Sophomore Terms List – Permanent Notes
1. Allusion
Reference to popular (pop) culture - Something familiar to most or all
2. Analogy
Comparison of subjects that are alike in one important way
3. Epiphany
Moment of understanding that changes behavior.
4. Fact (VS. Opinion)
Facts can be supported with evidence; Opinions are people’s beliefs
5. Foreshadowing
Hints or clues that suggest what will happen next or later.
6. Hyperbole
Extreme overstatement used to emphasize a point.
7. Idiom
Expression of a particular language not meant to be taken literally
8. Imagery
The use of words to create a certain picture in the reader’s mind.
9. Irony
When something happens which is the opposite of what we were lead to
believe; strange coincidences.
10. Paradox
Statement that seems contradictory or absurd, but suggests truth
11. Personification
Human qualities given to animal, object, or idea
12. Red Herring
Hints or clues meant to mislead the reader
13. Satire
Tone used to make fun of human vice or weakness with the intent of
invoking change.
14. Theme
The statement about life that a writer is trying to make.
15. Tone
Attitude the writer takes toward the subject he/she is writing about
CHARACTER TYPES
16. Round
Round Characters are: Complex, fully developed, shows strengths &
weaknesses, changes.
17. Flat
Flat Characters are: One sided, don’t change, and used to advance the plot
18. Dynamic
A character who changes / grows during the course of the story – usually for
the better.
19. Static
Character that does not change
20. Dialogue
Conversation carried on by the characters.
Plot Structure
21. Flashback
Turning to an earlier place and time.
22. Framework Story
A shorter story inside of the larger narrative that serves to further explain
things that happen in the main narrative. Ex: Harry Potter & the Elder
Wand.
23. Parallel Episodes
Two stories of equal importance told simultaneously.
24. Subplot
Secondary events used to enhance character, theme, or main plot
TEXT STRUCTURE
25. Structure: Sequence
Text structure used to show something in order, one after another
26. Structure: Comparison
Text structure used to show similarities or differences
27. Structure: Cause/Effect
Text structure used to show reason or motive and the results
28. Structure: Problem/Solution
Text structure used to explain issue and how it’s being addressed
29. Structure: Description
Text structure used to provide vivid details
Writing
30. Narrative Writing
Writing that’s purpose is to tell a story; (Novel, Short Story, Narrative Article,
etc.)
31. Expository Writing
Writing that’s purpose is to explain; (Diet Book, Self-help book, Definitions,
Descriptions, etc.)
32. Persuasive Writing
Writing that’s purpose is to influence and convince others of the writer’s
point of view.
33. Technical Writing
Writing to direct through a process (recipe, directions, ect.)
Persuasion Techniques
 Plain Folks
Implies that ordinary people are on our sideor that a candidate is one of the regular people. “At last,
an investment plan created with real people, real families, and real budgets in mind.”
 Snob Appeal
Opposite of Plain Folks
 Bandwagon
Taps into people’s desire to belong or be a part of the group. “Audiences everywhere are
raving about Inception. Don’t be the only one to miss out on the smartest movie of the year.”
 Testimonial
Relies on endorsements from celebrities or satisfied customers. “I lost twenty lbs. in two weeks,
thanks to TurboCycle Plus! You can, too!”
 Transfer
Connects a product, a candidate, or a cause with a positive image or idea. “Take pride in being an
American and a patriot. Re-elect President Obama.”
 Emotional
Appeal to pity, fear, or vanity. Uses strong feelings, rather than facts and evidence, to persuade.
“Choose the new Ferrari 17000. Because you deserve a car as cool as you are.”
 Ethical
Taps into people values or moral standards. “If you believe in education, vote against…”
 Loaded Language
Uses words with positive or negative connotations to stir people’s emotions. “Smooth.
Silky. Luxurious. You’ll never go back to your ordinary, boring old sofa. Buy a Lazy-Boy
today.”
