Advanced Analysis Of Heroic Deeds & Author’s Choices

1. You should pay attention not just to what the heroic deed is, but also to how the writer presents it.

True

False

Word choice, order of events, and point of view all shape how the heroism feels.

Explanation

Word choice, order of events, and point of view all shape how the heroism feels.

2. The story begins with a medal ceremony where an older woman receives a national award. The narrative then jumps back twenty years to show how, as a young teacher, she blocked a school door to keep an armed intruder away from her students. What is the effect of starting at the medal ceremony and then flashing back?

It makes the heroic deed feel less important.

It spoils the ending.

It builds curiosity about what she did to deserve the medal, then reveals the heroic deed as the answer.

It hides the main character.

The opening raises a question, and the flashback provides the powerful explanation.

Explanation

The opening raises a question, and the flashback provides the powerful explanation.

3. Which structural choice would most directly slow down and highlight a heroic deed?

Summarizing it in one sentence

Skipping it and telling it later

Using a detailed, moment-by-moment description (slow motion)

Ignoring it completely

Focusing closely on each action and thought draws attention to the moment.

Explanation

Focusing closely on each action and thought draws attention to the moment.

4. An author might downplay a heroic deed in the narration to show that the character doesn’t see themselves as a hero.

True

False

Understated language can reveal humility or discomfort with praise.

Explanation

Understated language can reveal humility or discomfort with praise.

5. Title: “The Day I Didn’t Run Away” The story spends several pages describing all the times the narrator has avoided conflict, then ends with one moment where they finally stand up to an abusive coach. What is the structural purpose of all the earlier “cowardly” scenes?

To show that the narrator never changes

To make the final stand seem smaller

To heighten the impact of the final heroic deed by contrast

To confuse the reader

Seeing many earlier failures makes the moment of courage feel like real growth.

Explanation

Seeing many earlier failures makes the moment of courage feel like real growth.

6. The narrative shows three characters facing the same burning building: one runs away, one freezes, and one runs inside. The chapter ends with the line, “Only one of them could later explain why they moved at all.” What does this structural choice suggest?

All three are equally heroic.

The runner is a villain.

The focus will shift to the inner motives behind the heroic deed.

The fire was not dangerous.

The line points toward exploring the mindset of the character who acted.

Explanation

The line points toward exploring the mindset of the character who acted.

7. Placing a heroic deed at the very end of a story can leave readers with a strong, lasting emotional impression.

True

False

Endings stick with readers, so a final act of courage can define the story.

Explanation

Endings stick with readers, so a final act of courage can define the story.

8. “I didn’t feel like a hero when I signed the donation form. My hands were shaking so hard I could barely hold the pen. All I remember thinking was, ‘If this gives him one more chance, I have to try.’” Which statement BEST interprets how the narration presents the heroic deed?

It shows the narrator as fearless and perfect.

It shows the narrator as terrified but committed, making the deed more human and heroic.

It shows the narrator as selfish.

It hides the motivation.

Admitting fear and acting anyway makes the sacrifice feel real and believable.

Explanation

Admitting fear and acting anyway makes the sacrifice feel real and believable.

9. In a story, the author only hints at a heroic deed through dialogue: “You know what she did for us last year.” This choice:

Removes all suspense

Forces the reader to imagine or later discover the details of the heroism

Makes the deed unimportant

Explains everything clearly

The hint suggests something big happened and invites curiosity about it.

Explanation

The hint suggests something big happened and invites curiosity about it.

10. When you see a heroic deed in a story, it often connects to bigger ideas like sacrifice, justice, loyalty, or identity.

True

False

Heroic moments usually relate to the story’s deeper themes, not just the plot.

Explanation

Heroic moments usually relate to the story’s deeper themes, not just the plot.

11. Title 1: “The Hero Next Door” Title 2: “The Person Who Refused to Be a Hero” Which question is MOST helpful for analysis?

Which title is cooler?

How might each story arrange events to support its idea about choosing heroism or refusing it?

Which title is longer?

Which title has better rhythm?

This asks how structure might reflect different views of heroism.

Explanation

This asks how structure might reflect different views of heroism.

12. The author begins by describing a chaotic earthquake scene, focusing only on destruction. In the second half, the focus shifts to a group of volunteers who rebuild homes and provide food for months afterward. What is the effect of this structural shift?

It suggests heroism is boring.

It minimizes the volunteers’ work.

It moves from disaster to human heroism, highlighting resilience and compassion.

It is unrelated to heroic deeds.

The change in focus shows how people respond to tragedy with courage and care.

Explanation

The change in focus shows how people respond to tragedy with courage and care.

13. Sometimes an author might show a “failed” heroic attempt to explore themes like human limitation or moral courage.

True

False

An effort can still be heroic even if it doesn’t completely solve the problem.

Explanation

An effort can still be heroic even if it doesn’t completely solve the problem.

14. Which is the strongest thesis-style statement about heroic deeds and structure?

The story has a hero.

The author tells us who the hero is.

Heroic deeds are cool.

This statement connects the timing of the flashback to character and theme.

Explanation

This statement connects the timing of the flashback to character and theme.

15. Overall, when you read about heroic deeds in upper grades, a strong analysis should include:

Only a list of events

Only naming the hero

What the deed is, why it is heroic, where it appears in the story, and what bigger idea it supports

How many times the word “hero” appears

A full analysis looks at action, motivation, structure, and deeper meaning.

Explanation

A full analysis looks at action, motivation, structure, and deeper meaning.

Advanced Analysis of Heroic Deeds & Author’s Choices

1. You should pay attention not just to what the heroic deed is, but also to how the writer presents it.

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

3. Which structural choice would most directly slow down and highlight a heroic deed?

4. An author might downplay a heroic deed in the narration to show that the character doesn’t see themselves as a hero.

5. Title: “The Day I Didn’t Run Away” The story spends several pages describing all the times the narrator has avoided conflict, then ends with one moment where they finally stand up to an abusive coach. What is the structural purpose of all the earlier “cowardly” scenes?

6. The narrative shows three characters facing the same burning building: one runs away, one freezes, and one runs inside. The chapter ends with the line, “Only one of them could later explain why they moved at all.” What does this structural choice suggest?

7. Placing a heroic deed at the very end of a story can leave readers with a strong, lasting emotional impression.

8. “I didn’t feel like a hero when I signed the donation form. My hands were shaking so hard I could barely hold the pen. All I remember thinking was, ‘If this gives him one more chance, I have to try.’” Which statement BEST interprets how the narration presents the heroic deed?

9. In a story, the author only hints at a heroic deed through dialogue: “You know what she did for us last year.” This choice:

10. When you see a heroic deed in a story, it often connects to bigger ideas like sacrifice, justice, loyalty, or identity.

11. Title 1: “The Hero Next Door” Title 2: “The Person Who Refused to Be a Hero” Which question is MOST helpful for analysis?

12. The author begins by describing a chaotic earthquake scene, focusing only on destruction. In the second half, the focus shifts to a group of volunteers who rebuild homes and provide food for months afterward. What is the effect of this structural shift?

13. Sometimes an author might show a “failed” heroic attempt to explore themes like human limitation or moral courage.

14. Which is the strongest thesis-style statement about heroic deeds and structure?

15. Overall, when you read about heroic deeds in upper grades, a strong analysis should include: