Literary Terms and Reading STAAR Advice

nonfiction

writing that is true

setting

time and place a story occurs

metaphor

a figure of speech in which things are compared by stating that one thing IS another

commonplace assertion

an assertion that is held to be true by most people but not backed up with facts

imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the five senses

take a break outside the room

What you should do between passages when you get bored and tired of reading during the test

audience

One's listener or readership; those to whom a speech or piece of writing is addressed.

point of view

The perspective from which a story is told

rising action

a related series of incidents in a literary plot that build toward the climax

climax

Most exciting or important moment of the story; turning point

resolution

End of the story where loose ends are tied up and the questions are answered

tone

Attitude a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character

organization

Examples: chronological, comparison-contrast, cause-and-effect, problem-and-solution

first person point of view

the narrator is a character in the story and uses I, me, us, we, my, our in the narration

False!

You can only use a dictionary on the questions that ask you to tell the definition of a word.

author's purpose

3 main types: persuade, inform, entertain

falling action

the action that finishes up a story and leads to the resolution

characterization

what a character does, what they say, and what others say about them

characterization

accomplished through dialogue, actions, thoughts

True!

You should read the ENTIRE passage before attempting to answer the questions.

traits

the literary term for a character's qualities

personification

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes

theme

a message about life that the plot and characters of a story convey to its reader

as many times as you want to

the amount of times you can read or look back at the stories/poems/articles on your reading test

organization

the way a writer chooses to arrange and present information

stage directions

instructions in a script for what the actors should do onstage

fiction

writing that tells about characters and events from the author's imagination

third person objective pov

the narrator is not a character in the story, but they are limited to facts and observable actions/dialogue; doesn't tell what any character thinks or feels

why you should do your best on the STAAR test

they judge you based on it; they judge me based on it; they'll make you do remedial work this summer or next year during Power Hour if you don't pass; you should ALWAYS do your best!

FALSE!

The best test strategy is to read the questions before the story, then go back and look for the answers - that way you probably won't have to read the whole story.

second person pov

the narrator includes the reader as a character in the story; uses "you"

alliteration

Repeated consonant sounds at the beginning of words

plot

Sequence of events in a story

rhyme

Repetition of sounds at the end of words

loaded terms

Words or phrases that evoke strong emotions.

rhetoric question

One asked solely to produce an effect or to make a statement, but not expected to receive an answer

loaded question

questions worded in a way to suggest that some kinds of answers are more appropriate than others (what do you think about this WONDERFUL textbook?)

simile

A comparison between two things using like or as

with permission, go get a drink of water or splash water on your face

What Mrs. Derr wants you to do if you start to feel sleepy during the test

third person limited omniscient pov

the narrator is not a character in the story, and they know everything about only one character

flashback

when the author interrupts the main story to tell about something that happened in the past

plot

the sequence of events that takes you through a story

mood

the overall feeling that a work evokes in the reader

third person omniscient pov

the narrator is not a character in the story, and they know everything about everyone; they can tell what any/every character is thinking or feeling

characters

the people or animals that take part in the story's action

exposition

includes the setting of a story, introduces the characters, and sets up the conflict of a story

foreshadowing

when the author gives a hint about what will happen later

author's purpose

the reason an author writes a particular work

hyperbole

a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect

conflict

the problem in a story

onomatopoeia

a word that sounds like the objects or actions it refers to

characterization

the creation of a character's personality

What is a good strategy to avoid being confused by the answer choices?

Formulate an answer before looking at the choices, and then pick the choice that best matches what you already decided.

1 or 2 sentence answer with evidence

Read the question carefully. Then enter your answer in the box provided.

What is one way the setting in "The Antique Shop" affects Jesse's values? Support your answer with evidence from the story.

At least 8 sentences with evidence and explanations

Read the excerpt from "Say What, Horse?" Based on the information in the article, write a response to the following:

Explain what new research reveals about horses' ability to communicate.

Write a well-organized informational composition that uses specific evidence from the article to support your answer.

Remember to —

clearly state your thesis

organize your writing

develop your ideas in detail

use evidence from the selection in your response

use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar

Manage your time carefully so that you can —

review the selection

plan your response

write your response

revise and edit your response

Write your response in the box provided.

1 sentence answer using only the ideas in the referenced sentences

Gage wants to combine the ideas in sentences 5 and 6. In the box provided, write a new sentence that combines these ideas in a clear and effective way.