Stories Make Sense
Key Elements to Analyze & Understand Fiction
Susan B. Kahn, MEd
“My grandson used to retell every detail in a story. After lessons with Sue, he picks out the key elements of a story and summarizes it quickly and well.”
Skill-building series for students with dyslexia and other challenges
"Stories Make Sense: An Engaging Segment of a Comprehensive Skill-Building Series Tailored for Students with Dyslexia and Other Learning Challenges."
Unlock Reading Success: Transform Fiction Into Understanding!
Sue’s Strategies Stories Make Sense is a practical guide that improves reading comprehension and increases the enjoyment of fiction. Key elements such as conflict and setting reveal why the main characters struggle to solve a problem. As the protagonist faces challenges, he/she/they experience failures in the beginning. However, a Turning Point changes the direction of the story and leads to meaningful progress for a resolution and conclusion. Together, these elements form the basic story structure needed for analyzing plot, characters, setting, mood, and themes. Students can begin using these strategies as early as age eight. Children with learning disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD benefit greatly from Sue’s Strategies® methodology.
Stories Make Sense directs students to record these key elements in brief phrases, without copying from the text, on the graphic organizers included in this book. A written record of the plot reduces the memory load and provides a sequential road map of critical actions. The student can then use this information as evidence to answer questions, to pass tests, and/or to write essays. Thoughts and feelings do not belong on these plot organizers. Knowing the actions facilitates analysis and comprehension.
Stories Make Sense provides clear, simple strategies that enable readers of all ages to analyze, understand, and appreciate fiction.
How wonderful!