Midterms Flashcards
plot
a sequence of events in a story
NOT analytic
conflict
the struggle b/w 2 opposing ppl or forces as a protagonist struggles with one or more antagonists
friction that requires action to be taken
protagonist
the main character of a story
the action of the story revolves around the protagonists & the conflict he/she faces
antagonist
the character/force the protagonist struggles against & must overcome
5 major types of conflict
protagonist vs.:
- nature
- society
- another person
- supernatural being (god-like force, technological creation, etc.)
- him/herself (internal)
what does the setting reveal?
mood, plot, characters, & theme
setting & mood
sets overall mood of the story
setting & plot
setting is important @ each pt in the plot
setting & characters
shows the characters’ physical & psychological strengths/weaknesses as they interact w/ the setting
setting & theme
says something abt life
chronological order
events in the order in which they occurred
flashbacks
an acount of a conversation, episode, or event tht happened before the beginning of a story/@ an earlier pt
interrupts the main action
shows how the past led to the present
provides background info
en media res
begins in the middle of a crisis or conflict
circular/framing structure
parallel opening & closing
Ex: A house on mango street begins & ends at the same address
foreshadowing
a writer’s use of hintsor clues in early scenes to suggest events that will occur later
prepares the reader for events to come later - often in climax/resolution
creates suspense
makes readers eager to keep reading
how do writers build characters?
STEAL
STEAL
Speech
Thoughts (private/spoken)
Effects on others (reaction)
Actions
Looks (appearance)
1st person
tell their own stories (using PN’s like I, me, and we)
tell us what they think and feel
not always reliable
limited understanding of other characters
story seems more real
dramatic monologue
a type of poem in which a speaker addresses one/more silent listeners
narrator often discuesses a specific prob/situation, talks abt his/her life & values, reveals his/her relationship w/ the audience
soliloquy
a long speech in which a character who is onstage alone expresses his/her thoughts aloud
character may discuss specific prob/situation, or reveal his/her deepest private thoughts
dialogue
conversation b/w characters
pay attention to: what characters say & don’t say; how characters respond to each other
thoughts
note whether the character’s thoughts & feelings match their speech & actions
what is revealed thru the character’s thoughts & feelings?
effect on others
note what the others say abt the character/how characters behave in the character’s presence
actions
observe to determine:
what their personality is like
what motivates them
how they deal w/ conflict
what draws readers into a story?
vivid, complex characters whose problems & triumphs draw forth our emotions & reveal some truth abt humankind
subordinate characters
add depth & complication to the plot
sidekicks
flat characters/2-dimensional characters
a character who reveals not only one, maybe two, personality traits in a story or novel, and the trait(s) don’t change
round characters
a well developed character who demonstrates varied & sometimes contradictory traits
usually dynamic
background characters
add to the truth/believability/versimilitude of the story
“narrative furniture”
less than subordinate
dynamic characters
change/grow as a result of the story’s actions
learn something abt themselves, other ppl, or the world as they struggle to resolve their conflicts
the changes that a dynamic character undergoes contribute to the meaning of the story
Ex: Ebenezer Scrooge
static characters
a character that remains primarily the same throughout a story or novel
events in the story don’t alter a static character’s outlook, personality, motivation, perception, habits, etc.
motivation
drives a character’s actions
explains behaviors, reveals personality
often based on character’s fear, conflicts, needs
can be observed from characters’ behavior, speech, actions
author’s characterization tools
clues to communicate characters to the reader:
- the character’s name
- the character’s physical appearance
- character’s occupation
- what the character’s home/surroundings r like
- character’s habits
- what others say abt the character
- what the narrator says abt the character
direct characterization
the writer makes direct statements abt a character’s personality & tells what the character is like
telling
shorter, less imagination
indirect characterization
the writer reveals info abt a character & his personality thru STEAL
showing
third person
narrator is not a character in the story
may not be identifiable person but merely a voice
limited, omniscient, objective
often know more abt more characters
might not feel as connected to the story
limited 3rd person
the thoughts & feelings of ONE person r discussed
omniscient 3rd person
he/she knows the thoughts & feelings of ALL of the characters
objective 3rd person
no thoughts & feelings r discussed
2nd person
the writer takes control of the reader, using pronouns such as you, your, and you’re
instructive if giving directions
speechwriting
letterwriting
bossy if told what to think or how to feel
motif
reoccurring theme or device
help to explain the central idea of a literary work i.e. theme
theme/thesis
the meaning of the work as a whole, the message the author is trying to convey
central symbol
a person/place/obj/gesture/image that stands for something else or that has a greater meaning in addition to what it really is
represent something else and help to understand an idea or a thing
exposition
info the audience needs to kno abt wat has occurred before the action starts
climax
the turning point (often in the most dramatic part)
falling action
the part following the climax (diff from resolution - not all stories have a resolution)
important for analysis?
