English 9

inferences

A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

author's purpose

the author's intent either to inform/teach, to entertain, or to persuade/convince the audience

theme

the central idea or message that the author wants to convey in the text

context clues

Clues in surrounding text that help the reader determine the meaning of an unknown word

Climax

Most exciting moment of the story; turning point

Exposition

A narrative device, often used at the beginning of a work that provides necessary background information about the characters and their circumstances.

rising action

A series of events that builds from the conflict. It begins with the inciting force and ends with the climax.

falling action

the part of a literary plot that occurs after the climax has been reached and the conflict has been resolved

Resolution

End of the story where loose ends are tied up

Mood

How the reader feels about the text while reading.

Tone

A writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels.

Irony

when the actual meaning is the complete opposite from the literal meaning.
Example: When someone says "I'm fine" but in reality, they are not actually fine.

Plot

Sequence of events in a story

first person point of view

a character in the story is actually telling the story himself/herself, pronoun "I" is used.

second person point of view

The narrator tells the story using the pronouns "You", "Your," and "Yours" to address a reader or listener directly

third person limited

the narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character, told using pronouns "he" or "she" as the narrator is outside of the story

third person omniscient

Point of view in which an all-knowing narrator knows all the thoughts and actions of any or all characters.

Author's Purpose: Inform

the writer is trying to give you new information or teach you something. (textbook, newspaper)

Author's Purpose: Entertain

the author is trying to write something for the reader's enjoyment. examples: novel, short story, play or poem.

author's purpose: persuade

the author is trying to convince the reader to agree or adopt their opinion, belief, or take. examples: (sale letters, campaign speeches, advertisement)

major character

character with a significant role in the action of the story

Protagonist

Main character in a story (example: Katniss, Peeta, Esperanza)

Antagonist

A character or force in conflict with the main character. Example: (Snow, Cato, Tybalt)

flat character

A character who embodies a single quality and who does not develop in the course of a story
example: Lady Capulet

dynamic character

A character who grows, learns, or changes as a result of the story's action
example: Mercutio

static character

A character that does not change from the beginning of the story to the end.
example: Tybalt

thesis statement

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

hook

The first sentence or question in an essay that is designed to grab the reader's attention

Essay Structure

Introduction: hook & thesis statement, body paragraphs, and conclusion

Thesis Statement Formula

Topic + Claim (opinion)= reasons (evidence)

Foreshadowing

the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot

FANBOYS

coordinating conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Personification

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

Simile

A comparison of two unlike things using like or as

Metaphor

A comparison without using like or as