Literary Elements
the central idea or message in a text
What is "Theme"
comparison without using like or as
"What is metaphor"
credibility/trust of the speaker
"What is Ethos"
the central argument of an essay
"What is a thesis statement"
a logical guess based on evidence and reasoning
"What is Inferencing"
struggle between opposing forces (internal vs. external)
What is "Conflict"
comparison using like or as
"What is simile"
appeal to emotions
"What is Pathos"
introduces the main idea of a paragraph
"What is a topic sentence"
the most important point the author makes
"What is central idea"
how an author develops characters
"What is characterization"
giving human qualities to non-human things
"What is personification"
appeal to logic/reason
"What is logos"
words/phrases that connect ideas smoothly
"What is transition words"
facts, examples, or quotes that back up a claim
"What is supporting evidence"
perspective from which the story is told
exaggeration for emphasis
"What is hyperbole"
the art of persuasion
"What is Rhetoric"
ending that restates and reflects on the main idea
"What is conclusion"
the author’s attitude toward the subject
"What is tone"
time and place of a story
language appealing to the five senses
"What is imagery"
the intended readers or listeners
"What is Audience"
improving writing by making changes to content/structure
"What is revision"
the feeling a text creates for the reader
"What is mood"