Literary Terms
What is a metaphor?
A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using like or as
What part of speech is the word quickly in this sentence: She ran quickly?
Adverb
What is a thesis statement?
A sentence that clearly expresses the main idea or argument of an essay.
What is a common theme in dystopian literature like 1984 or The Hunger Games?
The dangers of totalitarian government and loss of individual freedom.
What is the main idea of the passage?
The central point or most important concept the author wants to convey.
Define dramatic irony.
When the audience knows something the characters do not, creating tension or humor.
Identify the subject and verb: Neither of the boys has done his homework.
Subject: Neither; Verb: has done
What should a strong topic sentence do?
Introduce the main idea of the paragraph and connect to the thesis.
What theme is central to stories that explore characters who struggle with self-identity?
The search for identity or self-discovery.
Define inference and give an example.
A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning. Ex: Seeing smoke, you infer there’s fire.
What is the difference between theme and main idea?
Theme is the deeper message or life lesson; main idea is what the text is mostly about.
What is a dangling modifier?
A descriptive word or phrase that doesn’t clearly refer to the word its modifying.
Name 3 elements that should be included in a conclusion paragraph.
Restated thesis, summary of key points, final thought/closing sentence.
How is the theme of power and corruption shown in literature? Give an example.
Power often leads to corruption; ex: Napoleon in Animal Farm becomes a dictator.
What should you look for in a passage to identify tone?
Word choice, sentence structure, and the author’s attitude toward the subject.
What is a foil character? Give an example.
A character who contrasts with another to highlight traits. Ex: Draco Malfoy vs. Harry Potter.
Correct the error: Its going to be a long night.
Correction: It’s going to be a long night.
What does it mean to cite a source in MLA format?
To give credit using the author’s last name and page number in parentheses.
What theme is explored when a character resists society’s rules or norms?
Individual vs. society or rebellion.
How can context clues help you figure out the meaning of a word?
Clues in surrounding text help define unfamiliar words through examples or synonyms.
Define allegory
A story with a hidden political, moral, or spiritual meaning.
What is the difference between who and whom? Give an example.
“Who” is the subject, “whom” is the object. Ex: Who is going? vs. To whom did you speak?
Explain what a counterclaim is and how to respond to one.
A counterclaim is the opposing viewpoint; respond by refuting it with evidence or logic.
What is a theme in coming-of-age stories, also called bildungsromans?
Growing up, personal growth, and the journey from innocence to maturity.
Read this short passage and answer: What is the author’s purpose?
(https://www.shortstoriestoentertain.com/2025/06/rot-and-woodworm.html?m=1)
To entertain