TKAM Unit Vocabulary

Front

The central message, lesson, or insight about life that a story explores

Back

Theme

Front

An author’s choice of words and writing style that helps create tone, mood, and meaning.

Back

Diction

Front

A recurring element, such as an image, symbol, phrase, or idea that appears throughout a story.

Back

Motif

Front

This kind of narrator tells the story truthfully and accurately, allowing readers to trust their version of events.

The other kind distorts the truth because of bias, limited knowledge, or personal flaws.

Back

Reliable Narrator, Unreliable Narrator

Front

The belief that one’s own culture, race, or way of life is superior to others.

Back

Ethnocentrism

Front

These characters do not change significantly throughout a story; their beliefs and personalities remain the same.

Back

Static Characters

Front

These characters undergo major changes in personality, understanding, or outlook as a result of the story’s events.

Back

Dynamic Characters

Front

A severe economic crisis that began in 1929 and lasted through much of the 1930s. It caused widespread unemployment, poverty, and hardship across the United States and influenced many social and cultural issues of the time.

Back

The Great Depression

Front

The belief that one race is superior or inferior to another, leading to unfair treatment, prejudice, or discrimination based on a person’s race or skin color.

Back

Racism

Front

The belief that one gender (usually men) is better or more capable than another (usually women), resulting in unfair treatment, stereotypes, or discrimination based on someone’s gender.

Back

Sexism