Character Development in Literature Without characters there would be no plot and no conflicts. Readers should take note of the author’s methods of character development, the characters’ traits and actions, and how the characters change (or don’t change) over the course of the story. Direct and Indirect Characterization Character development is a matter of show…

Conflict in Literature The study of any work of fiction wouldn’t be complete without examining conflict. Conflict often drives the plot of short stories, novellas, and novels. It’s what keeps readers hanging on until the last page and movie-goers in their seats until the closing credits. As characters work to overcome conflicts, their motivations, values,…

Virtual Book Talks Many homeschool parents ask, “How can I help my child develop a love of reading?” We all know that reading is important, but some children just don’t seem to enjoy it very much. The answer is to connect kids with books that appeal to their interests. Kids will often reject reading recommendations…

It is not uncommon for a student’s reading fluency to outpace his or her reading comprehension. That means that even though the student can decode words accurately and at a reasonable speed, he or she may have little recollection of the text after the reading. Homeschool parents are often puzzled when their students seem to…

Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. With practice and focused attention, homeschool students will become more perceptive in identifying the author’s choices and explaining the effects they have on the reader. This process is the backbone of literary analysis. When crafting a work of literature, the author must decide…