You will see all of these on the CRCT!

Onomontapeia Sounds written like words. For example: Clop-clop! The horse galloped in the darkness. The clock made a tick-tock sound. Whoosh! The Nascar racer sped down the track.

Hyperbole A hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration. For example: My bookbag weighs a ton! (No one’s book bag actually weighs a ton, but it is an exaggeration.) We waited an eternity to see the doctor. (Obviously, no one can wait an eternity, but again, this is an exaggeration!)

Personification When inanimate objects or animals are given human characteristics. Example: The talking trees in The Wizard of Oz, or Mrs. Potts, the teapot who talks and sings in the movie Beauty and the Beast.

Mood The “vibe” you get from the descriptive words in the text. In other words, ask yourself, “How does this story or poem make me feel?” For example: The iron gates squeaked as we entered the desolate cemetery. I gazed at the weather-streaked tombstones, and they reminded me of my own mortality. The moonlight shone down on the trees, casting menacing shadows. What is the mood in this passage?

Frightening…full of suspense! Words like “cemetery” and “menacing shadows” convey a mood of fright or suspense to the reader.

Tone Tone is the author’s attitude toward the text. Many authors use their stories to comment on situations or subjects. For example: The author of A Child Called “It” obviously wants to comment on the horrors of child abuse and neglect. The tone would be one of disgust.

Narrative Poetry Narrative poetry tells a story. For example: “The Highwayman” tells the story of two lovers separated by tragedy, but reunited after death.

Which of the following is an example of Onomontapeia? A) We waited forever! B) Tick-tock goes the clock. C) The tree spoke right before her eyes! D) I am as weak as a dishrag.

Which of the following is an example of a hyperbole? A) I am going to die of boredom if this class doesn’t end soon! B) The cat sang and danced to the music. C) Pitter-patter went the rain drops on the roof.

Which of the following is a metaphor? The trees were giant shadows against the sky. The trees were like giant shadows against the sky.

Foreshadowing The author’s use of language that signals to the reader that something is about to happen. Example: “Even I couldn’t have imagined what would happen next…” “None of us were prepared for the storm to come…” “I watched the shadows of the graveyard and the hairs on my neck stood up…”

Theme The lesson the story teaches; it sums everything up. For example, one might say that the theme in “The Tortoise and the Hare” is “Slow and steady wins the race, and lazy, boastful people do not prosper.”

Plot The sequence of events in a story. In other words, what happens?

Extraneous details Extra details that don’t belong in the passage. I love to go to the beach. The like the feel of the warmth on my skin and the smell of the salty air. I love to eat hotdogs at the snack bar. The waves crashing against my feet have a calming effect.

Can you spot the extraneous detail? Mary’s morning routine never changes. After stumbling out of bed, she fumbles her way to the light switch and then proceeds to brush her teeth. After applying her make-up, she makes a pot of coffee. The Folgers brand is her favorite. Finally, she grabs her purse and keys and leaves for work.

Extraneous details The Folgers brand is her favorite.