The Scarlet IbisBy James Hurst

Allusion• A reference to some person,

historical event, literature, work of art, Bible, etc.• Her smile was that of the Mona Lisa,

distant and insecure. • This vacation is like Eden (paradise).

Characterization• A method in which the author

uses to develop the characters (bring them to live).• Pogo’s tongue hung from his

mouth lazily as he walked to get the ball his owner threw to him.

Conflict • A struggle between two or

more opposing forces.• Sam lied to her mother, and

she cried every night because her mother believed that she passed the test.

Diction• The author’s choice of

words.• The young boy “says”• The young boy

“exclaimed”

Imagery

• Description words used to paint a picture in the reader’s mind (involves the five senses)• The snow fluttered down from

the clouds like down feathers from a pillow fight lightly, gently layering a mystical frosted path.

Denotation•Dictionary meaning of the

word•house: a male dwelling

place

Connotation • The social/emotional meaning

attached to the word• Ex: which one sounds warm and

welcoming: house or home?• Home has a more welcome and

warm association rather than house.

Setting• Time and place in which

the events in a narrative take place

Theme • An author’s main message usually told

through the setting, plot, resolution, and characters- usually implied and not directly stated• More than one word• Friendship: a stronger theme would be

Friendship can last a life time through memories

Tone• The author’s attitude,

stated or implied, toward the subject or audience

Situational Irony• The contradiction between

what is expected to happen and what actually does happen

Direct Characterization•Personality and physical

traits are explicitly described

Foreshadowing•Use of hints and details

that predict events

Inciting Incident • Introduces the central

conflict

Indirect Characterization

• A character is developed through the thoughts, actions, words (dialogue), and interactions with other characters

Protagonist • The main character in the

story

Symbol• Something that represents or

stands for something else larger than itself• Ex: Flag=freedom, liberty,

United States

Dramatic Irony• The audience knows more

about the events than the characters know

Verbal Irony•When statements are

made that contrast what is actually meant (sarcasm)