english semester 2 exam

Ambiguity

When something could have multiple definitions or meanings

Characterization (Direct)

When the writer tells us directly about a character’s traits

Characterization (Indirect)

where an author reveals a character's personality, traits, and motivations through their Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions, and Looks

Close Reading

Care, sustained interpretation of a brief passage of text by paying attention to the author’s word choice and trying to generate meaning as to why s/he chose some word choices over others

Connotation

The idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning

Denotation

The dictionary definition

Flashback

Scene or scenes showing events that happened earlier to give more context to the current situation

Foreshadowing

The author giving a hint or clue as to what will happen in the future

Imagery

When the author uses words and phrases to appeal to our five senses to describe the surrounding and what is happening in the plot

Irony (Dramatic)

When the audience knows more than the characters

Irony (Situational)

When the opposite of what you expect happens

Irony (Verbal)

When the character says the opposite of what they mean

Metaphor

Comparing to unlike things without using like or as

Mood

The vibes a story or scene gives off/how it makes the readers feel

Rite of Passage

a ceremony or event marking an important stage in someone's life,

Simile

A comparison between unlike things using like or as

Symbolism

An item, person, or event that represents something with a deeper meaning

Theme

The message or lesson in the story

Bildungsroman

A literary work dealing with one person’s formative years; a story about someone growing up

Comic Relief

A scene or scenes meant to provide a break from a serious piece

Diction

The kinds of words and sentences that the writer chooses to use

Graphic Novel

a book-length narrative that tells a complete story using sequential art (illustrations arranged in panels), combining images and text

Memoir

A collection of memories that an individual writes about moments or events, both public and private, that took place in the subject’s life. It is autobiographical, but it does not span the person’s whole life, just a certain time period

Stream of Consciousness

A literary style in which a character’s thoughts, feelings, and reactions are depicted in a continuous flow uninterrupted by objective description or conventional dialogue

Tone

The writer’s attitude towards his/her subject

Voice

Our sense of the writer who has created the work. The author’s style; what makes the writing unique