Go Figure
Parts of an Essay
Sense it!
Text Structure
Plot the Course
100

This type of figurative language compares two things using the words like or as.

Answer: What is a simile?

100

This part of the essay comes at the beginning and introduces the topic while grabbing the reader’s attention.

What is the introduction?

100

This type of sensory language helps readers see images in their minds, like when an author describes bright colors or dark clouds.

Answer: What is visual?

100

This text structure shows events in the order they happened and often uses signal words like first, next, and finally.

Answer: What is chronological order?

100

This is the beginning of a story where the reader is introduced to the characters, setting, and basic situation.

Answer: What is the exposition?

200

This type of figurative language compares two things directly without using like or as.

Answer: What is a metaphor?

200

This sentence usually towards the middle of the introduction and clearly states the main idea or claim of the essay.

What is a claim or thesis statement?

200

When a writer describes sounds like whispers, thunder, or the crunch of leaves, they are using this type of sensory language.

Answer: What is auditory?

200

This structure explains a problem and then describes ways the problem can be solved.

Answer: What is problem and solution?

200

This is the problem or struggle that drives the story and creates tension for the characters.

Answer: What is the conflict?

300

This device gives human qualities to animals, objects, or ideas, like when the wind “whispers” through the trees.

Answer: What is personification?

300

These paragraphs make up the middle of the essay and contain the main ideas, evidence, and explanations.

Answer: What are body paragraphs?

300

Descriptions like “the rough bark of the tree” or “the icy wind against my skin” use this type of sensory language.

Answer: What is tactile?

300

This structure explains how one event leads to another and often uses signal words like because, since, or as a result.

Answer: What is cause and effect?

300

This is the turning point of the story and the moment of greatest tension or excitement.

Answer: What is the climax?

400

This figurative language uses words that imitate real sounds, such as buzz, bang, or crash.

Answer: What is onomatopoeia?

400

This sentence usually appears at the beginning of a body paragraph and tells the reader the main idea of that paragraph.

Answer: What is a topic sentence?

400

When an author describes smells such as fresh bread baking or smoke in the air, they are using this type of imagery.

Answer: What is olfactory?

400

This structure shows how two or more things are similar and different. Signal words include both, however, and on the other hand.

Answer: What is compare and contrast?

400

This part of the story includes events that build suspense and lead up to the most exciting moment.

Answer: What is the rising action?

500

This device repeats the same beginning sound in nearby words, such as wild winds whipped.

Answer: What is alliteration?

500

This final part of the essay restates the main idea and leaves the reader with a closing thought.

Answer: What is the conclusion?

500

If a writer describes the sweet taste of chocolate or the sour bite of a lemon, they are using this type of sensory language.

Answer: What is gustatory?

500

An article explains the problem of plastic pollution in oceans and then describes ways people can reduce plastic waste.
What text structure is used?

Answer: What is problem and solution?

500

This final part of the plot shows how the conflict is solved and how the story ends.

Answer: What is the resolution?