(Some) Words you need to know to understand 8th grade EOG questions
1. allusion-a reference to a person, place, or event from literature or history
2. analogy-a comparison that shows the similarity between two things
3. anecdote-a short story used to make a point
4. archetype-a character that follows a common pattern in literature
5. argument-a claim that is supported by evidence
6. bias-a feeling for or against something
7. characterization-how a writer reveals a character’s personality
(direct/indirect)
8. climax-the point of highest interest or suspense in a story
9. connotation-the emotion or attitude a word expresses
10. convey- to communicate or express
11. denotation-the dictionary definition of a word
12. dialogue-words characters speak in a text; conversation
13. dramatic irony- the reader knows something the characters do not
14. ellipsis-a punctuation mark used to show words have been omitted
15. em dash- punctuation mark to show an abrupt break in thought
16. evidence- examples, statistics, anecdotes, survey results, testimonials, quotes
17. fact-something that can be observed or proven true
18. figurative language-a word that means something other than its definition
19. formal style-used in reports, essays, and speeches; avoids slang
20. gerund- a verb form ending in –ing that is used as a noun
21. imagery- a word or phrase that appeals to the senses
22. imperative mood- a verb form used to state a command
23. indicative mood-a verb form used to state a fact or express an opinion
24. inference- a guess about a test based on evidence and prior knowledge
25. infinitive-a verb form that can begins with “to” and can be used as a noun or
adverb
26. informal style-casual, everyday language
27. interrogative mood-a verb used to ask a question
28. metaphor- a comparison of two seemingly unlike things to highlight a shared
trait (can go on for several lines in a poem)
29. mood- the overall atmosphere or feeling an author creates for the reader
30. opinion-a view that someone takes on a certain issue based on a personal
judgment
31. opposing claim-the opposite argument or viewpoint of the one in the text
32. participle-a verb form that acts as an adj; ends in –ing, -ed, or –en
33. personification-a technique that gives human qualities to nonhuman things
34. persuasive techniques- the ways an author tries to influence the reader’s
opinion; includes bandwagon, name-calling, snob appeal, and stereotyping
35. plot-the series of related events that make up a story
36. primary source-a text created by someone who was present at an event
37. structure- how text is organized (compare and contrast is an example)
38. parody- a rewording of a text to point out humor
39. point of view- the perspective from which a story is told (first, second, third)
40. pun-a play on the multiple meaning of words
41. refine- improve by making more accurate
42. relevant- on topic; related (opposite is irrelevant)
43. resolution-the part of a story after the climax that brings it to a close
44. secondary source- a text created by someone who was not present at an
event
45. significance- importance
46. simile-a comparison using like or as
47. situational irony- when the outcome of an event is the opposite of what is
expected; used by writers for effect
48. source- a book, person, Web site, etc. that provides information
49. speculation- a conclusion based on incomplete evidence
50. statistics-numbers used to prove a point
51. subjunctive mood- the form of a verb used to express a hypothetical idea
52. sufficient evidence- enough evidence to make a point
53. summary- the most important ideas of a text expressed in a few sentences
54. suspense- a state of uncertainty an author creates for the reader in order to
maintain the reader’s interest
55. symbol-an object or action that represents a larger idea or stands for
something else
56. text structure- how a text is organized (cause and effect is an example)
57. theme- the central idea of a text, usually a general idea about life
58. thesis- a statement that presents the main argument of a piece of writing,
usually found in the introduction of a text
59. tone-the author’s feelings and attitude toward the subject of a text
60. topic-what a piece of writing is mostly about
61. transition-a word or phrase that indicates a sequence of events or connects
ideas
62. varying sentence structure-the use of different types of sentences to make
text interesting
63. verbal irony-a situation in which a character’s or narrator’s words do not
match what is really meant; used by writing for effect
64. visual information-a chart, graph, map, photograph, illustration, or diagram
that expands on information provided in text or gives new information in a
clear, concise format
65. word choice- also called diction; the words or phrases selected by an author
to convey meaning