Genres
Literary Terms
Parts of a Story
Theme
100

What is another way to say genre?

category, type (or something similar)

100

Makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things, NOT using the terms "like" or "as"

What is Metaphor

100
The point of the highest action or tension in a story.
What is Climax
100

What is theme?

The message, lesson, or morale of a story

200

This genre of writing is TRUE

Nonfiction

200

This comparison DOES use like/as

Simile

200
The part of the story when the conflict is developing and events build toward the climax.
What is Rising Action
200

What is the theme?

In his sophomore year of high school, basketball legend Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play. The coach cut Jordan from the team. Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. The next year, Jordan made the varsity squad. He averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.

 Never give up; persistence pays off

300

This genre of writing is made up/false

Fiction

300

Simile or metaphor? 

"The rosebuds on his face"

Metaphor

300
Part of the story that follows the climax and shows the result of the important action that happened at the climax.
What is Falling Action
300

What is the theme?

Mr. Pig and Mr. Dog relaxing at the food court of the animal shopping mall. Mr. Pig was eating a huge feast of pizza and drinking a large jug of fruit punch. Mr. Dog was watching him eat. "Hey, Mr. Pig. If you give me a slice of your pizza, I'll let you have the next bone I find." Mr. Pig declined, even though it hurt his stomach to eat the last three slices of pizza. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dog," Mr. Pig said between grunts, "but I paid for this pizza and it's all mine." Mr. Dog sighed and waited for Mr. Pig to finish. Then they left the animal mall together. On the way out, a hunter spotted them and gave chase. Mr. Pig normally could have escaped the hunter, but he was weighed down by the large meal. Mr. Pig collapsed and the hunter seized him. Mr. Dog easily escaped. Later that night, Mr. Dog returned to the scene. He caught the scent of something delicious and began digging around a trashcan. He found a large ham bone with lots of meat and marrow still stuck to it. Mr. Dog happily ate.

It is better to share; don't be greedy

400

This genre of writing is based on a real event but has made-up characters.

Historical fiction

400

Simile or metaphor?

"The dew glistened like diamonds"

Simile

400
Beginning of the story that explains the setting and the important characters are introduced.
What is Exposition
400

What is the theme:

When Katie Clean invited Messy Missy to her house to work on their biology project, she had no idea what a visit from Messy Missy entailed. First of all, it was raining and Messy Missy neither bothered to take her boots off nor thoroughly wiped them on the doormat. Then Messy Missy ate a bag of hot chips on Katie Clean’s white bedspread without asking. Messy Missy is a sloppy eater too, so hot chip powder got all over the bedspread. Katie Clean tried to be polite and ignore Messy Missy’s sloppy behavior. But then Messy Missy threw her chip wrapper on the floor. Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy to leave. The next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself. After Katie explained the situation, the teacher allowed Katie to work alone. Messy Missy almost finished the assignment alone, but she spilled grape soda all over it and quit.

Respect others' property; choose your partners carefully
500

This genre takes place in the future and often involves technolgy

Science fiction (Sci Fi)

500

Adjective or adverb?

She walked QUICKLY to the door

Adverb

500
The part of the story when all questions are solved.
What is Resolution
500

What is the theme?

Tammy and Sammy were both students in Mr. Morton’s reading class. Mr. Morton wasn’t too strict about deadlines, and Sammy took advantage of that. Sammy did all his homework in his other classes. But he never bothered to complete Mr. Morton’s reading assignments. He figured that he could complete them later. Tammy, on the other hand, completed each assignment Mr. Morton had assigned every night. She had to stay up a little later, but she knew that reading was the most important subject. She knew that if she learned to read well, then she could teach herself anything. So she always worked hard in her reading class. When the end of the quarter came, Tammy and Sammy had both planned on going to the Magic Castle amusement park. They were both so excited. But then Mr. Morton called Sammy’s mother to report Sammy's grade. She grounded Sammy and that weekend was horrible for him. He stayed up until 2:00 AM each night, yet he still couldn’t complete all the assignments. Meanwhile, Tammy had a great time eating pizza at Enchanted Castle. After that she stayed up late and watched movies. She enjoyed her weekend free of stress and pressure. At the end of the quarter, Sammy was lucky to squeak by with a C minus. Tammy earned an A. Yet, Sammy still hasn’t learned his lesson. He may not complete this activity either.

It is better to do things right the first time; work hard, play hard

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