English 10 Honors Final Exam Study Guide

parallel plots

two simultaneous sequences

acts and scenes

the basic divisions of drama; a drama may consist of one or more acts, divided into scenes

the script

text of the play that contains dialogue and stage directions; stage directions are notes telling how the work is to be performed or staged; directions ate often printed in italics and art set off in brackets; stage directions often tell the actor'/actress how to stay in line or where to stand

sets

represent where the scene is set; this may include scenery and backdrops

props

moveable objects, like a spear, that the actors use onstage

tragedy

shows the downfall of the tragic hero, or main character; in ancient Greek drama, the hero was an outstanding person brought down by a tragic flaw, a defect that brings about the demise of the character; tragedy stresses human greatness in facing inescapable fate

catharsis

calming release of tension in the audience

comedy

ends happily after an amusing series of predicaments; comedy stresses human faults and weakness of society

essay

examines and discusses a topic, often presenting the writer’s viewpoints; typically explore ideas and opinions

speech

presents a topic and often marks a specific occasion

(some) style

the distinctive way an author uses language; many factors contribute to an author’s ____, including level of formality, use of figurative language, word choice, sentence patterns, and methods of organization

(turtles) tone

the author’s attitude toward both the subject and the audience; ____ can be figured out through word choice and details; ____ is often described through a single adjective

(push) perspective

the viewpoint or opinion the author expresses; bias occurs when the presentation of a viewpoint is one-sided and the writer distorts facts or uses emotional language to manipulate the audience

(people) purpose

the author’s reason for writing or speaking; common ____ include: to inform, to persuade, to entertain

narrative essay

tells the story of events or experiences

descriptive essay

creates an impression about a person, an object, or an experience

expository essay

provides information, explores ideas, or explains a process

persuasive essay

attempts to convince readers to take a course of action or adopt the writer’s position on the issue

anaphora

a rhetorical device that consists of repeating a sequence of words at the beginnings of neighboring clauses, thereby lending them emphasis

epistrophe

repeating words at the clauses’ ends

reflective essay

conveys the writer’s thoughts and feelings about a personal experience or an idea; the speaker usually reflects back on a memory and makes a sound conclusion or judgment

address

a formal, prepared speech that is usually delivered by someone of importance

talk

an informal speech delivered in a conversational style

oration

an eloquent speech given on a formal occasion

lecture

a prepared speech that informs or instructs an audience