ELA Terms Flashcards

Front

The use of clues or hints to suggest events that will happen later in the story. Used to build suspense in the reader.

Back

Foreshadowing

Front

When a person, place, thing, or event has meaning in itself and stands for something beyond itself as well. Example: The bald eagle is a symbol for the United States.

Back

Symbolism

Front

An expression strange to a particular language that cannot be understood just by knowing the meanings of the words in the expression. Example: “hold your tongue” means “do not speak.”

Back

Idiom

Front

A comparison of the similar aspects of two different things. Example: fingers : hands :: toes : feet; or fingers are to hands as toes are to feet.

Back

Analogy

Front

The attitude a writer takes toward his or her subjects, characters, and audience. Examples: humorous, passionate, sincere, sarcastic, etc.

Back

Tone

Front

A comparison between two unlike things in which one thing is said to be another. Do NOT use “like” or “as.” Example: Life’s journey is a bicycle ride.

Back

Metaphor

Front

A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.” Example: The children coming in from recess were as loud as a herd of elephants.

Back

Simile

Front

The general idea, moral, or lesson about life in a work of literature.

The theme is universal--not specific to one text.

Back

Theme

Front

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is spoken of as if it has human characteristics. Example: The tree branches waved at the people walking by them.

Back

Personification

Front

Overstating something usually for the purpose of creating a comic effect. Example: I was so hungry I ate the whole refrigerator.

Back

Exaggeration