PEAKS week 1 (ELA)

Evidence

Facts, statistics, studies, or anecdotes used to prove a claim is true

Exaggeration

Overstating something for effect

Extended Metaphor

A comparison that is continued over the course of a text with multiple references

False Dilemma

A logical fallacy that occurs when someone presents only two options or sides to an issue, when there are actually more possibilities

Figurative Language

Language that goes beyond the literal meaning of the words

Examples: metaphor, simile, symbolism, personification, hyperbole

Finding

A conclusion about your data or survey results

Flat Character

An uncomplicated character who remains the same and possesses one or two defining personality traits

Foil

A character who has a different or opposite personality from a major character (often the protagonist) and is used to point out or highlight specific traits of the major character

Foreshadowing

Details authors provide that hint at an event that will happen later in the story

Often builds suspense and curiosity for readers

Frame Narrative

A story that frames, or surrounds, another story. The outer narrative usually develops the themes of the inner narrative(s)

Free Verse

Poems without a clear rhyme scheme or traditional form

Hashtag

A hash symbol, followed by a keyword, that is used in social media to connect similar content

Hyperbole

An extreme exaggeration used to emphasize a point or convey an emotion

Example: That train ride took forever.

Imagery

Vivid description of how something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or feels

Example: “When the sun is bright on the upland slopes; / When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass.” — Paul Laurence Dunbar, “Sympathy”

Images

A visual representation of an idea or message

In-Text Citation

Naming the source of data or research in the sentence it is used

Infographic

A collection of images, facts, and short text that provides basic, easily understood information about a topic

Irony

A literary device that plays on the expectations of the reader/audience

Situational Irony: the outcome of an action or situation is the opposite of what is expected

Verbal Irony: words are used to convey a message opposite to their usual meaning

Dramatic Irony: the audience/reader knows something that the characters do not

Introductory Paragraph

The first paragraph in an essay that introduces the essay topic and states the thesis

Juxtaposition

A literary technique where two ideas are placed next to each other to reveal a contrast

Examples: good and evil, war and peace, justice and revenge

Key Terms

Important words or phrases necessary to understand a central idea or argument

Line

In a poem, a group of words arranged in a row

Line Break

In a poem, the end of one line and the start of the next

Local Research

Conducting or giving a survey to gather a school or community’s opinion on a topic

Logical Fallacy

A flawed argument that uses incorrect or irrelevant information to reach a conclusion

Logos

When a speaker uses reasons and facts to get their audience to think logically

Medium

The way information is shared

Such as print, digital, or video

Memoir

An author’s narrative about their own personal experiences

Message

A central idea communicated to an audience

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two things to suggest a likeness

Example: “Juliet is the sun.” — William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Monologue

A long speech delivered by one character directly to the audience or other characters that reveals a character’s inner conflicts and point of view

Mood

The atmosphere and the emotion in a text; refers to the emotion an author is trying to make their audience feel, like worry, fear, excitement, suspense, or joy

Narrative Point of View

The viewpoint a story is told from

Such as first, second, or third person point of view

Near Rhyme

A type of rhyme formed by words with similar but not identical sounds: either the vowel sounds are identical while the consonants are different, or vice versa

Examples: time and mine; last and taste

Objective

Neutral, without any personal opinions or beliefs

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms for effect

Parallel Structure

Using the same pattern of words, phrases, and tense in a sentence

Pathos

When a speaker tries to get their audience to feel a particular emotion to connect with them

Personal Anecdote

A brief story about a personal experience

Personification

A figure of speech where non-human things are given human traits, emotions, or actions

Perspective

One way of viewing an event or issue

Pitch

A short, persuasive message intended to sell or gain approval

Plot

The events of a story

Point of View

A person or character’s perspective on a topic