English 1st Semester Exam Study Guide 2022
(description of terms)
memoir - a reflective, emotional recollection of a limited period in the author's life
speaker - the voice in a poem
third person omniscient point of view - a device which allows the reader to experience the story
through the eyes of an all-knowing narrator who is able to see into the minds of several or all of the
characters
genre - a form or category of literature
suspense - the anxiety that a reader feels when he or she is uncertain about what will happen next
moral - a practical lesson pointing out how one should or should not behave
protagonist - the main character in a story
fiction - a story in which people, events, and/or places are made up
internal conflict - a struggle within a character's mind
dialect - a way of speaking that is characteristic of a certain geographical area or a certain group of
people
realistic fiction - imaginative writing that accurately reflects life as it conceivably could be lived.
hook - a compelling opening intended to peak the reader's interest, drawing him/her into the text
first person point of view - a device which allows the reader to experience the story through the eyes
of one character, a narrator who uses the personal pronoun 'I'.
third person limited point of view - a device which allows the reader to experience the story through
the eyes of one character, a narrator who relates the experiences of a character using the pronoun 'he'
or 'she'.
static character - a character who does not undergo internal change in a story or play
dynamic character - a character who experiences a change in understanding or belief
direct characterization - a method of revealing a character's personality through obvious statements.
indirect characterization - a method of revealing a character's personality through his/her words,
thoughts, actions; and the words, thoughts, and reactions of other characters.
tone - the speaker's attitude toward the topic, characters, or audience
, external conflict - a struggle between a character and an outside force like another character, society,
technology, fate, or nature
motive - what makes a character do, say, or act as he or she does
mood - the overall feeling or atmosphere in a text
theme - the understanding about life or people that the reader takes with him/her after reading a
piece of literature
dramatic irony - a plot device in which the reader or viewer knows more than the characters
foil - a character who contrasts with another character in order to highlight particular qualities of the
other
prose - writing that is not poetry
poetry - compressed language that relies on figures of speech and imagery to provide insight or
appeal to the emotions.
drama - a work of literature meant to be performed by actors before an audience.
nonfiction - prose writing that deals with real people, events, and places.
historical fiction - a realistic story set in the past and generally focusing on a notable period or event
fantasy - a genre of fiction that uses magic or supernatural phenomena in an imaginary world
fable - a story teaching a moral lesson, involving non-human characters
fairy tale - a story of good and evil, involving royalty and magical creatures
biography - an account of a person's life
autobiography - a person's account of his/her own life
parable - a story that teaches a moral lesson or universal truth
folk tale - a story that centers on a regular person who must face a seemingly impossible task to
become a hero
second person point of view - a perspective in which the narrator tells a story using "you."
temporal transition - a word that moves the reader in time
climax - the point of greatest tension or interest in a story
action - physical or mental events that move the plot forward in a story
(description of terms)
memoir - a reflective, emotional recollection of a limited period in the author's life
speaker - the voice in a poem
third person omniscient point of view - a device which allows the reader to experience the story
through the eyes of an all-knowing narrator who is able to see into the minds of several or all of the
characters
genre - a form or category of literature
suspense - the anxiety that a reader feels when he or she is uncertain about what will happen next
moral - a practical lesson pointing out how one should or should not behave
protagonist - the main character in a story
fiction - a story in which people, events, and/or places are made up
internal conflict - a struggle within a character's mind
dialect - a way of speaking that is characteristic of a certain geographical area or a certain group of
people
realistic fiction - imaginative writing that accurately reflects life as it conceivably could be lived.
hook - a compelling opening intended to peak the reader's interest, drawing him/her into the text
first person point of view - a device which allows the reader to experience the story through the eyes
of one character, a narrator who uses the personal pronoun 'I'.
third person limited point of view - a device which allows the reader to experience the story through
the eyes of one character, a narrator who relates the experiences of a character using the pronoun 'he'
or 'she'.
static character - a character who does not undergo internal change in a story or play
dynamic character - a character who experiences a change in understanding or belief
direct characterization - a method of revealing a character's personality through obvious statements.
indirect characterization - a method of revealing a character's personality through his/her words,
thoughts, actions; and the words, thoughts, and reactions of other characters.
tone - the speaker's attitude toward the topic, characters, or audience
, external conflict - a struggle between a character and an outside force like another character, society,
technology, fate, or nature
motive - what makes a character do, say, or act as he or she does
mood - the overall feeling or atmosphere in a text
theme - the understanding about life or people that the reader takes with him/her after reading a
piece of literature
dramatic irony - a plot device in which the reader or viewer knows more than the characters
foil - a character who contrasts with another character in order to highlight particular qualities of the
other
prose - writing that is not poetry
poetry - compressed language that relies on figures of speech and imagery to provide insight or
appeal to the emotions.
drama - a work of literature meant to be performed by actors before an audience.
nonfiction - prose writing that deals with real people, events, and places.
historical fiction - a realistic story set in the past and generally focusing on a notable period or event
fantasy - a genre of fiction that uses magic or supernatural phenomena in an imaginary world
fable - a story teaching a moral lesson, involving non-human characters
fairy tale - a story of good and evil, involving royalty and magical creatures
biography - an account of a person's life
autobiography - a person's account of his/her own life
parable - a story that teaches a moral lesson or universal truth
folk tale - a story that centers on a regular person who must face a seemingly impossible task to
become a hero
second person point of view - a perspective in which the narrator tells a story using "you."
temporal transition - a word that moves the reader in time
climax - the point of greatest tension or interest in a story
action - physical or mental events that move the plot forward in a story
