ELA Vocabulary Terms

Front

What is the term for a part of the story that is important?

Back

significance

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.W.4.2D

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

Front

What do we call a quality or characteristic, especially of personality, that distinguishes a person?

Back

trait

Tags

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.L.8.6

Front

What is the process of examining something in great detail to understand it better?

Back

analyzing

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.3.10

CCSS.RI.4.10

Front

What term describes the problem or problems characters face in a literary work?

Back

conflict

Tags

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.4.6

Front

What is the series of related events that make up a story called?

Back

plot

Tags

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.W.6.2D

Front

What is the term for the main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work?

Back

theme

Tags

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.4.2D

Front

What do we call the perspective from which a story is told?

Back

point of view

Tags

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

Front

What is the term for the emotional atmosphere of a literary work?

Back

mood

Tags

CCSS.L.6.3B

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

Front

What do we call the use of hints or clues to suggest what will happen later in a story?

Back

foreshadowing

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

What is the term for a recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story?

Back

motif

Tags

CCSS.W.4.2D

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.8.2D