11th Grade Final Exam Items/Topics

Figurative Language

The use of words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation, often to create imagery or emphasize a point. Common types include similes, metaphors, and personification.

Exaggeration/Hyperbole

A figure of speech that involves extreme exaggeration for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally.

Allusions

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work, used to create connections or enhance meaning in writing.

Alliteration

The repetition of the initial consonant sounds in a series of words, often used to create rhythm or mood in writing.

Consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words in close proximity, often used to create a harmonious effect or enhance the rhythm in literature.

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words, often used to create internal rhyme or enhance musicality in poetry and prose.

Onomatopoeia

The formation of a word that phonetically imitates or resembles the sound it describes, often used to enhance the auditory imagery in writing.

Similes

Comparisons between two unlike things using "like" or "as" to highlight a particular similarity.

Metaphors

Figures of speech that make direct comparisons between two unlike things without using "like" or "as", often to convey deeper meaning.

Personification

The attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities or abstract concepts, enhancing readers' connection to the subject.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping to create vivid mental pictures for the reader.

Literary/Rhetorical Terms

Categories of devices used in writing and speaking to convey meanings, create effects, and enhance communication.

Foreshadowing

A literary device used to indicate or suggest future events in a story, often creating anticipation or tension for the reader.

Flashback

A narrative technique that interrupts the chronological flow of a story to present events that occurred in the past, helping to provide background or context.

Understatement

A rhetorical device in which the significance of an event or situation is deliberately minimized, often for ironic or humorous effect.

Irony

A literary device that involves a discrepancy between expectation and reality, often revealing contrasts that create humor or critical insight.

Characterization

The process by which an author reveals the personality, traits, and motivations of a character in a story, through direct or indirect methods.

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told, influencing how information is presented and interpreted by the reader.

1st Person

A narrative style where the story is told from the perspective of a character using "I" or "we," allowing readers to experience the character's thoughts and feelings directly.

3rd Person

A narrative style where the story is told from an outside perspective using "he," "she," or "they," providing a broader view of the characters and events.

Omniscient

A narrative style in which the narrator knows and can share the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of all characters in the story.

Limited

A narrative style where the storyteller knows the thoughts and feelings of only one character, offering insight into that character's experiences while keeping others' perspectives hidden.

Counterargument

A rebuttal or opposing viewpoint presented in an argument to address potential objections and strengthen the original position.

Rhetorical Question

A question posed for effect, not meant to be answered, often used in persuasive writing to engage the audience.

Diction

The choice of words and style of expression used by a writer or speaker, which helps convey tone and character.

Analogy

A comparison between two different things that highlights some form of similarity, often used to clarify a concept or illustrate a point.

Paradox

A statement that appears contradictory but reveals a deeper truth or insight, often used in literature and rhetoric to provoke thought.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities, allowing deeper meanings and themes to be conveyed in literature and art.

Character foils

Literary characters that contrast with each other to highlight particular qualities and traits.

Ethos

A mode of persuasion that appeals to the speaker's credibility or character, establishing trust with the audience.

Pathos

A mode of persuasion that appeals to the audience's emotions, evoking feelings to gain support or understanding.

Logos

A mode of persuasion that appeals to logic and reason, using factual evidence and rational arguments to convince the audience.

Rhetorical Triangle

A framework that illustrates the relationship between ethos, pathos, and logos in persuasive communication, helping to understand how effective arguments are constructed.

Connotation

The implied or suggested meanings associated with a word beyond its literal definition. Connotation influences how language is interpreted and understood in different contexts.

Denotation

The literal or primary meaning of a word, as opposed to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests. Denotation is crucial for understanding the exact intention behind language.

Structure/Form

The arrangement and organization of elements within a text, which impacts its overall meaning and effectiveness. Structure or form can include aspects like layout, order of information, and the use of literary techniques.

Word meaning in context

refers to how the meaning of a word can change based on the surrounding text or situation, influencing interpretation and understanding.

Story unity- Theme

refers to the coherence and consistency of the story's message or central idea, ensuring that all elements contribute to a unified thematic statement. It is essential for creating a meaningful narrative.

Organization of a passage

The way ideas are arranged and connected within a text to enhance clarity and comprehension.

Chronology

the arrangement of events in order of occurrence, helping to establish a clear timeline in a narrative or text.

Function of a passage in context

refers to the specific role a passage plays within a larger text, contributing to the overall argument, theme, or purpose.

Purpose of a paragraph within the structure of the paragraph

refers to the main idea or goal that a paragraph aims to convey, which supports the overall thesis or argument of the text.

Purpose/function of a sentence within the structure of a paragraph

refers to the role that a sentence plays in conveying the main idea and supporting the overall message of the paragraph.

