Literary Terms and Concepts

Front

Theme

Back

The point or “life lesson” the author is teaching through his text/selection.

Front

Main Idea

Back

The main thing or central idea that is most important in the text/selection.

Front

Dialogue

Back

Conversation between two or more people.

Front

Chronological Order

Back

The order in which events happen, time order (key words - first, second, then, next, before, finally).

Front

Nonfiction Narrative

Back

A type of writing in which an author tells a true story (e.g., “Wagon Train at Dusk”).

Front

Memoir

Back

A writer tells a true story from a specific period in his or her own life.

Front

Explicit Meaning

Back

Explains exactly in words the meaning of the text.

Front

Implicit Meaning

Back

The meaning is implied and the reader must make inferences and connections to determine the meaning.

Front

Inferencing/Drawing Conclusions

Back

Determine the meaning by using text evidence, clues, prior knowledge, and reasoning.