SIGNPOSTS

Why do we need signs?

WHAT IS A SIGNPOST IN READING?

Authors use signposts in their stories that help us know what to watch for. These signposts tell us about the characters, about the conflicts or problems in the story, and sometimes about the big life lessons in the story.

However, you have to know what signposts to look for or you might just read right on past them.

In a story, most signposts tell us to slow down and think about what’s happening. If we don’t know to look for the signposts that authors give, and don’t know what they mean, we might just breeze past them and find ourselves off the road and in the ditch.

We will be talking about SIX SIGNPOSTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

CONTRASTS AND CONTRADICTIONS

Contrast – different from something else

Contradiction - a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another.

When authors show us something that doesn’t fit with what we expect, when they present us with a contrast or a contradiction, then we want to pause and ask ourselves one question: Why would the character act this way?

CONTRASTS AND CONTRADICTIONS

As I read, I am on the lookout for a place where the author shows me a character acting in a way that is a contrast or contradiction with how he or she has been acting or how I would expect the character would act.

WHEN YOU NOTICE THAT CONTRAST OR CONTRACTION, STOP AND ASK:

Why would the character act that way?

When you answer that question, you will learn more about the character and sometimes more about the problems he or she faces. Sometimes you might even gain some insight into a theme—the important life lesson the author is trying to share.

CONTRASTS AND CONTRADICTIONS

Let’s create our own signpost so we can remember.

We are going to practice finding some contrasts and contradictions using “Thank You, Ma’m” by Langston Hughes.