The Schwa was Here Name

Author's Craft study guide 1 Class Period

Goal: Identify and explain the author's craft (EL-8-IT-S-5, RD-O8-5.0.3)

Define:

allusion

characterization

direct

indirect

point of view

first person

third person

euphemism

setting

protagonist

antagonist

1. "... Old Man Crawley, who had fingernails like Ginsu knives that could dice, slice, and julienne you..." (1) is an example of

a. simileb. metaphorc. onomatopoeiad. symbol

Explain your answer choice.

2. "...all the while noticing how Ira still kept his distance from the Schwa, as if he were radioactive, like some of those flounder they find off Canarsie Pier" (6) is an example of

a. simileb. metaphorc. imageryd. allusion

Explain how you got your answer and explain what the comparison means.

3. "...and they pack 'em onto a boat with like, fourteen thousand other families, and they cross the Atlantic Ocean."

"Don't tell me they hit an iceberg," says Howie.

"Different boat," I said... (14)

a. simileb. metaphorc. allusiond. imagery

Explain your answer.

4. "It comes with being sixteen," Mom said. "You teenagers, you go into a cocoon when you turn fifteen and don't come out for years" (12).

a. simileb. metaphorc. allusiond. imagery

Explain your answer and the comparison.

5. "No . . . It's more like he's . . . " I search for the right word. "It's like he's functionally invisible."

"The proper term is 'observationally challenged,'" Howie says (21).

a. simileb. metaphorc. imageryd. euphemism

Explain your answer.

6. Identify the type of characterization (Direct or Indirect) used in the following passages:

a. But that wasn't the case with Charles J. Crawley. Nothing to misunderstand about him. He was old, he was rich, he was cranky, and although no one ever saw or actually spoke to him, he made it very clear he was not to be messed with (38).

Explain your choice.

b. He ignored us. "The police will only give you a slap on the wrist, and since you're not crying hysterically in terror right now, I assume your parents will not beat you. Therefore I will administer your punishment personally. You will return here tomorrow by the front door, at three o'clock sharp, and begin working off your transgression. If you fail to come, I will find out what your parents do for a living, and I will have them fired." . . .

"I've found I can do anything I please." . . .

"What will you pay us?" I asked.

"Nothing."

"That's slavery!"

"No," said Crawley, with a grin so wide it stretched his wrinkles straight. "That's community service." (51-52)

Explain your choice.

c. So, anyway, my brother and some of his friends, they go out on Halloween a few years back, toss a few eggs at Crawley's upstairs windows, and run off. We heard nothing about it, except for one thing . . . from November 1 until New Year's Day, not a single market in the neighborhood had eggs — not even the big supermarket chains. . . . but everyone knew that it was Old Man Crawley. He had pulled some strings and shut down the egg supply to the whole neighborhood. No one ever egged his windows again (39).

Explain your choice. What effect does this characterization have on how you think of Crawley?

7. The stench of yesterday's lobster wafted out of the Dumpster behind the restaurant, smelling like a fish market on a hot day, or my aunt Mona (trust me, you don't wanna know). Ignoring the smell, we hopped up to the lip of the Dumpster so we could reach the fire-escape ladder. I pulled it down, trying to keep it from squeaking. The Schwa climbed on (45).

a. imageryb. similec. metaphord. alliteration

Explain your answer.

In the above passage, underline an example of onomatopoeia.

8. I once had a teacher who said my imagination was as developed as my appendix, but I don't agree, because I came up with a whole bunch of possibilities of what Crawley could do (55). What is the purpose of this simile?

9. Crawley reached into the pocket of his fancy robe―a dinner jacket, I think it's called. The kind of thing Professor Plum would wear before killing Colonel Mustard in the ballroom with the candlestick (56). What is the allusion?

10. Irony is the general term for anything that is opposite of what is expected. How is the Schwa's house and father ironic?

11. Identify the protagonists and the antagonist. Justify your answer.