ELA Terms (Q-Z) Flashcards
Memorize these terms (24 cards)
resolution
In a story, the ________is the part where everything comes together and the problems are solved. After a lot of excitement and challenges, the characters find a way to fix the issues they faced. For example, if a character had a conflict with a friend, the ________might show them talking it out and becoming friends again. This part is important because it helps readers understand how the characters have changed and what lessons they learned. The ________gives the story a sense of closure, letting readers feel satisfied with how things turned out.
rhetoric
________ is the skill of talking or writing well. It helps us share our ideas clearly and make others understand us better. When we use rhetoric, we can persuade people to believe what we say or feel a certain way. Whether we are giving a speech, writing a story, or talking to friends, using good rhetoric can make our words stronger and more interesting.
rhetorical question
A ________ is a type of question where you don’t really expect an answer. You ask it to make a point or to express something important. For example, when someone asks, “Is there anyone who does not believe in freedom?” they really mean “Everyone believes in freedom.” This helps to show how important freedom is to everyone.
ridicule
________ means to laugh at someone in a mean way or to make fun of them. It can show that someone does not respect another person. Sometimes, ridicule is used in satire, which is a way of telling a funny story that also has a serious message.
satire
________ is a type of writing that shows the mistakes of people, groups, or societies. It makes fun of these mistakes to help fix problems or to show something bad that is happening.
sentence
A ________is a group of words that express a complete thought. It usually has a subject, which tells us who or what the ________is about, and a predicate, which tells us what the subject does or is. ________s can be short or long, but they always start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark, like a period, question mark, or exclamation point.
setting
The ________ in a story is the time and place where the events happen. It helps readers imagine the world the characters live in. For example, a story might take place in a cozy cottage in the forest during winter, where the snow is falling softly outside. The ________ can also include details about the weather, the season, and even the mood of the story. Knowing the ________ is important because it helps us understand how the characters feel and how their actions are influenced by their surroundings.
simile
A ________ is a way to compare two things using the words “like” or “as.” For example, if you say, “She is as brave as a lion,” you are comparing someone’s bravery to that of a lion. This helps us understand how strong or brave someone is by using a picture in our minds. ________s make our writing more interesting and fun!
Here are some more examples of ________s:
* “His smile was like the sun.”
* “The water was as cold as ice.”
When you use ________s, you can make your writing come alive!
soliloquy
A ________ is a speech given by a character who is by themselves on stage. This means that no one else can hear them, or the other characters do not notice them. The reason for this speech is to let the audience know what the character is thinking or to share important information about other characters or what is happening in the story.
sonnet
A ________ is a special type of poem that has fourteen lines. It is usually written in a rhythm called iambic pentameter. A Shakespearean sonnet has three parts, called quatrains, which have four lines each, and one couplet, which has two lines. All the lines rhyme in a specific pattern: abab cdcd efef gg.
In a ________, the poet’s ideas are organized in a clear way. Each quatrain can talk about a different part of an idea or story, and the couplet at the end gives a conclusion or answer. Because ________ s can be complicated, many poets like to use them to express their deep thoughts and feelings.
symbol
A ________ is something that stands for or shows something else. In stories, a ________ is a word or a phrase that points to an object, a scene, or an action. This symbol also has a special meaning connected to it. For example, a rose is a common symbol of love.
synonym
A ________ is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. For example, the words “happy” and “joyful” are ________s because they both describe a feeling of being pleased or content. Using ________ can make our writing more interesting and help us express our ideas clearly. Instead of using the same word over and over, we can choose different ________ to make our sentences more fun to read. Learning about synonyms is important because it helps us expand our vocabulary and communicate better with others.
syntax
________is the way words are arranged in a sentence to make sense. It helps us understand who is doing what in a sentence. For example, in the sentence “The cat chased the mouse,” the ________shows that the cat is the one doing the chasing, while the mouse is the one being chased.
text
________s are written works that communicate ideas, stories, or information. They can come in many forms, including books, articles, and poems, and they help us learn about the world and express our thoughts. By reading different types of ________s, we can discover new facts, enjoy exciting stories, and understand the feelings of others.
theme
A ________ is the main idea or message that a story, poem, or piece of writing conveys to its readers. It is what the author wants to communicate about life, human nature, or society. ________ help readers think deeply about what they read and understand the lessons that can be learned from different stories.
thesis (guiding idea)
A ________ is a statement that you make at the beginning of an argument or when you want to show something. It helps explain what you will talk about.
tone
________ is the way someone speaks or writes. It shows how the writer feels about the characters, places, problems, and more in their work. There are many kinds of ________. For example, a tone can be thoughtful, chatty, formal, sad, or silly. Sometimes, a ________ can mix different feelings together.
Different ________ can make readers feel many emotions. They might feel pity, fear, horror, or even humor when they read a story.
tone
________ is the way someone speaks or writes. It shows how the writer feels about the characters, places, problems, and more in their work. There are many kinds of ________. For example, a tone can be thoughtful, chatty, formal, sad, or silly. Sometimes, a ________ can mix different feelings together.
Different ________ can make readers feel many emotions. They might feel pity, fear, horror, or even humor when they read a story.
tragic flaw (or harmatia)
A ________is a mistake or weakness in a character that leads to their downfall in a story. This idea is often found in literature and plays, where a hero or main character has a special quality that makes them great, but also has a ________that causes problems. For example, a character might be very brave, but their overconfidence could lead them to make poor decisions. This creates tension and helps to teach important lessons about human behavior. In many stories, the ________is what makes the character relatable, showing that everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
understatement
________ is a way of expressing something that makes it seem less important or serious than it really is. For example, if someone wins a big race and says, “I did okay,” that is an ________ because winning is a big achievement! People often use ________ to be funny or to make a point without being too dramatic. It’s like saying, “It’s a bit chilly” when it’s actually very cold outside. By using ________, we can create a special effect in our speech or writing that makes people think and sometimes laugh. Understanding this can help us become better communicators!
verb
A ________is a word that shows action or a state of being. For example, in the sentence “The dog runs,” the word “runs” is the ________because it tells us what the dog is doing. ________s are important in sentences because they help us understand what happens in a story or what someone is doing.
voice
________ in writing is the unique way an author expresses their thoughts and feelings through words. It can show the author’s personality and mood, making the writing feel more alive and engaging. Just like how we all have different ways of speaking, writers also have their own ________that makes their stories and ideas special.
versimilitude
________ is a literary term that means the appearance of being true or real in a story. It helps readers believe in the characters and events, making the story more engaging. For example, in a novel where a character struggles with everyday problems like school and friendships, the realistic details make the story feel authentic and relatable to readers.
stock character
A stock character is a type of character that is easily recognizable and often used in storytelling. These characters have specific traits or roles that audiences expect, such as the “dumb jock” or the “wise old mentor.” For example, in many adventure stories, the brave hero who faces challenges and fights for justice is a stock character that readers can quickly identify.
