Literary Terms
The way a text feels; the atmosphere
Define theme
universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature
Identify the subject in this sentence: The dog chased the ball.
The dog
My father is as wise as an owl.
Simile
The first thing to do when you receive a work to read
Preview the questions and answer choices
The author's attitude towards a subject; the way something is said
Tone
What is a theme in The House on Mango Street?
Identity and/or belonging
Identify the predicate/verb in this sentence: Taylor Swift writes her own music and lyrics.
Writes
The rain kissed the earth.
Personification
What is the point of previewing the questions and answer choices?
To notice trends and patterns; provide a guide when reading
Vivid, descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the five senses
Imagery
Which theme in Of Mice and Men is reflected in the relationship between George and Lennie?
friendship/family; loneliness
The name for the type of clause for a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence
Independent Clause
I've been waiting a million years.
Hyperbole
The two things you should ask yourself after reading poetry or fiction
What is the subject? What is the tone?
Placing two very different things side by side to emphasize differences between two things
Juxtaposition
What theme is reflected in the banquet scene in Macbeth, specifically through the appearance of Banquo's ghost (Act 3, Scene 4)?
Guilt and its psychological consequences
Identify the dependent clause in this sentence: Shelly had fun on the beach until it started raining.
Until it started raining.
"Until then I am a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor."
Metaphor
The two things you should ask yourself after reading nonfiction
What is the thesis/argument? What is their purpose?
A question that is not meant to be answered, but rather to make you think
Rhetorical Question
How does the American Dream function as a theme in Of Mice and Men?
It highlights the unattainability of dreams for marginalized individuals during the Great Depression.
Correct the run-on with a semicolon: I love to read it helps me relax.
I love to read; it helps me relax.
"Four skinny trees with skinny necks and pointy elbows like mine."
Personification
The way to figure out the meaning of a word if you don't know the definition
Go back into the text and find it. Use context clues to help you make an educated guess!