English II STAAR Vocabulary

A type of metaphor that compares two things using “like” or “as”

A literary device that refers to a well-known story, event, person, or object

Argument appealing to logic

A scene in a story that occurred before the present time in the story

The big idea the writer is trying to share with the reader

Uses words in some way other than for their literal meanings to add meaning to writing

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Events and incidents relevant to the plot that occur after the climax

The ordered pattern of rhymes at the ends of the lines of a poem or verse

Language that portrays sensory experiences, or experiences of the five senses

A struggle between opposing forces

Assuming what you are attempting to prove

The story teller reveals details of the plot from their own point of view

The reason for writing

The part of an essay or speech that encourages the reader to take action related to the topic

The main or central character of a work of literature

When the audience is aware of the true intentions or outcomes, while the characters are not

The author’s opinion on a certain topic

A unit of rhythm in poetry

The author uses the pronouns “you” and “your” and draws the reader into the story

Any character who highlights traits of another character by having near opposite traits

The catalyst that begins the major conflict

Argument appealing to ethics

When someone says something but means the opposite

Character speaks to audience directly; other characters are not supposed to hear

The statement the author is making

A series of relevant incidents that create suspense, interest, and tension in a narrative

The point in a plot at which the conflict reaches its greatest intensity and is then resolved

Indicates the attitude the writer has about the subject

The opponent or enemy of the main character, or protagonist

The feeling the reader gets from a work of literature

Extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect

When a nonhuman figure or element is given human-like qualities or characteristics

When something happens that’s the opposite of what was expected or intended to happen

When the author compares one thing to another

This is the point of view of an outsider looking at the action

Reveals the faults and flaws of the world around them through their innocence

The very end of the story

Poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter

Argument appealing to emotion