Literary Elements and Devices

FICTION: The Secret Ingredient, pages 23-27

May 2015

THE LANGUAGE ARTS MAGAZINE

Name: ___________________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Literary Elements and Devices

Identifying the basic elements of a literary work can help you understand it better.
Use this activity to help you understand The Secret Ingredient. See Scopes Glossary of
Literary Terms for definitions of the words that appear in bold.

Section 1: Characters
1. For the characters of Snicket, Jake Hix, and one other character of your choice: (1) decide whether the
character is major or minor; (2) briefly describe the character, including his or her appearance, personality,
and background; and (3) decide whether the character is static or dynamic and explain why.
A.

SNICKET

is a

major

minor (check one) character.

Description: _______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
He is a

static

dynamic (check one) character. I think so because

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

B.

JAKE HIX

is a

major

minor (check one) character.

Description: _______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
He is a

static

dynamic (check one) character. I think so because

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

C.

is a

major

minor (check one) character.

Description: _______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
He/She is a

static

dynamic (check one) character. I think so because

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Literary Elements and Devices

FICTION: The Secret Ingredient, pages 23-27

May 2015
2. Who is the antagonist in this story? Explain.
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3. In the first paragraph, the author uses a compare and contrast structure to describe Jakes and Hungry Hixs
roles at the restaurant. Why do you think the author chose this structure? What do you learn about Jake and
Hungry from this paragraph?
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__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
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4. Give an example of indirect characterization of Hungry Hix. Explain what it reveals about her.
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Section 2: Point of View

5. From which point of view is The Secret Ingredient told? Check one:

first person

third-person limited

third-person omniscient

How do you know? Support your answer with text evidence.

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__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. What other information might be included if the story were told from one of the two points of view you did
NOT select above? What information might be excluded?
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2015 BY SCHOLASTIC INC. TEACHERS MAY PROJECT OR MAKE COPIES OF THIS PAGE TO DISTRIBUTE TO STUDENTS.

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Literary Elements and Devices

FICTION: The Secret Ingredient, pages 23-27

May 2015

Section 3: Figurative Language

7. Find one example of personification and explain what it adds to the story.
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__________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Section 4: Tone
8. List at least two words that describe the tone of the story.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now explain how Lemony Snicket establishes that tone.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
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2015 BY SCHOLASTIC INC. TEACHERS MAY PROJECT OR MAKE COPIES OF THIS PAGE TO DISTRIBUTE TO STUDENTS.

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