EVIDENCE
internal conflict
the struggle occurring w/in a character’s mind
external conflict
a struggle occurring outside the mind of a character
tone
the writer’s attitude toward the material and/or readers, as expressed thru choice of words & details
tone may be playful, formal, intimate, angry, serious, ironic, outraged, baffled, tender, serene, depressed, etc.
diff b/w static & flat characters
static characters don’t change from beginning to end of book
flat character is a character tht has only one side, and is unimportant to the story
Speech
what does the character say? how does the character speak?
licentious
(adj.) morally unrestrained
Syn: immoral; lewd
numismatist
(n.) a coin collector
paucity
(n.) a scarcity; a lack
Syn: insufficiency
fatalistic
(adj.) believing that all events in life are inevitable and determined to fate
obtrude
(v.) to force oneself into a situation
Syn: impose, intrude
Ant: extricate
pensive
(adj.) dreamily thoughtful
Syn: reflective; meditative
lackadaisical
(adj.) unintersted; listless
Syn: spiritless; apathetic; languid
alienate
(v.) to turn away feelings or affections
Syn: estrange; set against
elated
(adj.) in high spirits; exultantly proud and joyful
Syn: overjoyed
epigram
(n.) a witty saying expressing a single thought or observation
Syn: aphorism; bon mot; quip
amalgamate
(v.) to combine
Syn: unite; blend; merge; consolidate
demented
(adj.) mentally ill; insane
Syn: deranged; insane
hone
(v.) to sharpen
beleaguer
(v.) to besiege by encircling (as with an army); to harass
Syn: surround; annoy
gorge
(v.) to eat or swallow greedily
antiquated
(adj.) no longer used or useful; very old
Syn: obsolete; out-of-date; archaic
opiate
(n.) a narcotic used to cause sleep or bring relief
caricature
(n.) an exaggerated portrayal of one’s features
Syn: mockery; cartoon
dally
(v.) to waste time; dawdle
Syn: dawdle; loiter
felonious
(adj.) peraining to or constituting a major crime
Syn: criminal
edifice
(n.) a large, elabroate structure; an imposing building
Syn: fortress
ambidextrous
(adj.) equally skillful with either hand
belated
(adj.) delayed
Syn: tardy; late
animate
(v.) to give life or motion to
Syn: enliven; encourage; excite
knead
(v.) to work dough or clay into a uniform mixture
Syn: squeeze; rub; press
chauvinist
(n.) on having a fanatical devotion to a country, gender, or religion, and displaying contempt for other countries, the opposite sex, or other beliefs
egalitarian
(adj.) promoting equal rights for all ppl
berserk
(adj.) in a state of violent or destructive rage
Syn: frenzied
Ant: placid; complacent
ostentatious
(adj.) marked by a conspicuous, showy, or pretentious display
Syn: grandiose
delude
(v.) to mislead; to fool
Syn: deceive
elude
(v.) to escape notice; to get away from
Syn: avoid; evade; lose
fallow
(adj.) inactive; unproductive
Syn: idle; barren
blight
(n.) anything that destroys, prevents growth, or causes devaluation
Syn: affliction; disease
obsequy
(n.) a funeral rite or ceremony
denizen
(n.) an occupant; an inhabitant
Syn: resident
fealty
(n.) obligated loyalty or faithfulness
Syn: devotion; fidelity; allegiance
entice
(v.) to attract by offering reward or pleasure
Syn: tempt; lure
gratify
(v.) to please
Syn: satisfy; indulge
laggard
(n.) a slow person, especially one who falls behind
Syn: straggler; dawdler
gambit
(n.) a maneuver or action used to gain an advantage
Syn: strategy; ploy; manuever
jaded
(adj.) worn out; dulled, as from overindulgence
Syn: exhausted, wearied
gist
(n.) the main point
Syn: idea, essence
advocate
