ELA 8 Key Terms

the reason an author writes a text

an underlying reason for doing something

figure of speech explicitly comparing two things (uses "like" or "as")

the leading or main character

introduces the characters, setting, and conflict of a story

A particular way of looking at or thinking about something; point of view

descriptions of looks, dialogue, comments, thoughts, and actions

conversation between two or more people

a brief statement/retelling of the main points of something

when the meaning of something is unclear

an implied comparison between two otherwise unlike things (without using like or as)

the sequence of events in a story, from beginning to end

a writer's position or opinion on a subject

to make a logical guess based on the facts provided and your own background knowledge

to find differences

a character who changes over time

the repeated use of the same word or phrase; often used to emphasize ideas

to break down and examine, then explain the overall meaning/significance

a problem, internal or external, often faced by the main character of a story

descriptive language that appeals to the senses

an indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work

the end of the story

a literary device that an author uses to hint at what will happen next

A claim/conclusion is __ if it is logically connected to and sufficiently supported by evidence

the main message or universal idea that is conveyed in a text

the point of major tension or excitement in a story; turning point

examine something in order to judge its value or worth

a statement of belief based on facts, evidence, and reasoning/the summary of these facts

to find similarities

an object that stands for something else

a specific piece of information that is offered to support a claim

a true life story with a focus on personal experiences and observations