english 212

Ambiguity

a detail that can be interpreted in different ways

Connotation

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

imagery

using descriptive words to appeal to our five senses

direct characterization

when the author directly tells you a detail about the character

close reading

Careful, 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.

denotation

the dictionary definition

rite of passage

a very important time in your life where you are developing

flashback

A scene that shows a previous event and reveals an important piece of information to the reader

foreshadowing

A hint or clue about what will happen later in the story 

situational irony

when the reader expects one thing to happen but something unexpected or the opposite happens

indirect characterization

the characters traits are revealed through events and description of: actions, appearance, thoughts, speech, and responses

metaphor

comparing two unlike thinks without like or as

simile

comparing two unlike thinks with like or as

mood

how a story or passage makes the reader feel

Dramatic irony

when the readers know something in the story that characters don’t

symbolism

when something in the story represents something deeper

Theme

the underlying message

Verbal irony

when a statement has a under lying meaning and the under lying meaning is the real intent