8th Grade 1st Semester Vocabulary

The reader's emotional reaction, or general feeling, created by the author's tone.

Autobiography that covers a specific time or specific event.

The comparison of two things without using "like" or "as."

The dictionary meaning of a word.

When an author gives human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects

In poetry, a grouped set of lines, usually set off from other sets of lines by a blank line.

The final outcome of a story.  This is also known as the denouement.

People, objects, pictures, etc. that represent something else, often with strong connections.

A related series of events in a literary plot that build toward the climax.

A tiny story that can be used in a speech or article as an example, usually autobiographical.

A feeling of excited uncertainty about what may happen in the future of a story.

Information that supports the central idea; key details that are important to understanding

The method of characterization in which the author simply tells what the character is like.

When the author gives an advance hint of what is to happen later in the story.

The attitude or outlook of a character in a literary work.

Word choices that create visual images in our mind. "Painting a picture with words."

The reason an author writes.

Also called a storyline.  The plan, scheme, or main story of a literary work.

First person and third person are examples of this.

The author's attitude (feelings) toward the subject (central idea)

A psychological struggle within the mind of a literary character.

To reword a text while keeping the original meaning.

Struggle between a literary character and an outside force such as nature or another character.

The speaker means the opposite of what is said.  For example, sarcasm.

Words and phrases that enrich meaning to help convey exactly what the author meant

Words that appeal strongly to the senses

Emotional meaning, positive or negative, that is associated with a word

The comparison of two things using "like" or "as."

The main point of subject of a piece of writing. This IS the main idea.

A situation in which the reader is aware of important details and the characters are not.

An educated guess based on information provided in the text.

An author's indirect reference to a historical even, another piece of literature, a place, etc.

The part of a plot after the climax has been reached and the conflict has been resolved.

A general truth about life or the human experience.The lesson learned from the central idea.

The beginning of the storyline. The author's presentation of setting and background.

When the author reveals the character through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.

The outcome is the opposite of what is expected.