6th Grade ELA Terms

Direct Characterization

A character is described by the author, the narrator, or the other characters. It is directly stated in the text. Ex. "Jonathon was feeling angry."

Indirect Characterization

A character's traits are exposed by their speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, and looks (STEAL) Ex. "Jonathon cheeks were red and his hand clenched into fists."

Simile

A figure of speech that is a comparison of two unrelated objects, concepts, or ideas through the use of the words like or as.

Metaphor

A figure of speech used as a comparison of two unrelated objects, concepts, or ideas without using the words life or as.

Idiom

A group of words with a special, more figurative meaning instead of the literal meaning.

Foreshadow

A hint or clue that the author provides to the reader to suggest what will happen next or at sometime in the future in the story or narrative.

Falling action

A series of events occurring after the climax that bring the story to a conclusion.

Imagery

A specific use of language that appeals to the readers' senses. It may be used to describe people or objects and is influenced by the use of the five senses. Forming mental pictures by the reader and to form these pictures while reading.

Rising action

A string of events that builds up from the conflict, which then moves toward the climax.

Allusion

An implied or indirect reference especially in literature

Third person limited point of view

Author follows one character around and knows all things about this character.

Flashback

Break in the plot to describe and event that happened at an earlier time.

Informational Text

Includes references or resource works, textbooks, and informational materials most often used in subject or content areas and regularly used in schools.

Narrative Text

Literature that may be used in subjects but is often for pleasure or based on a the reader's interest.

First person point of view

The author takes the point of view of a character providing personal thoughts or feelings and shares what other characters do and say. This is the "I" narrator.

Resolution

The conclusion of the story and the completion of the action.

Mood

The general atmosphere created by the authors words. The feeling the reader gets from reading the words.

Tone

The general attitude an author takes towards his/her topic or subject.

Setting

The physical location and/or time of the narrative or events of the narrative. Setting can be developed directly through description or can be inferred through context clues, word choice, and dialogue of characters.

Protagonist

The primary or main character in a piece of literature, but may not be the hero or heroine

Plot

The sequential order of events within a narrative. Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution

Personification

The use of descriptive words in such a way as to give human characteristics to a nonhuman thing such as an object, idea, or animal. Helps convey a particular feeling or attitude toward the item and allows the reader to form their own perception.

Alliteration

The use of language in which the consonant sounds are repeated, generally at the beginning of a word or within words.

Figurative language

The use of words, phrases, or other language structures that change the literal meaning of the words used. Uses the literal or ordinary words and constructs them in an imaginary way to add beauty, strength, or a different context to the structure.

Theme

The view, belief, or message that is an underlying message of the narrative. It is not directly stated but is left up to the reader to determine it from what has been read.