Contrast/Juxtaposition

refers to the act of comparing two or more elements to highlight their differences or similarities, often used to enhance understanding or emphasize a particular point.

Inciting incident

the event that sets the main plot into motion, creating a conflict that drives the story forward.

Climax

the turning point of a narrative, where the tension reaches its highest point and the main conflict unfolds.

Denouement/Resolution

the final part of a story where conflicts are resolved and the narrative closes, providing closure to the characters and plot.

Conclusion

the final section of a written work that summarizes the main points and provides final thoughts or insights.

Setting

the time and place in which a story takes place, establishing the context for the events and characters.

Time and Place

in which a story unfolds, including the historical period, location, and environment that influence the plot and characters.

Cultural/Historical relevance

context that influences a story's characters and events, shaped by societal norms and historical settings.

Content

the themes, ideas, and subject matter that a story explores, encompassing its narrative elements and messages.

Word choice and connotation

the deliberate selection of words and their associated meanings that affect tone and reader perception.

Identifying tone

the author's attitude or emotional quality expressed through word choice and style.

Expert testimony

a form of evidence from an individual with specialized knowledge or skills in a particular area, often used to support or clarify arguments in a text.

Repetition of words, phrases, images, and ideas

to emphasize a point or theme in writing.

Opinion vs. Fact

The distinction between subjective beliefs and objective truths, where opinions are personal views while facts are verifiable statements.

Direct references to people, ideas, objects, etc.

in a text or discourse, used to support arguments or provide clarity.

Effect/function of phrases

The use of phrases in writing that convey meaning and impact, often enhancing the clarity or emotional resonance of the text.

Effect/function of words

The role that individual words play in a text, influencing meaning, tone, and the overall impact of the writing.

Visuals and their purpose

Visual elements used to enhance understanding, convey information, or add emotional impact in textual contexts.

Text

The written or printed words that convey ideas, information, or narratives, forming the primary medium of communication in writing.

Colors

The various hues used in texts and visuals to evoke emotions, signal importance, or create contrast.

People

Elements included in visuals that represent characters, items, or themes, helping to illustrate concepts or narratives effectively.

Objects

Items that can be perceived by the senses, often used in various contexts to represent concepts or themes.

Subject

The main topic or area of study in an educational context that guides the content of a lesson or curriculum.

Occasion

A specific time or event that serves as a context for a gathering, celebration, or significant activity, providing meaning and relevance to the activities that occur.

Audience

A group of people who gather to listen to or observe a presentation, performance, or speech, often influencing the style and content of the delivery.

Purpose

The reason or intent behind a presentation or activity, often guiding the message and its delivery to achieve specific outcomes.

Speaker

The individual who delivers a speech, presentation, or performance, conveying messages to an audience and often engaging them through tone, body language, and content.

Tone

The emotional quality or attitude expressed in a presentation or piece of writing, influencing how the audience perceives the message.

Purpose of quting other sources or experts (ethos)

To establish credibility and trustworthiness, enhancing the speaker's authority on the subject.

Inference

The logical conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning, allowing the audience to understand implied meanings or interpretations.

Primary purpose

is to draw logical conclusions based on evidence and reasoning, beyond what is directly stated.

Defining group or idea a speaker addresses or refers to

Audience or target audience

Author’s attitude toward an idea, event, person, etc.

Tone or author's tone

Grammer/Conventions

Refers to the rules and standards of language usage, including spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.

Commas

Punctuation marks used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, list items, or separate clauses.

Semicolons

Punctuation marks used to connect independent clauses or separate items in a complex list.

Parallel structure

A grammatical construction in which similar ideas are expressed using the same pattern of words, contributing to rhythm and clarity in writing.

Smoothly embedding a quotation

means integrating a quote into your writing in a way that flows naturally with the surrounding text, maintaining the original meaning and enhancing the overall message.

Subject verb agreement

Refers to the grammatical rule that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number, meaning a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

Refers to the grammatical rule that a pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender, and person. For example, a singular antecedent takes a singular pronoun.

Correct citation of a quotation from a source

involves providing accurate information regarding the origin of the quote, including the author's name, the title of the work, and the page number if applicable, following a specific citation style such as MLA or APA.

Word choice: Their/There/They’re

Refers to the selection of the correct form of the homophones their, there, and they’re in writing. "Their" is a possessive pronoun, "there" indicates a place, and "they’re" is a contraction for "they are."

Proper nouns

are specific names for individual people, places, or organizations, and they always begin with a capital letter. Examples include "New York," "Sarah," and "Microsoft."

Misplaced modifiers

are words or phrases that are improperly positioned in a sentence, potentially leading to confusion or misinterpretation of the intended meaning.