STAAR prep vocabulary Flashcards
(32 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
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.)
Structure of Poetry
Stanzas function like paragraphs in a story. Each one contains a single idea or takes the idea one step further.