(v.) to recommend; to speak in favor of
Syn: promote; encourage
efface
(v.) to obliterate; to wipe out
Syn: erase
charisma
(n.) a personal appeal or attraction; magnetism
Syn: charm
ogre
(n.) a brute; a large monster; a frightful giant
mesmerize
(v.) to hypnotize
Syn: captivate; entrance
entity
(n.) anything having existence, either physical or mystical
bandy
(v.) to exchange words; to discuss casually
dastardly
(adj.) cowardly & treacherous
Syn: dishonorable; shameful
nepotism
(n.) favoritism shown to family or friends by those in power, esp. in business or hiring practices
begrudge
(v.) to resent another’s success; to envy
Syn: resent
mandarin
(n.) an influential person; a member of an elite group
glutinous
(adj.) gluey; sticky
enmity
(n.) deep-seated hostlity, often mutual
Syn: hatred; antagonism
declaim
(v.) to speak in a dramatic, impasioned, or blustering manner
Syn: trumpet
Ant: whisper
imbue
(v.) to inspire or influence; to saturate
Syn: instill; pervade
gaff
(n.) a pole w/ a large hook on one end
quaff
(v.) to drink in large quantities; to gulp
Syn: guzzle; swig
bibliophile
(n.) a lover of books
gird
(v.) to prepare for an event or an action
Syn: brace
daunt
(v.) to make afraid; to discourage
Syn: intimidate; dishearten
flux
(n.) a state of continual change or movement
Syn: fluctuation; instability
hovel
(n.) a wretched living place; an open shed
Syn: shanty; shack
cadaverous
(adj.) of or like a corpse; pale; gaunt; thin
Syn: ghastly
gothic
(adj.) of teh middle ages; of or relating to a mysterious, grotesque, and desolate style of fiction
penury
(n.) extreme poverty
Syn: destitution
egress
(n.) an exit; a means of going out
Syn: passage
felicity
(n.) happiness; bliss
Syn: euphoria; delight
despot
(n.) a dictator w/ absolute power
Syn: tyrant
beget
(v.) to produce; to make happen
Syn: generate
educe
(v.) to draw or bring out
Syn: elicit
glean
(v.) to collect bit by bit; to gather w/ patient labor
Syn: garner
chafe
(v.) to wear or irritate, often thru rubbing/friction
effrontery
(n.) shameless boldness
Syn: impudence; nerve; audacity
imbibe
(v.) to drink (especially alcohol)
feign
(v.) to pretend
Syn: simulate; fake
desist
(v.) to stop; to discontinue
Syn: cease; end
allude
(v.) to hint at; to refer to indirectly
Syn: suggest; imply
elite
(n.) the choice members or best of a group
Syn: leaders
bilk
(v.) to cheat or swindle; to thwart
Syn: defraud, con
homily
(n.) a sermon
Syn: lecture; speech
demise
(n.) death; a ceasing to exist
Syn: termination; conclusion
emit
(v.) to send out; to give forth, as in sound or light
Syn: produce; discharge; release
decadence
(n.) moral deterioration
Syn: decay; corruption; debauchery
aghast
(adj.) feeling great dismay or horror
Syn: terrified; horrified; shocked
granary
(n.) a storehouse for grain
choleric
(adj.) easily angered
Syn: irascible; cantankerous
impede
(v.) to hinder; to obstruct
Syn: delay; retard
qualm
(n.) a feeling of uneasiness
Syn: misgiving
lampon
(n.) a written satire used to ridicule of attack someone
Syn: parody; caricature
narcissistic
(adj.) conceited; having excessive self-love or admiration
Syn: vain; egotistic
eradicate
(v.) to wipe out; to destroy
Syn: eliminate
fabricate
(v.) to concoct; to make up a story in order to deceive
Syn: forge; fake
ghastly
(adj.) horrible; frightful
Syn: dreadful; hideous
Ant: lovely; attractive
fallible
(adj.) capable of error
Syn: imperfect
Ant: infallible, flawless
blatant
(adj.) obvious; too conspicuous
Syn: unconcealed; deliberate
Ant: secretive; cautious
dawdle
(v.) to waste time
Syn: tarry; loiter
