english definitions

Novel

A long, written story with characters and a plot (usually fiction).

Short Story

A brief fictional story, shorter than a novel, often focusing on one event or character.

Poetry

A type of writing that uses rhythm, style, and emotion to express ideas or feelings.

Essay

A short piece of nonfiction writing where the author discusses an idea or argument.

Thesis Statement

A sentence that clearly says what your essay is about and what you’re arguing.

Outline

A basic plan or structure for your essay that organizes your main points.

Close Reading

Carefully reading a text to notice details like language, structure, and meaning.

Epigraph

A short quote or phrase at the start of a book or chapter that suggests its theme.

Anaphora

Repeating the same word or phrase at the beginning of lines or sentences for emphasis.

Metafiction

A story that talks about itself as a story, reminding you that it’s fiction.

Speculative Fiction

A broad type of fiction that includes sci-fi, fantasy, and imagined futures.

Dystopia

A type of story set in a bad or scary future world, often to warn us about real issues.

Manifesto

A written public statement of beliefs or goals, often political or artistic.

Science

A way of learning about the world by observing, experimenting, and testing ideas.

A Brief History of Science

A quick look at how science has changed and developed over time.

From the Moon to the Earth & Fetuses

Likely a presentation showing how science or ideas changed how we view space and human life.

Epistemology

The study of knowledge — how we know what we know.

Empiricism

The idea that we gain knowledge through our senses and experiences (like seeing or touching).

Plagiarism

Copying someone else’s work or ideas and pretending they are your own. It’s not allowed.