Sophomore Vocabulary
Week 1
1. Short story-A work of fiction that can be read in one sitting – usually has one major conflict
2. Plot-The chain of events in a story
3. Conflict-Struggle between opposing forces.
4. Style-The way in which a piece of literature is written.
5. Tone-The attitude a writer takes toward a work.
6. Anger – an emotional state that may range from minor irritation to intense rage.
Week 2
7. Moral-A lesson about right or wrong
8. Dynamic Character-A character that changes
9. Static Character-A character that does not change
10. Round Character-a character that reveals more than one side of herself
11. Flat Character-a character that reveals only one side of himself
12. Sharp – harsh; abrupt
Week 3
13. Genre- a category or type of literature
14. Character-a person in the story
15. Setting-time and place the story occurs
16. Fiction-not true
17. Non-Fiction-true
18. Upset – to disturb
Week 4
19. Theme-Central message
20. Author-writer of the story.
21. Point of View-The relationship of the narrator to the story.
22. Allusion-A reference to literature or the real world.
23. Symbol-Something that stand for something else.
24. Silly - foolish, showing a lack of good sense and wisdom; frivolous
Week 5
25. flashback-When the author goes back in time to talk about events
26. dialect-the way a certain group of people speak
27 local color-Details about the specific setting and characters
28. foreshadow-Clues that the author provides about future events.
29. narrator-the person who tells the story
30. Boring - To make weary by being dull, repetitive, or tedious
Week 6
31. Motif-a theme or idea that occurs over and over again
32. novel-a book length work of fiction
33. characterization- how the author reveals the personality of the character
34 author’s purpose-why the writer writes
35. Audience-the person or persons for whom a piece of writing is written
36. Afraid – filled with fear or apprehension
Week 7
37. Rhetorical Question- a question in which no answer is expected
38. persuasion- writing or speech that attempts to convince the reader to think or act in a particular way
39. logos- an appeal to logic
40. ethos-an appeal to ethics
41. pathos- an appeal to emotion
42. Happy - delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing
Week 8
43. Credibility – how believable the audience thinks the writer is
44. argument – reason given to persuade
45. counter argument- an argument made by the other side
46. faulty argument – ineffectively written arguments
47. refutation-to prove to be false
48. Hollow - Without substance or character
Week 9
49. Narrative-writing about an event or series of events.
50. protagonist-the main character or hero
51. antagonist-the person or force that opposes the protagonist
52. dialogue-when two or more characters speak
53. reasoning- to think
54. Joyful - Providing joy and pleasure; cheerful
Week 10
55. Repetition-the reoccurrence of words and/or phrases
56. analogy-comparing two different things to show how they are similar
57. anecdote-a brief story used to illustrate a point
58. irony-when the opposite of what is expected to happen, happens
59. personification-giving human qualities to objects, animals, or ideas
60. Confuse - to perplex or bewilder
Week 11
61. drama-literature meant to be performed on stage.
62. acts-the major divisions of a play
63. scenes-the divisions of an act
64. monologue-when one character speaks
65. soliloquy-When a character is on stage speaking and revealing true feelings (thoughts)
66. sarcasm – witty language used to convey insults or scorn
Week 12
67. Aside-A comment spoken by one character that other characters supposedly do not hear.
68. Dramatic Irony-When the audience knows something the characters do no know
69. Stage Directions-The playwright’s instructions to the director, actors and crew
70. Tragedy-Drama in which a dignified character suffers a tragic downfall- usually end badly
71. Comedy-Drama with a humorous tone-usually ends happily
72. Audacious - Showing willingness to take bold risks; recklessly daring
Week 13
73. Informational Reading-Text encountered on a daily basis that provide information
74. Text Features-Features place within a text to draw attention or emphasize certain points
75. Organizational Patterns-How a piece of writing is organized
76. Visuals-Objects or images placed within the text that appeal to the sense of sight.
77. Captions- Explanations with photos or pictures
78. Vibrant - Pulsing or throbbing with energy or activity
Week 14
79. Poetry-language arranged in lines
80. Rhyme Scheme-The pattern of end rhyme in a poem
81. Stanza-paragraphs within a poem
82 Alliteration-the repetition of beginning consonant sounds
83. Imagery-words and phrases that create sensory experiences for the reader
84. Apologetic – regretfully acknowledging fault or failure
Week 15
85. Abstract Term – an expression which is hard to understand because it cannot be defined
86. Analyze – examine something carefully
87. Cause/ Effect – an action (cause) that brings about a result (effect)
88. Comparison – an examination of two or more things looking for similarities and differences
89. Conclusion – a decision you reach based upon what you have read and learned
90. Childish – indicating a lack of maturity
Week 16
91. Concrete Terms – expressions which have exact, precise meanings
92. Content – subject matter or topics covered
93. Contrast – tell what the differences are between things
94. Essential Information – necessary, most important information
95. Evidence – proof
96. Shocking – very vivid or intense in tone
Week 17
97. Figurative Language – an expression or description that does not mean exactly what it says
98. Generalization – broad statement that is based on a narrower truth or fact
99. Metaphor – comparing two different things without using like or as
100. Hyperbole – a comparison using extreme exaggeration
101. Simile – a comparison using like or as
102. Sentimental – marked or governed by feeling, sensibility, or emotional idealism
Week 18
103. Inference – make a reasonable guess or conclusion based on information
104. Jargon – the language or special terminology used by a particular group of people, often related to their work.
105. Key Idea – the idea that the author is chiefly interested in making
106. Literal – having the precise, stated meaning of a word
107. Non-Literal – not having the exact, stated meaning of a word
108. Peaceful – Undisturbed by strife, turmoil, or disagreement; tranquil.
Week 19
109. Literary Device – use of words with special attention to their sound and meaning to create a desired effect in the reader.
110. Main Idea – the most important idea that is supported by the rest of the paragraph or passage.
111. Motivation – the reasons that people or characters act as they do.
112. Opinion – belief about something that someone could disagree with; not a fact.
113. Paraphrase – a restatement of a text giving the meaning in different words.
114. Zealous – filled with or inspired by intense enthusiasm; devoted
Week 20
115. Position – a firmly held opinion or belief
116. Prediction – an assumption you make about what will happen next based on what has already happened
117. Propaganda – information designed to promote a cause or spread an idea, and usually to damage the other side
118. Resolution – solution to the problem or conflict
119. Supporting Details – facts that support an author’s position or opinion
120. Pitiful – deserving contempt; despicable
Week 21
121. Reflection – careful thought about past events
122. Sequence – one thing after another in logical order
123. Specialized Vocabulary – terms which refer to a certain content area
124. Structure – how a piece of writing is put together
125. Word Choice – selecting the word which best conveys the author’s meaning and attitude, and best fits the intended audience
126. Urgent – calling for haste, immediate action
Week 22
127. Authentic – written for a realistic purpose and audience in a realistic form not merely as a class assignment.
128. Bandwagon – persuasion which claims that something is attracting growing support
129. Connections – links between ideas and thoughts
130. Elaboration – explaining by including important details
131. Evaluate – to consider the quality of something
132. Mocking – Contemptuous or ironic in manner or wit