IMPORTANT ENGLISH TERMS English II

Terms and definitions Characterization Definition: The way a writer creates and develops characters’ personalities. Methods include 1. direct comments about the character 2. description of physical appearance, 3. the character’s own thoughts, speech, and actions 4. thoughts, speech, and actions from one character about another.

Terms and definitions Conflict Definition: a struggle between opposing forces 1. Internal conflict- conflict that occurs within the character 2. External conflict- a character versus an outside force, such as nature, a physical obstacle, or another character.

Terms Setting Definition: the time and place of the action of a short story, drama, novel, narrative poem, or narrative nonfiction piece

Terms Symbolism Definition: when an object or person stands for something else

Terms Mood Definition: the feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader.

Terms Tone Definition: the attitude a writer takes toward a subject.

Terms Theme Definition: an underlying message about life or human nature that a writer wants the reader to understand.

Terms Point of view 1. Definition: the method of narration used in a short story, novel, narrative poem, or work of nonfiction st person – The story is told by a character who refers to him/herself as “I” 3. 2 nd person – The narrator addresses a “you” 4. 3 rd person limited – The story is told through the eyes of a single character 5. 3 rd person omniscient – An all-knowing narrator tells the story

Terms Transition Definition: words that are used to effectively move from one idea to another.

Terms Commentary Definition: explains in detail the connection between an example presented and the thesis of an essay.

Terms Audience Definition: the intended recipients of the writer’s message.

Terms Controlling Idea - OOPS Definition: the central or most important idea about a topic that a writer or speaker conveys.

Terms Introduction - *OOPS Definition: the paragraph in an essay that supplies background information about the paper’s topic and includes a thesis statement.

Terms Thesis -*OOPS Definition: an expression of the claim that the writer or speaker is trying to support; a one sentence expression of the main idea or purpose of a piece of writing. **the answer to the prompt

Terms Topic sentence *OOPS Definition: – a sentence in a paragraph that states the paragraph’s controlling idea. All other sentences in the paragraph provide supporting details for this sentence.

Terms Evidence/Support Definition- specific pieces of information that support a claim. It can take the form of facts, quotations, specific examples, statistics, or personal experiences.

Terms Diction Definition: a writer’s choice of words

Terms Conclusion Definition: the paragraph in an essay that sums up the main points of an essay.

Terms Shift in perspective Definition: In an argument, changing from one viewpoint to another when discussing the same subject.

Terms Imagery Definition: descriptive words and phrases that re-create sensory experiences for the reader.

Important English Terms  Keep this in your binder all year.

Team Name Selection 1. Get into groups of 3 to Share your paragraph with your group. 3. Choose the top 1-2.