An ending (of a section, chapter, or story) that leaves the reader in suspense
connotation
The feeling associated with a word
allusion
a direct or indirect reference to something commonly known
brackish
slightly salty
denotation
The dictionary definition of a word
banishment
a punishment in which someone or something is sent away
adversary
an opponent or enemy
attentive
paying close attention to someone or something
mood
The feeling the reader gets from a work of literature; Authors create mood mostly through word choice, imagery, setting; The mood can be creepy, joyful, etc.
idiom
An everyday phrase or expression not literally true but with meaning that is understood by most people
concoction
mixture of somewhat random ingredients
diminish
to reduce or make smaller
figurative language
The GENERAL term for language not literally true that makes writing more vivid
conspicuous
obvious; easy to notice
assonance
The repetition of vowel sounds or combination of vowels in non-rhyming phrases
suspense
Anxious curiosity; the “edge of your seat” feeling that makes someone want to keep reading
aptitude
natural ability
simile
A comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as” or “than” to make a description more vivid and clear
spotlighting
Detailed description of one item or feature that will become important later in the story (a specific type of foreshadowing)
ambiguity
Vagueness; The unclear feeling between safety and danger that our brain doesn’t know how to handle (why masks are scary)
apprehensive
worry, concern, slight fear
foreshadowing
Hints or clues about what will happen next in a story
hyperbole
Exaggerated exaggeration to make a point
counter
to offer an opposing argument or view
onomatopoeia
A word with a sound that echoes its meaning
metaphor
A direct comparison of two unlike things NOT using the simile words
personification
Words or phrases that assign human qualities or characteristics to nonhuman things
alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words close together
Your experience on this site will be improved by allowing cookies.