Literary Terms

Front

Simile

Back

A comparison of two unlike objects using the words 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Her smile was as bright as the sun.'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

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Nonfiction

Back

Writing that deals with real people, events, and places without changing the facts. Example: A biography of a famous person.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

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Sentence

Back

A group of words that form a complete thought. Example: 'The cat sat on the mat.'

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

Front

Paragraph

Back

A series of sentences relating to and developing one main idea. Example: A paragraph about the importance of recycling.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

Front

Climax

Back

The turning point of a story, where the main conflict reaches its highest intensity. Example: The moment when the hero faces the villain.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Front

Metaphor

Back

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Time is a thief.'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Personification

Back

Attributing human characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas. Example: 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

Front

Theme

Back

The central idea or message in a literary work. Example: The theme of love in 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Front

Conflict

Back

A struggle between opposing forces in a story, which drives the plot. Example: The conflict between good and evil.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Genre

Back

A category of literature characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. Example: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D