Vocabulary for Ninth Grade Summer Reading Unit

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in words close to each other, usually in a phrase or sentence.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of literature that is not directly mentioned in the text.

Archetype

A universal symbol, theme, or pattern that appears in various cultures and time periods, representing a common human experience.

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds in words close to each other, usually in a phrase or sentence.

Bildungsroman

A novel or story that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the main character, typically a young person.

Conflict

The struggle between opposing forces, such as characters, ideas, or emotions, that drives the plot of a story.

Connotation

The emotional, cultural, or social associations and meanings attached to a word, beyond its literal definition.

Consonance

The repetition of consonant sounds, especially at the end of words or stressed syllables, to create a harmonious effect.

Denotation

The literal or dictionary definition of a word, without any additional connotation or associated meanings.

Diction

The author's choice and use of words to convey a particular meaning, tone, or style in a literary work.

Foil

A character who contrasts with another character, highlighting their differences and enhancing the reader's understanding of both.

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement or claim used for emphasis or to create a humorous or dramatic effect.

Imagery

The use of vivid sensory details to create a mental image or evoke a specific emotion in the reader's mind.

Internal rhyme

The occurrence of rhyming words within the same line of poetry, enhancing the musicality and rhythm of the verse.

Irony

A literary device that involves a contradiction between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs or is said.

Juxtaposition

The placement of two contrasting ideas, images, or characters side by side to highlight their differences or similarities.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that asserts a comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting a similarity or shared quality.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere or feeling created by a literary work, influencing the reader's perception and response to the text.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms to create a new meaning or effect, often for emphasis or irony.

Personification

A figure of speech that attributes human qualities or characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract concepts.

Point of view

The perspective from which a story is narrated, determining the reader's access to information and their relationship with the characters.

Simile

A figure of speech that compares two things using 'like' or 'as', highlighting a similarity and creating a vivid image in the reader's mind.

Symbol

An object, action, or event that represents a larger concept, idea, or emotion, adding depth and layers of meaning to a literary work.

Theme

The underlying message, central idea, or main topic explored in a literary work, often reflecting universal human experiences.

Tone

The author's or narrator's attitude or perspective towards the subject matter, characters, or audience, influencing the overall mood of the text.