Ant: hasten; expedite
affiliate
(n.) an associate; a partner
Syn: member; colleague
fawn
(v.) to act slavishly submissive
Syn: grovel
Ant: ignore; disregard; neglect
calumny
(n.) a false and malicious accusation
Syn: slander; slur
Ant: compliment
berate
(v.) to scold or rebuke severely and at length
Syn: admonish; reprimand
Ant: praise
minion
(n.) a fawning, servile follower
Syn: lackey
Ant: leader
desolate
(adj.) lonely; forlorn; uninhabited; barren
Syn: deserted; bleak
Ant: populous; cheerful
bane
(n.) the cause of ruin, harm, distress, or death
Syn: blight; curse
Ant: aid; assistance
pacify
(v.) to calm down
Syn: appease; placate
Ant: provoke; agitate
garble
(v.) to mix up or distort
Syn: jumble; corrupt
prevaricate
(v.) to lie
Syn: hedge
filch
(v.) to steal
Syn: pilfer; pinch
neophyte
(n.) a beginner
Syn: novice; amateur
flagrant
(adj.) glaringly bad; outrageous
Syn: offensive; shameless; brazen
patrician
(n. ) an aristocrat
syn: noble
emissary
(n.) one sent on a special mission to represent others
Syn: ambassador; agent
kindred
(adj.) having a similar origin, nature, or character
Syn: homogeneous
fracas
(n.) a loud quarrel or fight
Syn: brawl
lacerate
(v.) to tear (flesh) jaggedly
Syn: slash; gash; rip
futile
(adj.) useless; pointless
Syn: ineffectual; fruitless
immaculate
(adj.) spotless; perfect
Syn: clean; pure
gait
(n.) manner of walking
Syn: walk
carp
(v.) to complain or find fault in a petty or nagging way
Syn: grumble; nag; nitpick
query
(v.) to ask; to inquire
Syn: question; interrogate
queu
(n.) a line of ppl or vehicles
nefarious
(adj.) very wicked; notorious
Syn: villainous; despicable
genesis
(n.) beginning; origin
Syn: start; birth
facade
(n.) a deceptive outward appearance; a misrepresentation
Syn: pretense; charade
plot diagram
exposition
exciting force
rising action
climax
falling action
resolution
sequence
authors must decide how to structure their narratives
diff b/w theme & thesis
A thesis statement is usually associated with an essay or formal paper. usually declared explicitly in the form of an argument or interrogative that the bulk of the text attempts to address.
Theme is usually much more elusive than a thesis and is typically not explicitly stated. Themes are commonly employed to establish some relation with the reader, to address some universal concept or evoke some particular idea. Themes in fiction are created with motifs, which are figurative patterns that suggest something underlying the story.
mood
the atmosphere that pervades a literary work w the intention of evoking a certain emotion/feeling from the aduience
may be created by a combo of such elements as setting, voice, tone, & theme
use adj’s
feeling u have in response to the writing
simile
a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities b/w 2 diff things
unlike a metaphor, draws resemblance w/ the help of words “like” or “as”
direct comparison
metaphor
a figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison b/w 2 things/obj’s tht r poles apart from each other but have some characteristics comon b/w them
a resemblance of 2 contradictory/diff obj’s is made on a single/some common characteristics
analogy
a comparison in which an idea/thing is compared to another thing that is quite diff from it
aims @ explaining that idea/thing by comparing it to something that is familiar
metaphors & similes used to draw an analogy - more extensive than either
Ex: Structure of an atom is like a solar system. Nucleus is the sun and electrons are the planets revolving around their sun.
