Central Idea
the unifying element of a story
Characterization
a description of a character's features or traits
Conflict
the problem that takes place in a story
Connotation
the abstract meaning of a word
Denotation
the dictionary definition of a word
Figurative Language
the use of words in a way to deviate from their literal interpretation
Inference
a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
Metaphor
comparing two unlike things without using the words like or as
Objective Summary
a short statement that tells what something is about but does not include irrelevant details (like opinions)
Oxymoron
a combination of contradicting terms
Personification
giving a nonhuman object human-like qualities
Point of View
the narrator's position in relation to the story being told.
Setting
the time and place in which a story takes place
Simile
comparing two unlike things using the words like or as
Theme
the moral or lesson of a story
Purpose
the intent or objective behind an author's writing
Rhetorical Question
a questions that one does not truly want an answer to
Structure
the frame or outline of a story (Chronological Order, General Overview)
Alliteration
a repetition of a certain letter or sound at the beginning of words
Allusion
refers to a well-known story, event, person, or object in order to make a comparison in the readers' minds
Allegory
when an entire story is a symbol for something else, rather than a singular object, person, or event
Analogy
creates a relationship based on parallels or connections between two ideas
Anecdote
a short story, usually serving to make the listeners laugh or ponder over a topic; will relate to the subject matter that the group of people is discussing
Archetype
a specific/typical example of a person or thing
Dialect
the language, or way of speaking used by a specific group of people
Exaggeration
the presentation of something with more importance that it actually has
Flashback
a referred to event in story that happened earlier in time in that story
Foreshadowing
using details to give clues as to what will happen later on in a story
Hyperbole
an extreme exaggeration
Imagery
using details to appeal to the senses and create an image
Dramatic Irony
occurs when the audience is aware of something that the characters in the story are not aware of
Verbal Irony
the use of words to mean something different from what a person actually says; often a play on words or opposites
Situational Irony
occurs when the exact opposite of what is meant to happen, happens
Mood
the general feeling or atmosphere that a piece of writing creates within the reader.
Motivation
the reason behind a character's actions or behavior
Narrative
a report of related events presented to an audience in a logical sequence
Onomatopoeia
the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named
Paradox
a ridiculous statement or idea that is later proven true
Parallel Structure
the repetition of the same pattern of words or phrases to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance
Pun
a joke; often a play on words
Refrain
a repeated line or verse
Repetition
the recurrence of a certain topic, line, or symbol
Soliloquy
a monologue given by a character when they are alone on stage/in the scene
Symbolism
using symbols to represent ideas
Tone
attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience
Understatement
the presentation of something with less importance that it actually has
Unreliable Narrator
a narrator whose credibility has been tainted (biased)
Couplet
two lines of verse; usually in the same meter/joined by rhyme, that form a unit.
Rhyme Scheme
the pattern of rhymes at the ends of the lines of a poem
Stanza
a group of lines forming a verse in a poem
Antonym
words that have opposite meanings
Synonym
words that have the same meaning