Diction
What is diction?
A. The overall message or lesson a reader learns from a story.
B. The author’s choice of words and how those words express tone and meaning.
C. The way characters and setting are introduced at the beginning of a story.
B. The author’s choice of words and how those words express tone and meaning. ✅
What is mood?
A. The author’s attitude toward the subject or audience.
B. The main conflict that drives the events of a story.
C. The feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader.
C. The feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader.
What is dialogue?
A character’s spoken words reveal how the character uses language and responds to others.
What is a claim?
A statement an author makes to express their main idea or opinion.
Which sentence most effectively establishes a dramatic mood through vivid diction and sentence structure?
A. Lightning sliced through the sky as the wind roared against the splintering door.
B. The weather was bad, and people were scared inside their homes.
C. A loud sound happened during the storm, making everyone jump.
A. Lightning sliced through the sky as the wind roared against the splintering door.
What is the connotative meaning of a word?
A. The feelings or emotions a word carries beyond its dictionary definition.
B. The exact, dictionary definition of a word.
C. The way an author organizes words to create rhythm and flow.
A. The feelings or emotions a word carries beyond its dictionary definition.
What is syntax?
the way words are organized into sentences and phrases. Sentences can be short and simple or long and more complex. The type, length, and rhythm of sentences can affect mood.
What is direct characterization?
The writer tells the reader what the character is like. The reader does not need to interpret what the writer says.
Question: Which of the following best demonstrates credible and effective evidence in an argumentative essay?
A. A statement based on personal belief that strongly supports the writer’s position.
B. A direct quotation from a peer’s opinion that aligns with the writer’s claim.
C. Data or research findings from a reliable source that directly support the argument’s reasoning.
C. Data or research findings from a reliable source that directly support the argument’s reasoning.
What is theme?
Theme is the central message, lesson, or insight about life that a story or movie reveals through its characters, conflicts, and events.
It’s what the story says about life or human nature — not just what happens. A complete sentence and a universal statement.
What is the denotative meaning of a word?
The denotative meaning is the literal meaning found in the dictionary
What mood does this sentence create? How does it make you feel as a reader?
Sentence: The old house creaked and groaned as the wind howled through the empty halls.
This sentence has words like "creaked," "groaned," and "howled," which suggest a spooky or eerie mood, encouraging students to think about how word choice affects the mood.
Question: Which of the following best shows an example of internal monologue?
A. “I should have said something,” Maya thought, replaying the argument in her mind as she walked home.
B. Maya slammed her locker shut and muttered, “Whatever, it doesn’t even matter.”
C. The hallway buzzed with voices and laughter as Maya pushed through the crowd, her jaw tight and eyes fixed ahead.
A. “I should have said something,” Maya thought, replaying the argument in her mind as she walked home.
What is a Call to Action?
Tie all of your thoughts together. Explain what your reader should do now.
Question: Which of the following is an example of direct characterization?
A. Maria was generous and always willing to help others, even when it wasn’t convenient.
B. Maria handed her lunch to the new student and smiled as she walked away.
C. The wind howled outside as Maria sat alone, thinking about what she had done.
A. Maria was generous and always willing to help others, even when it wasn’t convenient.
How is formal diction different from informal diction?
With friends, you’d use informal diction – relaxed words, slang, and contractions. With teachers, you’d use formal diction – polite, complete sentences, and respectful vocabulary.
How does syntax affect a reader’s understanding of a text?
A. It determines the order and structure of sentences, which can impact tone and emphasis.
B. It provides the main idea or theme that the author wants to communicate.
C. It describes the emotional associations a word carries beyond its dictionary meaning.
A. It determines the order and structure of sentences, which can impact tone and emphasis.
What is indirect characterization?
The writer provides clues as to what the character is like through the character’s dialogue, thoughts, and actions.
If an author says, “Homework should be banned,” this is an example of?
Claim Statement
Which statement best reflects the theme of the passage below?
After moving to a new city, Lila spent weeks sitting alone at lunch. When she finally introduced herself to a group, they welcomed her easily, and she realized the isolation she felt had mostly come from her own fear of rejection.
A. Making friends is easy if you try hard enough.
B. Fear and insecurity often prevent people from finding the connection they seek.
C. People are usually kinder than they seem at first.
B. Fear and insecurity often prevent people from finding the connection they seek.
Is this an example of informal or formal diction? How?
Ex. “Hey, what’s up? You wanna hang out later? I’m totally down if you are!”
Informal, it creates a relaxed and conversational tone.
After reading a story filled with short, choppy sentences and stormy imagery, what mood is most likely created?
A. Calm and peaceful
B. Tense and anxious
C. Joyful and energetic
B. Tense and anxious
Is this sentence an example of direct or indirect characterization? Why?
Sentence: Riley raced to the drama room when she heard the cast list had finally been posted.
Indirect characterization
What is the purpose of the counterclaim in an essay?
To acknowledge an opposing viewpoint and show why it is less convincing.
If your mood right now were a movie title, what would it be?
Answers vary (teacher decides if accurate)