STAAR Vocabulary - English 1

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The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character

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Characterization is the method used by writers to develop characters and convey their traits, motivations, and complexities.

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The underlying & universal lesson, message, or moral that a writer wants you to understand from his/her work.

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Theme refers to the central idea or message in a literary work, often reflecting on human experiences and societal issues.

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The dictionary definition of a word

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Denotation is the literal or primary meaning of a word, as opposed to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.

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Topic sentence of your entire essay. This should answer the question in the prompt very carefully. This will become a roadmap that you will follow as you write.

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A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, guiding the direction of the writing.

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A form of language use in which writers and speakers convey something other than the literal meaning of their words.

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Figurative language includes various techniques such as metaphors, similes, and personification, used to create more vivid and imaginative expressions.

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The main character in a story, often facing a conflict that drives the plot.

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Protagonist is the central character around whom the story revolves, typically facing challenges and undergoing growth.

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The character or force that opposes the protagonist in a story.

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Antagonist is the character or element that creates conflict for the protagonist, often presenting obstacles that must be overcome.

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The sequence of events in a story, including the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

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Plot is the structured sequence of events that make up a narrative, guiding the reader through the story.

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The emotional association or meaning that a word carries beyond its literal definition.

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Connotation refers to the implied or suggested meanings of a word, which can evoke emotional responses.

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The struggle between opposing forces in a story, which drives the plot and character development.

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Conflict is the central struggle that characters face, which can be internal (within a character) or external (between characters or forces).