plot • the action in a story; the sequence of events

Parts: Rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

Simile Comparison of two different things using like or as.

He ran around the room like a wild animal. Example: He ran around the room like a wild animal. OR The dog sat as still as a stuffed animal.

Metaphor Comparison of two different things NOT using like or as.

Example: The living room was a zoo because of all the kids.

Personification Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, or ideas.

Example: I hear the wind whistling.

Theme The underlying message or thought throughout a work

Example: “love and acceptance” in “The Erne From the Coast”

conflict The struggle between two opposing forces

Setting Time and place of a story

Characterization The way the author develops characters what the characters are like

Alliteration The repetition of the first letter or sound in two or more words. This is done for effect.

Example: The fat, furry cat frolicked and had fun in the front yard.

Onomatopoeia The use of a word to represent or imitate natural sounds.

Examples: buzz, sizzle, pop, hiss…

Stanza Division of a poem. (like paragraphs in an essay)

Point of view The view point from which a story is told

Example: Edgar Allan was told by Michael so it was first person point of view

Rhythm the beat of a poem

Narrative poem a poem that tells a story example: “Paul Revere’s Ride”

Figurative language Language that is not meant to be taken in a literal sense

Example: My mom was so mad that she went through the roof.