1. Knowledge Organiser for Unit 1 – The Short Story (Terms 1 and 2 of Yr 7)
These are the terms you will need to learn and use throughout this term
Creating feelings...
The building blocks of a story…
Atmosphere
the feeling, emotion, or mood a writer conveys to a reader through the description of setting and objects.
Foreboding
When a writer gives clues that something bad is going to happen through setting or circumstances.
Intrigue
When a writer invokes curiosity in the reader.
Suspense
The intense feeling that an reader goes through while waiting for the outcome, wondering what will happen next.
Tension
When the writer evokes emotions such as worry, anxiety, fear and stress on the part of both the reader and the characters. It is anticipation of conflict
Tone
Is the attitude/feeling created in the story – e.g sad, sarcastic, optimistic…
Climax
The most exciting or high point of the story, usually at or near the end.
Dialogue
A conversation between two or more people in a story.
First person
Writing using the pronouns ‘I’ or ‘we.’
Narrator
The person telling the story.
Repetition
When a writer uses the same significant word, phrase or word pattern more than once.
Setting
The place and conditions where the story happens – including the time, the place, the furniture, the weather conditions etc.
Structure
The organisation of the story: how the story begins, changes focus, and ends, including the effect this has on the reader. The effect of punctuation and sentence types.
Forms of writing...
The nitty gritty of language and techniques…
Blog
a regularly updated web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.
Classic
Literature that is widely acknowledged as having outstanding or enduring qualities.
Contemporary
Literature that is set after World War II (post-modern literature)
Tabloid
a newspaper having pages half the size of those of the average broadsheet, typically popular in style and dominated by sensational stories.
Foreshadowing
When a writer gives hints of what is about to happen.
Hyperbole
Exaggeration for effect
Metaphor
A direct comparison to something with the same characteristics – e.g The children were angels, or the classroom was a hive of activity.
Semantic field
A set of words related in meaning. For example, words from the semantic field of school may include the following: lesson, learn, teach, corridor, class, set, etc
Sensationalist language
Language designed to produce shock in the reader. Very over-the-top language.
Simile
A comparison using as or like – e.g her eyes glistened like starlight.
Academic writing…
Connotation
What is implied or suggested by something other than what it explicitly means – e.g the connotations of red are love, danger, blood etc
Evidence
Taking words or phrases (quotations) directly from the story to use in essays to make your points clear.
Explanation
In Point, evidence, explanation paragraphs, explanation means discussion of what is suggested by the writer in the evidence you’ve chosen. It can also mean explaining what you think the writer intended for the reader to feel about particular words.

2. Knowledge Organiser for Unit 1 – The Short Story (Terms 1 and 2 of Yr 7)
Key Terms
Atmosphere
Blog
Classic
Climax
Connotation
Contemporary
Dialogue
Evidence
Explanation
First person
Foreboding
Foreshadowing
Hyperbole
Inference
Irony
Intrigue
Metaphor
Narrator
Repetition
Semantic field
Sensationalised language
Setting
Simile
Structure
Tabloid
Tension
Tone