Structural analysis is the process of examining the components of a text to understand how they contribute to its overall structure and meaning. This involves identifying key elements such as plot, setting, character development, and theme, and analyzing how they interact to create the larger narrative.
Key Elements of Structural Analysis
Plot: The sequence of events in a story, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Setting: The time and place in which a story takes place, including the physical environment and social context.
Character Development: The ways in which characters change and grow throughout the story, as well as their motivations and relationships with other characters.
Theme: The central ideas or messages that the author conveys through the text.
Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told, which can significantly impact the reader's understanding of the events and characters.
Study Guide for Structural Analysis
To effectively analyze the structure of a text, consider the following questions:
What is the central conflict or problem in the story, and how is it resolved?
How does the setting contribute to the overall mood and tone of the story?
How do the characters interact with each other, and how does their development drive the plot forward?
What are the key themes or messages conveyed by the text, and how are they developed throughout the story?
How does the author's choice of point of view impact the reader's understanding of the events and characters?
By considering these questions and closely examining the plot, setting, character development, theme, and point of view, you can gain a deeper understanding of how the elements of a text work together to create its overall structure and meaning.
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on Grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. [L.7.4]
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., belligerent, bellicose, rebel). [L.7.4b]