thinks in a way we don't expect, or an element of a setting is something we would not expect.
The Question that follows:
Why would the character act (feel) this way?
Aha Moment
A character's realization of something that shifts his/her actions or understanding of himself/herself, others, or the world around them.
Clues:
"Suddenly I understood…"
"It came to me in a flash that…"
"The realization hit me like a lightning bolt…"
"In an instant I knew…"
The Question that follows:
How might this change things?
Tough Questions
Questions a character raises that reveal his or her inner struggles
Clues:
Phrases expressing serious doubt or confusion:
"What could I possibly do to…?"
"I couldn't imagine how I could cope with…"
"How could I ever understand why she…?"
"Never had I been so confused about…"
The Question that follows:
What does this question make me wonder about?
Words of the Wiser
The advice or insight a wiser character--usually older--offers about life to the main character
Clues:
The main character and another are usually off by themselves in a quiet serious moment, and the wiser figure shares his wisdom or advice in an effort to help the main character with a problem or a decision
The Question that follows:
What the life lesson, and how might it affect the character?
Again and Again
Events, images, or particular words that recur over a portion of the novel
Clues:
A word is repeated, sometimes used in an odd way, over and over in the story
An image reappears several times during the course of the book
The Question that follows:
Why might the author bring this up again and again?
Memory Moment
A recollection by a character that interrupts the forward progress of the story
Clues:
The ongoing flow of the narrative is interrupted by a memory that comes to the character, often taking several paragraphs to recount before we are returned to events of the present moment.
The question that follows:
Why might this memory be important?