Period
l{ame
Chapter One
Stcrndcrds Focus: Exposition-setting the StorA in Motion
When you first begin reading a book, you enter a new world. You might not be
familiar with the history, setting, or characters of the story. Or, while you read, you
might feei lost or confused until you learn enough about the story world to feei
comfortable.
Good readers know that authors will help them navigate the neu'world of a novel.
Authors do this by creating an element of the plot called the exposihon. This is the
background story, history, or character information the reader needs to knor,v in
order to understand the world of the novel.
In Ro// of Thunder, Hean" My Cry, Chapter r contains exposition that helps the
reader learn about the Logan family and their life.
But, instead of beginning the story with a long
family history, Mildred D. Taylor starts the story
The trasic elernents
"in medias res," which means "in the middle of
of a plot include:
things." The novel begins with the children walking
exposition, rising
to school, and right away, there is a conflict' By
action, climax, falling
starting the story this way, the author draws the
action, and resolution.
the
u'eaves
then
and
reader into the story,
exposition around the actions of the first chapter.
Once you have finished reading Chapter r, look back at the chapter for exposition
that hllps explain the world of Roll of 'fhunder, HeQr My Cry to the reader.
Directions: Complete the graphic organizer on the next page by uriting some
background inforiation or explanation giuen in Chapter t. To do this, Aou maA
hauito ,er"od or scan the text of Chapter t. This important background
information giuen in Chapter t ruilt actually help yotL understand the euents that
oi"u, tater ii the nouel. Wite ttuo or three ideas or sentemces for ectch topic. The
first one has been startedfor you.
Harlan
Granger's
Land
@zoro Secondary Solutions
a
a
Borders the Logan's land
F'armed by sharecroppers
z6
Roll of Thunder, Hear
My Cry Literature Guide