8th Reading Critical Vocabulary

Mary O.
25 words 11 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. allusion
    passing reference or indirect mention
  2. apply
    be pertinent or relevant
  3. inference
    drawing a conclusion on the basis of circumstantial evidence
  4. analogy
    drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity
    The comparison of two similar things to suggest that if they are alike in some respects, they are probably alike in other ways as well
  5. connotation
    the internal content of a term or concept
    The emotions and feelings that surround a word; they may be negative, neutral, or positive, depending on their context
  6. denotation
    the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression
    The literal or basic meaning of a word (the dictionary definition)
  7. theme
    a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary work
  8. tone
    the distinctive property of a complex sound
    The attitude of the author toward his/her subject and audience.
  9. characterization
    a vivid verbal description
    The creation of imaginary persons so that they seem lifelike
  10. irony
    incongruity between what is expected and what occurs
  11. dramatic irony
    when the audience understands something the characters don't
  12. justify
    show to be right by providing proof
  13. analyze
    break down into components or essential features
    Separate an idea or statement into the parts that make it up
  14. describe
    give a statement representing something
    To give an account so that the reader gets a mental picture
  15. prove
    establish the validity of something
    Establish the truth of a statement by giving factual evidence and logical reasons
  16. evaluate
    judge; form a critical opinion of
    State advantages or disadvantages of something
    give an opinion of the value of something
  17. determine
    reach, make, or come to a decision about something
    Establish after calculation, investigation
  18. synthesize
    combine so as to form a more complex product
    Combine two or more things to make something more complex
  19. explain
    make plain and comprehensible
    Define
    Tell how something works
  20. interpret
    make sense of; assign a meaning to
    Clarify
    Give your own ideas about
  21. personification
    attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas
    A type of figurative language that gives animate (living) characteristics to inanimate (nonliving) things
  22. simile
    a figure of speech expressing a resemblance between things
    A comparison using "like" or "as"
  23. metaphor
    a figure of speech that suggests a non-literal similarity
    A comparison of two dissimilar things
  24. hyperbole
    extravagant exaggeration
    A type of figurative language that makes an overstatement for the purpose of emphasis.
  25. plot
    the story that is told, as in a novel, play, movie, etc.
    The action of a story; all of the events that occur from the beginning to the end
Created on Fri Oct 26 16:07:59 EDT 2012

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