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PSSA Review
Literary terms from the 8th grade PSSA
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| affix | word parts added to words to change their meanings |
| root | base word part with a simple meaning |
| prefix | affix added at the beginning of a root |
| suffix | affix added to the end of a root |
| main idea | main point of a nonfiction text |
| theme | the main point that the reader takes away from a literary work |
| cause and effect | a text structure in which the writer presents an event or condition that causes things to happen |
| compare/contrast | a text structure in which the writer discusses the similarities and/or differences of two or more things |
| question and answer | a text structure in which the writer asks questions about the topic & answers them |
| sequential order | a text structure in which the writer lists events in the order they occurred |
| classification | a text structure in which the writer groups similar things into categories |
| spatial order | a text structure in which the writer puts things in order based on location |
| order of importance | a text structure in which the writer lists facts & details starting with most important |
| induction | a text structure in which the writer begins with specific ideas leading to a general idea |
| deduction | a text structure in which the writer starts with a general idea and becomes more specific |
| infer | to make an educated guess using available evidence |
| generalizations | a broad statement about a topic that can be applied to more than one situation |
| author's purpose | the author’s reason for writing a text |
| fact | a statement that is true and can be checked for accuracy |
| opinion | a personally held belief or judgment |
| bandwagon effect | persuades by suggesting that “everyone else is doing it” |
| name calling | makes unsupported accusations |
| stereotyping | uses commonly held but oversimplified images of groups |
| snobbery | suggests people can be better than others by acting or thinking a certain way |
| ordinary folks | connects the author with simple values and down-to-earth people |
| glittering generalities | words that sound patriotic, attractive, or catchy but don’t mean anything |
| scientific claim | uses high-tech or scientific claims without providing evidence |
| testimonial | tells you to base your decision on someone else’s opinion |
| scare tactics | describes possible negative effects that make people act out of fear |
| guilt by association | implies that friends or relatives of those who fail or do wrong must also be bad |
| alliteration | the repetition of initial consonant sounds |
| allusion | a reference in literature to a familiar person, place, or event |
| antonym | a word that is the opposite of another word |
| autobiography | the story of a person's life written by him or herself |
| bias | a judgment based on a personal point of view |
| biography | the story of a person's life written by someone else |
| characterization | the method an author uses to reveal characters' personalities |
| climax | the turning point in a story; the moment when the conflict is most intense |
| conflict | a struggle between two opposing forces |
| dialogue | conversation between people in a literary work |
| expository | text with the purpose of informing |
| first person | a point of view where the main character tells the story; uses "I" and "me" |
| foreshadowing | dropping hints about what is to come |
| free verse | poetry with without rhyme or meter; sounds like everyday speech |
| hyperbole | an exaggeration or overstatement |
| imagery | language that paints a picture and appeals to the five senses |
| irony | verbal sarcasm OR when the unexpected happens |
| metaphor | a comparison between two unlike objects without using "like" or "as" |
| meter | the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem |
| mood | the emotion of a work |
| narrative | writing that tells a story |
| omniscient | an all-knowing narrator |
| onomatopoeia | a word that imitates sound |
| personification | assigning human qualities to nonhuman things |
| plot | the action and structure of a story |
| rhythm | the beat of a poem |
| rising action | the part of a story when the tensions are rising |
| exposition | the part of a story that introduces characters, setting, and conflict |
| falling action | the part of a story when the tensions are easing |
| resolution | the end of a story when a conflict is resolved |
| setting | the time and place where a story occurs |
| simile | comparing two like things by using a word of comparison |
| symbol | one thing that stands for another |
| synonym | two words that have similar meanings |
| third person | a point of view from an outsider's perspective |
| tone | the attitude an author takes toward his/her audience and characters |
Created by:
jkramm
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