Keystone Vocabulary A-D

Affix

Affix

An additional element placed at the beginning or end of a root, stem, or word, or in the body of a word, to modify its meaning (e.g. prefix or suffix)

Allegory

Metaphor in which objects, persons and objects in a narrative have meanings that lie outside the narrative (e.g. Animal Farm by George Orwell)

Alliteration

Repetition of initial sounds in neighboring words

Allusion

Reference, either direct or implied, to a familiar event, place, or person

Analysis

The process or result of identifying the parts of a whole and their relationship to one another; detailed examination of the elements or structure of something

Antonym

Words with opposite meanings

Argument (Position)

A claim or position an author makes; argument should be supported with valid evidence and reasoning

Author's Purpose

The author's intent either to inform or teach someone about something, to entertain people, or to persuade/convince the audience to do or not do something

Bias

A positive or negative approach towards a claim

Biography

Story of a person's life written by someone other than the subject

Character

A person, animal, or inanimate object portrayed in a literary work

Characterization

The method an author uses to reveal characters and their various traits and personalities (e.g. direct or indirect)

Climax

The high point or turning point in a story; the moment when the conflict is at its most intense

Compare/Contrast

Place together characters, situations, or ideas to show common and/or differing features in literary selections

Conflict (Problem)

The struggle in a story between opposing characters, forces, or emotions (e.g. man vs man; man vs nature; man vs society; man vs self)

Connotation

The associations your feelings and imagination have with a word

Context Clues

Words or phrases in a sentence, paragraph, or whole text that help reveal the meaning of an unfamiliar word

Cultural Significance

The generally accepted importance of a work representing a given culture

Defense of a Claim

Support provided to mark an opinion/belief as reasonable

Dialect

A particular way of speaking that varies from the standard in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar; often tied to a particular area or location

Dialogue

What the characters say in a story or play

Diction

Author's choice of words, phrases, sentence structure, and figurative language to create tone and meaning

Differentiate

Distinguish, tell apart, and recognize differences between two or more items

Drama

The genre of literature represented by works intended for the stage; a work to be performed by actors on stage, radio, or television; a play

Dramatic Script

The written text of a play, which includes the dialogue between characters, stage direction, and often expository information

Draw Conclusion

To make a judgement or decision based on reasoning rather than direct or implied statements