diction
style of speaking/writing determined by the choice of word by a speaker/writer
separates good writing from bad writing: should be accurate, appropriate to the context, and such that the listener or readers understand easily
syntax
the actual way in which words & sentences r placed together in writing
usually should follow a pattern of subj-verb-obj agreement, but sometimes authors play around w/ this to achieve a lyrical, rhythmic, rhetoric, or questioning effect
not related to the meaning of each word/overall meanings of sentence
hyperbole
the author uses specific words & phrases that exaggerate & overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect
personification
the practice of attaching human traits & characteristics w/ inanimate obj’s, phenomena, & animals
allusion
the author refers to a subj matter such as a place, event, or literary work by way of a passing reference
up to the reader to make a connection to the subj being mentioned
onomatopoeia
refers to words whose very sound is very close to the sound they r meant to depict
compare & contrast
highlights similarities & diff’s b/w 2+ subj’s
used to show the benefits of 1 subj over another/to compare an unfamiliar subj w/ a familiar one
look for signal words such as also, and, but, in contrast, unlike, and while
cause & effect
examination of the causes and/or effects of a stiuation/phenomenon
classification
grouping info by common characteristiics
e.g. media classified as print, television, and radio
transitions
words & phrases which provide a connection b/w ideas, sentences, & paragraphs
help to make a piece of writing flow better
not only connect ideas, but also introduce a certain shift, contrast or opposition, emphasis or agreement, purpose, result or conclusion, etc. in the line of argument
subjective (point of view)
a personal view/opinion
or might just describe something
sensations, beliefs, feelings, emotions, opinions
objective (point of view)
gives only facts
when the writer tells what happens w/out stating more than can be inferred from the story’s action and dialogue
connotation
emotional association beyond the dictionary def
subjective/biased
denotation
the dictionary def
objective
stock character
a fictional character based on a common literary/social stereotype
rely heavily on cultural types/names for their personality, manner of speech, & other characteristics
purpose
an author’s purpose is what the writer hopes to achieve by crafting a particular work
to inform/explain, persuade, entertation, express thoughts/feelings
always has “to” in front
to inform or explain
Ex: encyclopedia/magazine articles, documentries, instruction manuals, Web sites
clues:
- facts & statistics
- directions
- steps in a process
- diagrams/illustrated explanations
to persuade
Ex: editorials, TV ads, political speeches
- a statement of opinion
- supporting evidence
- appeals to emotion
- a call to action
to entertain
Ex: short stories, novels, plays, humorous essays, movies
clues:
- suspenseful/exciting situations
- humorous/fascinating details
- intriguing characters
to express thoughts/feelings
Ex: personal essays, poems, diaries, journals
clues:
- thoughtful desc’s
- insightful observations
- the writer’s personal feelings
perspective
anauthor’s perspective is the lens thru which a writer looks at a topic
colored by the writer’s experiences, values, & feelings
look @
- focus of the work
- word choice
- tone
chronological organization
describes events in time order
used to explain a sequence of events in an easy-to-follow way/to tell a suspenseful or exciting story
look for signal words such as before, finally, first, next, and then
how else can writers of nonfiction use text features to help u understand a topic?
subheading, captions, & boldfaced types
Outliers central message
Successful people are determined by their surrounding circumstances, other people, & practice, so we as a community can affect who succeeds in our society.
