Seedfolks Using the Annotation Codes, Record Evidence of the Characteristics of Fiction
Seedfolks Using the annotation codes, record evidence of the characteristics of fiction in Seedfolks. Be sure to include evidence from the text to support your answer.
Annotation Codes:C (Character): Explain some hidden clues (indirect characterization) the author uses to help you understand the character.
SET (Setting): How does the author describe the time or place? Are there any hidden clues about where or when this chapter is taking place? Does the setting give clues to help you understand the characters or the plot?
CON (Conflict): What is the conflict this character faces? How do you know? Is it internal or external?
POV (Point of view): Can you find evidence of a place where you learn more about a character when the point of view changes to another character, or where a misunderstanding is revealed due to one character’s point of view?
DG (Dialogue): Find evidence in the text where something is revealed through dialogue (conversations between two or more characters).
DT (Dialect): Find evidence in the text where a character’s dialect reveals more about him or her or the setting.
TN (Tone): Explain an excerpt from the text where tone is revealed. What is the tone? How did you know?
M (Mood): Explain an excerpt from the text that carries a certain mood for the reader. What is the mood? How does the author make you feel that way?
FOR (Foreshadowing): Explain an excerpt from the text where clues are given about what will happen next. What were the clues?
FB (Flashback): Explain an excerpt from the text where the author or a character goes back in time before the present time in the story in order to provide more information on the character, setting, or plot. What new information is revealed?
IR (Irony): This one is tough! Find evidence of a time when something happens that is the opposite of what you would expect to happen. Explain. (Hint: Use your notes to help you understand the different ways irony can be written.
SYM (Symbolism): Give an example of a time in the novel when there is something in the story that represents something else (a relative, a hope/dream, a memory)
T (Theme): Explain the theme of Seedfolks. Provide evidence to support your answer.
Character/
Chapter / Annotation Code / Explanation (Be sure to use evidence from the text)
Kim / SET / The setting of the novel is an apartment community in Cleveland, present day. Kim describes the weather as cold, but people say, “in Cleveland, people call it Spring”. This reveals that Kim is used to warmer weather.
Ana / IR / The audience knows that Kim is doing something kind, planting beans in honor of her father, but Ana is suspicious of her. Ana believes she is burying something bad. This is dramatic irony because the reader knows something that the character does not. It is also situational irony because it’s the opposite of what the reason expects of Ana.
Wendell / M / The mood of the chapter is initially depressing, sympathetic, but it changes to hopeful and optimistic because Wendell believes he can change the future, despite his negative experiences in his past.
Gonzalo / C / Gonzalo is mature, responsible, caring, hard-working: we infer this because he looks after Tio Juan. We also believe he is a quick learner because he learns English quickly.
Leona / TN / The tone of this chapter is sassy, assertive, determined…this comes from Leona’s words and her actions. She speaks with an attitude and will not give up until the trash is removed
Sam / T / Sam’s chapter is a great example of the theme of the entire novel. Sam wants to bring everyone together, despite their differences, to work towards a common goal. He is angered by the segregation and desires equality and unity.
Virgil / SYM / The locket symbolizes hope for Virgil and her family. Hope that the lettuce will grow and provide for her family.
Sae Young / DT / Sae Young’s dialect shows us that English is her second language. Her broken English lets the readers know that she is not originally from the United States.
Curtis / FOR / Pg. 58- At the end of this chapter, Lateesha notices Curtis workin in the garden. She has a moment of pause and gives the reader a sense that she might want him back.
Nora / POV / This chapter is told in first person by Nora, but it is unusual in that Nora is telling the chapter about someone else, Mr. Myles. We hear about Mr. Myles from Nora but as good readers, have to be aware that we only know about him from Nora’s perspective. He is unable to talk, therefore, we do not know exactly what he is thinking/feeling.
Maricela / DG / Maricela and Leona share in dialogue towards the end of the chapter. This is an important conversation because Leona helps Maricela realize the importance of playing a part in the cycle of life. It completely changes her perspective on pregnancy.
Amir / CON / The conflict in this chapter is that everyone is stereotyping one another. People have been stereotyping each other before knowing them as people. The conflicts resolve when people take the time to meet and truly “see” each other.
This could be a man vs. man conflict or a man vs. self (feeling guilt) conflict.
Florence / FB / Florence takes us back to her great-grandparents who were former slaves. She tells the story of how they walked from Louisiana to Colorado and became the first black people in the county. Her father called them “seedfolks”- someone who starts something.
Character/
Chapter / Annotation Code / Explanation (Be sure to use evidence from the text)