Figurative Language
A comparison using “like” or “as.”
Simile
The message or lesson of a story.
Theme
The main point or most important idea in a nonfiction text.
Central Idea
“Distraught” means this.
deeply upset or worried
A group of lines in a poem, similar to a paragraph.
Stanza
A word that describes a noun.
adjective
Giving human qualities to nonhuman things.
personification
The theme of Brown Girl Dreaming centers around this idea of identity and belonging.
discovering who you are / finding your voice
The central idea of Michaela DePrince can be summed up as this.
following your dreams despite adversity
The suffix “-ness” changes a word into this part of speech.
a noun
The perspective from which a poem is told.
point of view
A word that describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
adverb
A word that imitates a sound, like boom or buzz.
onomatopoeia
Michaela DePrince shows this theme through her perseverance despite challenges.
determination / overcoming obstacles
To find the central idea, look for repeated words, ideas, or details in this part of the text.
the body or main paragraphs
“Gratitude” means this.
thankfulness or appreciation
Poetry often uses rhythm and figurative language, while prose uses this.
sentences and paragraphs
Identify the adjective: The tall boy ran quickly.
tall
A comparison that does not use “like” or “as.”
Metaphor
One way to find the theme is to look at this—what the character learns by the end.
the character’s lesson or growth
Central idea differs from theme because theme is ___________.
a message or moral (not just facts)
“Fathom” means this
to understand something deeply
Brown Girl Dreaming is written in this form.
free verse poetry
Identify the adverb: The tall boy ran quickly.
quickly
Identify the figurative language: “Her smile was sunshine on a cloudy day.”
Metaphor
How is the theme of Bad Boy different from Skinny-Tomboy Kid?
Bad Boy explores self-expression and growing up, while Skinny-Tomboy Kid shows individuality and acceptance.*
What’s the central idea of Brown Girl Dreaming?
growing up as an African American girl and finding her voice through writing
Use “gratitude” in a sentence that shows its meaning.
Answers may vary
Identify whether this line is from poetry or prose: “The wind whispered secrets through the trees.”
poetry
Which part of speech describes how, when, or where something happens?
adverb