anecdotal evidence
refers to the use of particular instances or concrete examples to support a general claim
is compelling, but doesn’t, in itself, provide proof
assertion
a bold claim
statistical evidence
supports the claim by emplying numerical data
factual knowledge
refers to essential facts, terminology, details, / elements necessary in order to understand a discipline or solve a problem in it
authoritative testimony
occurs when an expert on a specific topic is referenced in order to grant an argument more weight
used in argumentative papers, politics, social policy, & courts of law
style
the unique elements that make everything distinctive
the way a particular work is written - how it’s said
depends on choice of words, tone, & sentence structures
formal, informal, journaistic, literary
formal style
uses sophisticated, abstract language
may use complex sentence structures
carefully observes rules of grammar
informal style
sounds like everyday conversation
may use contractions & slang
may use simple sentences & fragments
journalistic style
uses netutral words to report facts
often includes simple sentences
reader notices what’s said, not who’s talking
literary style
may use imagery to convey a mood
often includes long, elaborate sentences
reader often gets to know the narrator - the voice that tells the story
voice
the personality that comes across in the page
may be the writer’s, or it may belong to a fictional character in a story
word choice, sentence structure, & tone
sentence structure
can be short & to the point or long & complex
clause
S + V
not necessarily a sentence
phrase
doesn’t have a S + V
simple sentence
1 clause
compound sentence
1 clause + FANBOY or ; + 1 clause
complex sentence
1 clause + (subordinating conj + 1 clause) OR (subordinating conj + 1 clause) + 1 clause
FANBOYS
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So (but not “so that”)
compound complex sentences
1 clause + FANBOYS or ; + 1 clause + (subordinating conj. + 1 clause)
OR
(subordinating conj + 1 clause) + 1 clause
OR
1 clause + (subordinating conj + 1 clause)
OR
(subordinating conj + 1 clause) + 1 clause + 1 clause + coordinating conj
subordinating conj’s
make clauses dependent
after, altho, as, because, if, since, so that, until, when, while
relative PN’s
who/whom, whoever/whomever, whose, that, & which
can act as subj’s in a clause
preposition
links nouns, PN’s, & phrases to other words in a sentence
usually indicates the temporal, spatial, or logical relationship of its obj to the rest of the sentence as in the following examples
essay opening paragraph
approx 8-10 setnences
- hook/attention getter
- background
- thesis
essay body paragraph
approx. 10-12 sentences
1. topic (assertion)
2. evidence
3. analysis
persuasive techniques
- appeals to emotion
- transfer (transfer feelings abt one things to another)
- bandwagon (appeal to popularity as an attempted form of validation
- testimonial (a person’s written/spoken statmeent extolling the virtue of a product/service/ideas)
- loaded lagnuage (refers to words, phrases, & overall verbal & written communication tht is intended to inspire emotion in the reader/listener Ex: Tax relief, no child left behind)
inference
an educated guess based on the evidence
graphic aid
pics/art used to illustrate a subj
table of contents
a list of the parts of a book/doc organized in the order in whcih the parts appear
index
a collection of entries, alphabetically arranged, that is made to allow users to locate information in a given book
appears at end
glossary
an alphabetical list of terms w/ the def’s for those terms
traditionaly, appears @ end of book & includes terms w/in tht book tht r either newly introduced, uncommon, or specialized
essay
quotes or italics?
quotes: short
poems that aren’t epics
songs
articles
speeches
essays
individual televison episodes
short stories
italics: long
novellas over 60 pgs
novels over 100 pgs
epic poems
TV shows
movies
CD titles
passive voice
occurs when u make the obj of an action into the subj of a sentence
pronoun-agreement errors
the indefinite PN’s “anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody” r always singular
biased PN’s
we, our, us,
collective first person
“to be” verbs
am is are was were be being been
low-level words
get
things
stuff
a lot
bad
good
2nd person
you your yours
counter argument
an argument opposed to your thesis, or part of your thesis. It expresses the view of a person who disagrees with your position.
rebuttal
the portion of an essay or speech that acknowledges the opponent’s position and gives evidence or argument against it
topic sentence
a sentence that captures the meaning of the entire paragraph or group of sentences. It tells what the passage is mainly about.
colloquial language
informal language that is not rude, but would not be used in formal situations. It is less unacceptable than Slang & Swear Words.
Read more at http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/colloquial.html#jHvJRXLtXWdFAe8y.99
prepositional phrase
consists of a prep, its obj, and any modifiers of the obj
adverb phrase
modifies a verb, adj, or another adverb
adj phrase
modifies a noun/PN
independent/main clause
expresses a complete thoguht & forms a sentence
subordinate/dependent clause
contains a subj & verb but doesn’t express a complete thought
cannot stand alone as a setnence
verbal phrase
no subj
diff from subordinate clause
when to use commas
in series of 3+
after “first, second, so on” when they introduce a series
b/w 2+ adj’s of equal rank that modify same noun
after introductory words/mild interjections “oh, yes, no, well”
after introductory prep phrase that contains additional prep phrases
after verbal phrases & adv clauses used as introductory elements
to set off 1+ words tht interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence
to set off nouns of direct address
to set off nonessential appositives
