1. Sentence Stopper or Sentence Starter? What are the key words in a story that help us identify if the plot will continue or it will stop moving forward? The plot is the series of events in which each event is the result of a previous event and is the cause of the next event.

2. Can you foreshadow  Foreshadowing is the author’s use of clues to hint at what might happen later in the story. Foreshadowing is used to create suspense.  Suspense is the feeling of anxious uncertainty about the events of a story

3. Sentence Stopper or Starter  I will show you a series of sentences or paragraphs. I will read them out loud. Pay attention for any key words that will help you identify whether the plot of this story can move forward or if it will stop.

4. Plot stopper or starter? Mrs. Mazzotta walked up to him and handed him a pencil. Key words?

5. Plot stopper or starter?  As she walked down the hall and turned the corner, she glanced suspiciously over her shoulder. Key words?

6. Plot stopper or starter?  While his back was turned, he eyed the partially opened back-pack. Key words?

7. Plot stopper or starter?  She quickly ran to the bus stop just as the bus was advancing. Key words?

8. Plot Stopper or Starter?  The dentist smiled, raised his fluffy eyebrows and announced that her teeth were cavity-free. Key words?

9. Plot Stopper or Starter?  She begrudgingly read the final words of the final chapter and then closed the book. Key words?

10. Plot stopper or starter?  With his face and the palms of his hands sealed to the glass case, his mouth drooled like the Niagara Falls as he scanned the assortment of warm cookies and cakes. Key words?

11. Plot stopper or starter?  He trudged across the emerald lawn, pushing what seemed like a 6,000 pound lawn mower. Sweat dripped down the front of his legs creating pools of sticky sweat in his socks. He came to a well deserved stop as he admired his newly manicured and entirely clipped lawn. Key words?

12. Plot stopper or starter? The clouds formed like enormous, burnt marshmallows. On the horizon, a growl traveled through the thick, warm air until a sudden crack seared across the darkened sky with an ear shattering pop. Tiny raindrops slowly began to fall from the sky just as the wind started to swirl through my hair. Key words?

13. These sentences/paragraphs are from “Seventh Grade” Great rosebushes of red bloomed on Victor’s cheeks. A river of nervous sweat ran down his palms. Is this a plot stopper or plot starter? Key words?

14. Plot stopper or starter? Victor felt eyes staring at him. Key words?

15. Plot stopper or starter? “What is a noun?” “A person, place or thing,” said the class in unison. Key words?

16. Plot stopper or starter? Teresa looked up, and their eyes met. Key words?

17. Plot stopper or starter? The principal, Mr. Belton, spoke over the crackling loudspeaker, welcoming the students to a new year, new experiences, and new friendships. Key words?

18. Plot stopper or starter? “I think it works,” Michael said. Key words?

19. Plot stopper or starter? Teresa is going to be my girl this year, he promised himself as he left the gym full of students in their new fall clothes. Key words?

20. Plot stopper or starter? “So you think I should talk to Mrs. Gaines?” she asked the teacher. “She would know about ballet?” “She would be a good bet,” the teacher said. Then added, “Or the gym teacher, Mrs. Garza. Key words?

21. Plot stopper or starter? Mr. Bueller shuffled through the papers on his desk. He smiled and hummed as he sat down to work. Key words?

22. Plot stopper or starter? Mr. Bueller looked at Victor, and Victor looked back. Oh please, don’t say anything, Victor pleaded with his eyes