Persuasion Support
 Facts
 Statistics
 Examples
 Scenarios
 Expert opinions
Freshman List (MINUS REPEATS FROM SOPHOMORE LIST)
34. Synonyms
Words that mean the same
35. Antonyms
Words that mean the opposite
36. Antagonist
Person or thing working against the main character
37. Protagonist
Main character or hero of the story
38. Point of View
Method or narration – who is telling the story
39. Simile
Indirect comparison of two unlike thinks using “like” or “as”
40. Metaphor
Direct comparison of two unlike things
41. Onomatopoeia
A word that imitates or suggests a sound.
42. Mood
The overall feeling created by a writer’s use of words (humorous, serious, etc.)
43. Exposition (Setting)
The time and place of a story
44. Rising Action/ Complication
Point of the story where conflict develops and story builds; leads to the climax
45. Climax
Turning point of a story, intense point when a decision or change is being made
46. Falling Action
Follows the conflict and shows the results of the action or decision
47. Resolution
Tells how the struggle ends, shows the effects of the decision or change
48. Conflict
Problem or struggle that triggers the action (Complications)
49. Main Idea (Main theme)
The main reason for the story
50. Inferred theme /Implied Theme Must be figured out
51. Stated Theme
This is “spelled-out” out in the story
END FRESHMAN REQUIRED TERMS
52. Palaver
Conversation; to hold counsel
53. Incongruous
Doesn’t quite fit the situation; not congruent
54. Hubris
Excessive pride. Generally seen as a tragic flaw.
55. Analogy
Any sort of comparison between two things that share a common trait (metaphor,
simile)
56. Parody
A type of satire that mocks something by imitating it in a humorous way
57. Alliteration
A series of words that have the same first consonant sound. For example, “She
sells sea-shells down by the sea-shore”
58. Double Entendre
Something which can be interpreted in more than one way, often with risqué
implications.
59. Literal
What something actually means; the most obvious interpretation
60. Figurative (speech)
What we perceive something to mean by applying our knowledge to the author’s
intent. Figures of Speech (metaphor, idioms, expressions, symbolism, etc.).
Ex: What’s up? Nothing…
61. 1st Person POV
Narrator is
INSIDE the story
62. 3rd Person Limited POV
Narrator is
OUTSIDE the story
63. 3rd Person Omniscient POV
Narrator is
OUTSIDE the story
Uses FIRST person pronouns like I, me, my,
we, us…
Limited to typical senses of humans (sight,
sound, etc
All-knowing (can see thoughts of
characters)
The Literary Analysis / Formal Essay
64. Thesis Statement
A statement about a topic that is the central and primary thought that an essay is
about. This will always be the last sentence of the introduction.
65. Topic Sentence
A statement about a topic that is the central and primary thought that a
paragraph is about. This will always be the first sentence of a body paragraph.
66. Claim
AKA the topic sentence.
67. Data
AKA quotes and paraphrases
68. Warrant
AKA explanation / a systematic clarification of ideas
69. Analysis
An essay that systematically breaks down and studies a work – usually of
literature (literary analysis)
70. Documentation / Citation
To credit one’s source of information; generally with author and page # of work
71. Parenthetical Citation
Documentation in PARENTHESIS (Shakespeare 198).
Extras – Just Need to Know
72. Fate
Destiny
73. Palaver
To converse. To speak
74. Monologue
One person talking; others present on stage. Conversation that has been taken
over (monopolized) by one person.
75. Dialogue
Conversation between two or more people.
76. Soliloquy
One person on stage talking at length; thinking out loud
77. Pun
Play on words; low form of humor
78. Destiny
Belief that our lives are not in our controlled; pre-ordained destiny
79. Dramatic Irony
When the audience knows something that a character does not – knowledge that
could help the character
80. Annotated Bibliography
A list of citations to books, articles, and documents - followed by a brief
descriptive and evaluative paragraph