1. Why is the character doing that????
STOP:
NOTICE AND NOTE
Contrasts and Contradictions
When you’re reading and a character says or does something that’s opposite (contradicts) what he/she has been saying or doing all along.
ASK YOURSELF:
Why is the character doing that????
Your answers could:
Help you make a prediction or inference about the plot, character’s motivation, or conflict!

2. How might this change things?
STOP:
NOTICE AND NOTE
Aha! Moment
When you’re reading and suddenly a character realizes, understands, or finally figures something out.
ASK YOURSELF:
How might this change things?
Your answers could:
Help you determine the conflict if the character figured out a problem OR Help you learn the theme if the character understood a life lesson.

3. What does this question make me wonder about?
STOP:
NOTICE AND NOTE
Tough Questions
When you’re reading and the character asks him or herself a really difficult question.
*Note – a difficult question will be something like “how will I get out of this?”
ASK YOURSELF:
What does this question make me wonder about?
Your answers could:
Tell you about the conflict and character motivation, give you ideas about what will happen later in the story, make inferences about the plot.

4. What’s the life lesson and how might it affect the character?
STOP:
NOTICE AND NOTE
Words of the Wiser
When you’re reading and a character (who is probably older and much wiser) takes the main character aside and gives serious advice.
ASK YOURSELF:
What’s the life lesson and how might it affect the character?
Your answers could:
Tell you the theme for the story.

5. Why does this keep showing up again and again?
STOP:
NOTICE AND NOTE
Again and Again
When you’re reading and you notice a word, phrase, object, or situation mentioned over and over.
ASK YOURSELF:
Why does this keep showing up again and again?
Your answers could:
Tell you about the theme and conflict OR they might foreshadow what will happen later.

6. Why might this memory be important?
STOP:
NOTICE AND NOTE
Memory Moment
When you’re reading and the author or character interrupts the action to tell you a memory (like a flashback or story from their childhood).
ASK YOURSELF:
Why might this memory be important?
Your answers could:
Tell you about the theme, conflict, character’s motivation OR foreshadow what will happen later in the story.