Central Thoughts
The author's central thought, specific to the text
Main Idea
Language that appeals to the senses
Imagery
part of a story where the plot becomes increasingly complicated (leads to the climax)
Rising Action
A reasoned, logical way of demonstrating that the writer's position, belief or conclusion is valid
Argument
Emotion given off by a word
Connotation
The overall opinion, claim, or belief about a subject
Opinion/Claim/Point of View/Argument
How you, the reader, feel
Mood
part of a literary plot that is characterized by diminishing tensions and the resolution of the plot's conflicts and complications; after the climax
Falling Action
the subtle presence of a positive or negative approach towards a topic
Bias
Reference to a statement, person, place, event or thing that is known from literature, history, religion, myth, politics, sports, science, or the arts
Allusion
A lesson about life
Theme
a scene or many scenes that interrupt the present action of the plot to show events that happened at an earlier time
Flashback
turning point in a narrative; moment where the conflict is at its most intense; after the rising action
Climax
Biased and misleading information used to promote a political cause or point-of-view
Propaganda
The author's use of clues that hint at events that will occur later
Foreshadowing
Recurring or prominent idea/concept in a literary work; gives the reader direction towards a theme
Motif
position of the narrator in relation to the story; perspective form from which a speaker recounts a narrative (first person, third person)
Point of View
Struggle between opposing needs, desires, or emotions within a character
Internal Conflict
Ethical appeal to the writer
Ethos
play on the multiple meanings of words or on words that sound alike but with different meanings
Pun
a conclusion drawn from specific information that is used to make a broad statement about a topic or person
Generalization/Inference
The attitude of the author or speaker toward the audience, characters, subject or the work itself.
Tone
a narrative device, often used at the beginning of a work that provides necessary background information about the characters and their circumstances
Exposition/Background Information
Logical appeal or reasoning; the heart of reason
Logos
Various types of writing other than poetry