Check Your Understanding: Subtext Concepts Check Understanding

15–20 minutes

Formative Check — 4 Questions

Take your time. These questions help you (and your teacher) understand what you've learned about subtext.

Question 1: Knowledge Check

DOK 1 — Recall & Explain

Define subtext in your own words. Why is subtext important in dialogue writing?

Hint

Can you explain what subtext is and why writers use it? Think about the gap between what characters say and what they mean.

Question 2: Application

DOK 2 — Apply & Explain

Name three subtext techniques from the lesson and give a brief example of each.

Hint

Can you remember and use the five techniques you learned? Pick any three and show that you understand how each one works.

Techniques to choose from: Deflection, Contradiction, Loaded questions, Silence and avoidance, Double meaning

Question 3: Analysis

DOK 3 — Analyze & Explain

Read the exchange below. What is the old woman really communicating? What technique (or techniques) is the author using to create subtext?

The old woman set a bowl of stew in front of the traveler. "Eat," she said. "You'll need your strength."

"For the road?"

She didn't answer. She just closed the shutters.
Hint

Can you read between the lines? The woman doesn't say directly what she means, but the reader can sense something. What is she really saying? How does the author show this without using direct dialogue?

Question 4: Critical Thinking

DOK 2 — Evaluate & Justify

Think about the difference between a scene with NO subtext (characters say exactly what they mean) and a scene with STRONG subtext. When might you deliberately choose NOT to use subtext in your writing?

Hint

Subtext is powerful, but it's not always the right choice. Can you think of situations where you'd want characters to be direct and honest instead? Consider your character, situation, and what effect you want.

Before You Submit

Review your answers and ask yourself:

  • Do I understand what subtext is?
  • Can I name and use the techniques?
  • Can I read between the lines and identify subtext in a passage?
  • Do I understand when and why to use subtext?

If you're unsure about any of these, go back to the lesson and re-read the sections that confused you. That's what learning is!

What's Next:
Lesson 4.5: Group Dynamics & Multi-Character Dialogue