STAAR PREP VOCAB Flashcards
(27 cards)
Exposition
the introduction of the story, where the main characters or other elements are introduced
Rising action
events leading to the main event/problem of the story
Turning point/Climax
the most exciting part of the story
Falling action
events that lead to the problem/conflict being solved
Resolution
events that bring the story to a close (also known as denouement)
Theme/central message-
the underlying message of a story, poem, or play
Internal conflict
a struggle that takes place in a character’s mind (ex.: man vs. self;
External conflict
a struggle between a character and an outside force (ex.: man vs. character, man vs. nature, and man vs. society, man vs. fate)
Protagonist
the main character in a story or play, usually the hero of the story
Antagonist
the character or a force in conflict with the main character, usually the villain
First person point of view
a character in the story is the narrator and is telling the story; Pronouns: uses I, me, we
Third person limited point of view
focuses on only ONE character’s actions, emotions, and thoughts; uses character’s names, he, she, it, they, him, her
Third person objective point of view
focuses on every character’s actions but NOT the emotions and thoughts – the narrator sees and hears everything; uses character’s names, he, she, it, they, him, her
Third person omniscient point of view
knows the actions, emotions, and thoughts of every character – the narrator knows EVERYTHING; uses character’s names, he, she, it, they, him, her
Foreshadowing
When the author gives a hint about something that will happen
Example
The children saw the sign that said, “Danger! Do not enter!” but they went inside the abandoned building anyway.
Irony
an event that is the opposite of what is expected to happen.
Flashback
an event from the past that is shown in a story
Idiom
an expression that has a different meaning from the literal meaning (ex: You need to hit the books and study!)
Simile
a comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as: (ex.: Her new hair do looked like a mop.)
Metaphor
a comparison of two unlike things that does NOT use “like” or “as” (ex. My teacher was a monster today.)
Personification
giving human qualities to something that is not human (ex.: The wind whispered my name.)
Hyperbole
an exaggeration used to emphasize something (ex.: I have told you a million times to spit out that gum.)
Alliteration
repeating the same beginning consonant sounds (ex.: Silly Sam swam sideways.)
