Figurative and Connotative Meaning
This term refers to words or phrases that do not have their literal meaning but are used to create a deeper or more vivid impression.
What is figurative language?
In the sentence, "The little girl skipped happily across the yard," the word "skipped" helps to create this mood.
What is a joyful mood?
This element of a story refers to the time and place in which the events occur.
What is setting?
This is the sequence of events in a story, usually starting with the introduction and ending with the conclusion.
What is plot?
This is the central idea or message that the author is trying to convey through a story.
What is theme?
When someone says, “He has a heart of stone,” this is an example of this type of figurative language.
What is a metaphor?
The author uses the word "thunderous" in the sentence to describe the applause. This choice impacts the tone by making the scene feel more:
What is intense or exciting?
In a story, the author might describe a stormy night or a sunny beach to help establish this part of the setting.
What is the weather?
When a character faces a challenge, such as a dragon attacking the town, this is typically the part of the plot known as:
What is the conflict?
In a story about teamwork, if the characters repeatedly help each other and work together, the author is likely developing the theme of:
What is cooperation?
The phrase "It's raining cats and dogs" is an example of this type of figurative language, meaning it is raining heavily.
What is an idiom?
The word "desolate" is used to describe the landscape. This choice of word most likely contributes to a tone that is:
What is bleak or sad?
The author uses specific details like "crumbling walls" and "dusty roads" to create a setting that feels:
What is old or abandoned?
The plot begins to build toward its peak when the character makes an important decision or faces a major challenge. This part of the plot is called the:
What is the climax?
In a story where a character learns that greed leads to personal loss, the author is likely developing the theme of:
What is the consequences of greed?
In the sentence, “The wind whispered through the trees,” the word "whispered" has this type of meaning, suggesting something quiet and gentle.
What is connotative meaning?
In the story, the author describes the protagonist’s feelings using phrases like “broken heart” and “shattered dreams.” These choices of words help set this type of tone:
What is sorrowful or tragic?
In a novel, if the author repeatedly mentions a bustling city with lots of noise and movement, this choice of details contributes to the development of the setting by making the reader feel:
What is energetic or chaotic?
In a story, if the author includes small hints about a secret the main character will reveal later, these details contribute to:
What is foreshadowing?
If the author uses the character’s struggle with self-doubt to show how important confidence is, the theme of the story is most likely:
What is self-empowerment or confidence?
This phrase describes a situation where the literal meaning is opposite of what is meant, such as "The fire station burned down."
What is irony?
In the novel, the choice to describe a character’s laugh as “an ominous chuckle” helps to establish this type of atmosphere throughout the scene.
What is suspense or fear?
In a story about a character stranded in the desert, the author includes details about the scorching heat, the dry sand, and the lack of water to contribute to the setting’s:
What is isolation or danger?
In a story where the protagonist learns an important lesson after facing a difficult struggle, the author develops the plot in a way that focuses on this.
What is character development?
In a novel where the main character's journey from youth to adulthood is the focus, the author is developing this universal theme of:
What is coming-of-age?