Literary Terms
Poetry
Drama
Non-Fiction/Fiction
STAAR Strategies
100

When someone says one thing but actually means the opposite

verbal irony

100

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

alliteration

100

A long speech by one character on stage by himself.

monologue

100

The use of a person, place, thing or event that stands for itself and represents some other meaning, as well. Ex: The American flag or a white dove.

Symbolism

100

What is the order you must complete the test?

Any order you want - You can navigate through the test as you like.

200

Their friendship was so close they were like peas in a pod.

simile

200

Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme

couplet

200

A short comment to the side, which other characters supposedly "do not hear."

aside

200

The position statement of an expository essay.

thesis statement

200

When you do not know the answer, what should you do?

Try to eliminate at least 2 answers you know are wrong.

300

Don't make me repeat myself for the 1000th time!

hyperbole

300
A group of consecutive lines in a poem that form a single unit.
Stanza
300
Instructions written in a play that indicate actions, movements, and emotions an actor should be expressing throughout. Usually in brackets. Ex: [Sandra is looking at Tom. She is wearing a brown hat, and is holding Tom's hand. Both are conversing in a park.] Sandra: Thanks for the wonderful suprise. Tom: [smiles] It is because I love you darling.
Stage Directions
300

The central message or meaning that the author tries to convey in a piece of literature that relates to everyday life or human experiences. Ex: Love conquers all

Theme

300

What does RACES stand for?

Restate, Answer, Cite Evidence, Explain how your evidence supports your answer, and Sum up

400
The sun smiled over the city on this hot & scorching summer day. What type or type of figurative language might this be?
Imagery and Personification
400
Rhyming words that are at the end of their respective lines. What we typically think of as a normal rhyme in a poem.
End Rhyme
400
A play is mostly written using what type of writing?
Dialogue
400

The action or sequence of events in a story. Usually contains 5 basic elements: Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

Plot Structure

400

When you make an inference, you use both ____ and ____.

Evidence in the text / Prior knowledge (what you know)

500

A technique in which an author gives clues about something that will happen later in the story.

Foreshadowing

500

Words or phrases that appeal to one or more of the five senses. Look, feel, sound, taste, and smell. The sick sweet smell of the red roses was all I could remember.

figurative language / imagery

500
A term when a character expresses his or her inner thoughts to the audience and does not intend for other to listen.
Soliloquy
500

You create a thesis statement by...

Restating and answering the question in the prompt

500

This sentence is a run-on. What is it missing?

Albert left his wallet in the cafeteria and some honest person picked it up and turned it in at the office.

a comma after cafeteria

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