Ultimate STAAR Reading Review

conversations between or among characters

fiction that contains magical elements such as nonexistent worlds (super-humans,animals)

a personal attack on a person, rather than his ideas or policies

the central idea or truth a story reveals about life (message or lesson learned)

the units of action in a play

The literal meaning of the words is not the meaning of the expression.

interrupting the plot of the story to recreate an incident of earlier time

a folktale that is based on a real person or event but cannot be proven

Comparison of two unlike thing where one is used to designate the other (one IS the other)

a character who actively opposes the protagonist of a fictional text

The story or the piece of writing is from the perspective of "you"

major and minor characters listed alongside a brief description of roles

the appearance of the words of a poem on the page

using a hyperbole to win an argument or persuade an audience

the manipulation of sound (music or sound effects) for theatre

a brief account of something containing the main idea of the beginning, middle and end

an ending to a chapter, section, or book that leaves the reader in suspense

hidden messages in media; not so obvious; have to be inferred

Narrator tells the story from the viewpoint of ONE character in the story.

states a person's belief, feeling, or thoughts; cannot be proven

a genre of fiction that is set in the modern present and has believable characters and plot.

Language that provides a sensory experience, using sight, smell, taste, touch and sound

taking something specific and applying it more broadly

A character within the story retells his or her own experiences.

media messages that are obvious, clear, and detailed; leaves no room for interpretation

Narrator has unlimited knowledge and can describe EVERY character's thoughts behaviors.

the beat created by the sounds of the words in a poem

the writer directly states the character's traits

a genre of fiction that is set in the past and involves real people, places, or events

small moveable items that the actors use to make actions look real

The author wants you to do, buy, or believe something.

Occurs when the audience knows something that someone in the story doesn't

Something takes place that is the opposite of what we expect to happen.

Literary element that involves a contradiction or contrast of some kind.

long speech by one single character (private thoughts)

the manipulation of light for theatre

The author's attitude towards the subject.

Comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as"

conflicts take place between a character and an outside force

the struggle between the character and his feelings or conscience

a type of literature that expresses ideas or feelings in a specific form

describes scenery and how characters speak; found in [ ]

a character struggles against the ideals of his community (government, expectations, norms)

The use of a word or object that represents a deeper meaning than the words themselves.

nonfiction writing that is about a specific topic

the author provides readers with chronological events or steps in a procedure

hints or clues suggesting what may happen later in a story

a conclusion you draw about something that is not directly stated

a folktale that has magical forces and includes improbable events that lead to a happy ending

Combines two usually contradictory terms.

a character struggles against (weather, animals or epidemic)

the author discusses similarities and differences between people, things, concepts, or ideas

The narrator remains a detached observer; lets the reader know only what is seen and heard.

An introduction that provides necessary details about characters and setting.

a group of words together on one line of a poem

a genre of fiction that is set in the future and might involve (outer space or time travel)

two or more characters are involved in a mental or physical struggle

the anxiety a reader feels about what may happen in the story

the turning point of the story where the problem or conflict reaches its peak

a fictional story that revolves around discovering secrets or solving crimes.

A famous reference

a folktale that is considered sacred and explains how things came to be (often about gods)

non-fiction writing that is about a real person

occurs when an author uses expert opinion/authority instead of evidence to persuade an audience

the conclusion to the story that reveals the solution to the conflict or problem

The author wants to tell you how to do something or how something works.

a long poem, part of ancient oral history, narrating the deeds of a hero or legendary figure

A non-living thing given human qualities or characteristics.

a statement many people assume to be true, but may or may not be true

The author provides several details of something to give the reader a mental picture.

using emotions to distract the audience

The author wants to give you information.

The part of the story that develops the conflict through a series of events that build interest

the specific literal meaning of a word

The overall feelings or emotions created in the reader.

The author wants to amuse you or for you to enjoy the writing.

false ideas or beliefs used to win an argument

an inaccurate, inappropriate, or misleading comparison between two things

The speaker or character says something that contradicts what he/she actually means.

the leading character or one of the main characters in a fictional text

An intentional exaggeration or overstatement, often used for emphasis

the sections of the stage oriented from the perspective of the performer to the audience

The process by which the author creates and develops the characters.

words that sound alike because the share the same ending vowel and consonant sound

conflict that takes place within a character's mind or heart

divisions of the play, usually by place and time

the author describes an event or several events and the events that follow

Consonant or vowel sounds repeated at the beginnings of words.

the events after the climax that leads to the resolution

a folktale that often teaches a moral or lesson using animal characters

the author gives information about a problem and explains one or more solutions.

the writer reveals the character's traits through actions, words, thoughts of the characters

can be proven with data, observations, and reliable sources

Words that imitate the sounds that they are naming.

when you suggest that all members of a group are exactly the same

nonfiction writing about a real person written by himself or herself

a group of lines arranged together

when you place an idea, thing, or action into ONE category even if it doesn't belong

an emotional or social association with a word given meaning beyond the literal meaning

a pattern of rhyming words or sounds