Literary Genres
This genre blends realistic settings with magical elements that are treated as normal.
What is magical realism?
This figure of speech compares two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
What is a simile?
Name one helping verb in English.
am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, has, have, had, do, does, did, shall, will, should, would, may, might, must, can, could.
What does “benevolent” mean?
Kind and generous.
“The sun smiled on the meadow.” What is the tone?
Cheerful or optimistic.
This genre often features gloomy settings, supernatural elements, and explores human fears.
What is gothic literature?
When a text references another work, historical event, or famous person, it uses this device.
What is an allusion?
In the sentence “She ran under the bridge,” identify the preposition.
What is under?
In the sentence, "The beauty of a sunset is ephemeral." what does the word ephemeral mean?
lasting only a short time.
If a poem describes “shadows creeping” and “cold winds,” what mood is suggested?
Foreboding or ominous.
Identify the genre of a novel that focuses on everyday life and ordinary characters without exaggeration, often the negatives and hardships.
What is realism?
“The wind whispered through the trees.” Which convention is used?
What is personification?
Classify the adjective in “The sky is bright blue.”
What is a descriptive adjective?
Which word means “to make something worse”: ameliorate or exacerbate?
exacerbate
Infer the speaker’s attitude: “I suppose the world will keep spinning, indifferent to my woes.”
Resigned or cynical.
Compare romance and fantasy: Which genre typically emphasizes emotional relationships over world-building?
What is romance?
Explain how imagery can affect tone in poetry.
Imagery creates sensory experiences that influence mood and emotional response.
Explain the role of the understood you in the command “Close the door.”
The subject “you” is implied, making it an imperative sentence.
Explain the difference between “ambiguous” and “vague."
Ambiguous means having multiple interpretations; vague means lacking clarity.
Explain how word choice in “The silence was deafening” creates irony.
Silence cannot literally be loud; the phrase emphasizes overwhelming quiet.
A story includes dragons, magic systems, and a hero’s quest. Explain why this fits fantasy rather than magical realism.
Because fantasy creates entirely separate worlds with magical laws, while magical realism integrates magic into realistic settings.
Why might an author use hyperbole in a persuasive speech?
To emphasize a point dramatically and evoke strong emotions.
Why are adverbs important in narrative writing?
They modify verbs/adjectives to add detail, tone, and precision.
Why might an author choose the word “melancholy” instead of “sad”?
It conveys a deeper, more reflective emotional tone.
A passage uses harsh consonants and dark imagery. What effect does this have on tone?
It creates tension and a sense of menace.