English II - Spring 2025 Semester Exam Review (WIP)

Allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

Character foil

A character that by contrast highlights or enhances the distinctive characteristics of another character

Example of character foil in Julius Caesar

Brutus and Cassius

Characterization

the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character

Climax

the turning point of the story

Conflict

A struggle between opposing forces

Dramatic irony

when a reader is aware of something that a character isn't

Epiphany

A moment of sudden revelation or insight

Foreshadowing

A narrative device that hints at coming events; often builds suspense or anxiety in the reader.

Hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Imagery

Description that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality

Metaphor

A comparison without using like or as

Motif

A recurring theme, subject or idea

Plot structure

exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

Exposition of Julius Caesar

Caesar returns to Rome in triumph. Some fear his growing power.

Rising Action of Julius Caesar

Cassius persuades Brutus to join a conspiracy against Caesar.

Climax of Julius Caesar

Caesar's death

Falling Action of Julius Caesar

Mark Antony turns the public against the conspirators.

Resolution of Julius Caesar

Brutus and Cassius are defeated in battle and die by suicide. Order is restored in Rome.

Puns

A play on words

Similie

A comparison using "like" or "as"

Theme

Central idea of a work of literature

Themes of Julius Caesar

Honor, Ambition, and Fate v Freewill

MLA paper format

An MLA paper uses 1-inch margins, a readable 12-pt font (like Times New Roman), double spacing, and a header with your last name and page number.

Thesis Statement

a statement or sentence that states the purpose of a paper or essay

Summarizing

Briefly stating the main points and key details of a work in your own words.

Paraphrasing

Putting into words the ideas or feelings you have perceived from the message

Quoting

Citing information from a passage, book, or author to support a statement.

Source cards

Physical or digital cards that are used to document and organize your source information

Topic outlines

a systematic arrangement of ideas, using words and phrases for headings and subheadings

Works Cited format

1st line @ left margin; following lines indented ½"

How do you determine a scholarly source?

check for author credentials (e.g., PhD, university affiliations) and a list of references or bibliography.

passive voice

The subject of the sentence receives the action.

active voice

The subject of the sentence performs the action

simple sentence

A sentence consisting of one independent clause and no dependent clause

compound sentence

a sentence with two or more coordinate independent clauses, often joined by one or more conjunctions

complex sentence

A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause

compound-complex sentence

At least one dependent clause and two or more independent clauses