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Literary Terms KIND
ELA
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Plot | The sequence of events in a story--beginning, middle and end. |
| Exposition | The beginning of the story where the main characters and initial conflicts are introduced. The setting of the story (time, place, weather, culture etc.). |
| Rising Action | Events that lead up to the climax. They help create tension and suspense and may have more conflicts. |
| Climax | The turning point of the story; the moment of tension, emotion, or suspense that determines the resolution. The main conflict is addressed. |
| Falling Action | The tension and shows how the main character resolves the conflict |
| Resolution/Denouement | The end of the story where typically the main conflict is resolved |
| Theme | The central idea or message about life that is expressed in the story |
| Point of View | First person, second person, third person (omniscient) The perspective in which a story is being told |
| Foreshadowing | Hints or clues about future events |
| Conflict | A problem, fight, or struggle between characters, society, nature, or internally within |
| Setting | Where and when the story takes place (including the time, place, weather, culture, customs and traditions) |
| Antagonist | The central character’s opponent (creates the conflict) |
| Protagonist | The central character usually involved in a conflict against the antagonist. May also be known as the hero |
| Internal Conflict | Conflict is your own self (in your head/decisions) (IN) |
| External Conflict | Conflict between you and other people (characters, society, nature, tech, paranormal,etc) (EX) |
| Dynamic Character | A character who undergoes a significant internal change over the course of the story this may be a change in understanding, values, insight etc |
| Static Character | A character who does not undergo a significant change over the course of a story |
| Central Idea | What the section is mostly about |
| Character vs. Self | In this type of conflict, the main character experiences some kind of inner conflict like making a difficult decision or dealing with a personal problem |
| Character vs. Character | This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with another character, human or not human |
| Character vs. Nature | This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist |
| Character vs. Society | This type of conflict finds the main character in conflict with the forces of nature, which serve as the antagonist |
| Audible | Adjective: Able to be heard, loud enough to hear. |
| Audience | Noun: The people who hear a speech performance. |
| Audition | Noun: A tryout for a role; a hearing to test and judge a performer’s ability. Verb: To perform for a part; to try out for a role. |
| Auditorium | Noun: A large room or hall where people gather to hear speakers or view performances. |
| Inaudible | Adjective: Not able to be heard, too soft or faint to hear, unheard. |
| Megaphone | Noun: A cone-shaped horn used to direct the voice and make it sound louder. |
| Phonics | Noun: The study of the sounds and letters of the alphabet. |
| Saxophone | Noun: A curved wind instrument made of brass with a reed mouthpiece and keys for the fingers. |
| Symphony | Noun: A long piece of music played by an orchestra. Also derived from the Greek word meaning “together” |
| -orium, -arium words | a large store that sells a variety of goods. |
| -orium, -arium words | a large tank filled with water and fish |
| -orium, -arium words | a transparent enclosure for keeping and growing plants. Small bugs can be added. |
| -orium, -arium words | a domed building where images of planets, stars and constellations are shown on the ceiling for entertainment purposes. |
| -orium, -arium words | a room mostly made of glass to let light in. Like a sunroom where people sometimes keep their plants. |
| Idiom | A phrase or expression that says one thing, but means something else |
| Allusion | A reference to something outside of what you are reading- a place, person, or event |
| Hyperbole | An extreme exaggeration |
| Simile | A comparison of two different things using the words “like” or “as" |
| Metaphor | A direct comparison of two different things without using “like” or “as”; it describes |
| Personification | Describing nonhuman animals, objects, or ideas as though they possess human qualities or emotions |
| Alliteration | Repetition of initial consonant sounds |
| Postscript | Noun: A note added after ending ( often abbreviated P.S.) After signing the letter, Mia remembered more news and decided to add postscript. |
| Antisocial | Unfriendly; not enjoying the company of others |
| Association | A club, society or an organization of people with similar interests |
| Dissociate | To break the ties between, separate from, stop associating with. |
| Society | People, human beings living and working as a group or community. |
| Sociologist | A scientist who works in the area of sociology, which examines the relationships, values, and institutions of communities of people. |
| Commemorate | To honor the memory of. |
| Memento | An object that reminds one of a special time or place. |
| Memorandum | A written or typed note to help one remember something. |
| Memorial | A monument or statue built in memory of a person or an event. |
| Remembrance | An object that keeps memory of something alive. |
| Direct Characterization | The author tells the reader what the character is like |
| Indirect Characterization | The author shows the reader what the character is like through how a character looks, does, says, thinks, and/or how the character affects the other characters |
| Authors purpose | The reason why the author writes: Entertain, Inform, explain, and Persuade |
| Mood | The feelings the reader gets from reading the authors words |
| Tone | The attitudes and feelings of an author/speaker toward a subject |
| Characterization | Means through which an author reveals a characters personality. Characterization may be direct or indirect |
| Noun | Names a person, place, thing, or idea/concept |
| Common Noun | A general name for a person, place, thing, or idea/concept- not capitalized unless its the first word of a sentance |
| Proper Noun | The name of a particular place, person, thing, or idea/concept... begins with a capital letter |
| Singular Noun | Names ONE person, place, thing, or idea/concept |
| Plural Noun | Names more than one person, place, thing, idea/concept |
| Action Verb | Tells about an action. Sometimes you can see the action (physical actions) |
| Linking Verb | Do not show action, instead, they tell that something is, or they link the subject with a word or words in |
| Adjectives | A word that modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. The answer to the questions: what kind, which ones & how many? |
| Adverbs | Modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They are commonly formed by adding -Iy. They answer the questions; How, where, & when? |
| Pronouns | Is used in place of a noun |