Literary Elements
When two characters disagree and their argument changes what happens next in the story, what is that interaction called?
What is conflict?
A passage describes how bees pollinate flowers, make honey, and keep plants alive—but never says why bees are important.
Is the central idea explicit or implied?
What is implied? (Readers infer that bees are important for nature and food.)
This appeal uses facts, numbers, or logic to convince the reader.
Logos
The root “scrib/script” means “to write.” What does describe mean?
What is “to write or tell about something”?
A poem has repeating sounds like “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
What is that called, and how does it affect the poem?
What is alliteration? It adds rhythm and makes the poem fun to read.
This is the sequence of events — what happens first, next, and last — in a story.
What is plot?
These are the facts, examples, and reasons that explain or prove the central idea.
What are supporting details?
This appeal uses feelings to make the audience care or feel sympathy.
Pathos
The prefix “re-” means “again.” What does rebuild mean?
What is “to build again”?
When a poet repeats a line or phrase throughout a poem, what is this called and why might they use it?
What is repetition? To emphasize an idea or emotion.
This word means how a character changes or learns a lesson by the end of the story.
What is character development?
When the author clearly states the main idea in the text, it’s called this.
What is explicit?
An ad says, “4 out of 5 doctors recommend this toothpaste.”
Which rhetorical appeal is used?
Ethos
The suffix “-less” means “without.” What does hopeless mean?
What is “without hope”?
The line “Her heart was a locked door” is an example of which type of figurative language?
What is a metaphor?
When characters solve the main problem and the story comes to an end, it’s called this.
What is the resolution?
When the author does not directly say the main idea and readers must figure it out, it’s called this.
Implied
A commercial shows a sad animal shelter video and says, “You can save a life by donating today.”
Which appeal is used? Why?
What is pathos? (It appeals to emotion to make viewers take action.)
The root “struct” means to build and the prefix “de-” means down or away.
What does destruct mean?
What is “to tear down or destroy something that was built”?
The attitude or feeling a poet shows through word choice and rhythm is called what?
Tone
A character’s actions cause another character to change how they feel. What does this show?
It shows how interactions help characters grow or change.
The passage says, “Exercise keeps your body healthy and your mind strong.”
Is the central idea explicit or implied?
Explicit
This appeal makes the audience trust the speaker by showing credibility or experience.
Ethos
The root “aud” means to hear, and the suffix “-ible” means able to be.
What does audible mean?
What is “able to be heard”?
The feeling or atmosphere a poem creates for the reader is known as what?
What is mood?