STAAR Vocabulary

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Language that evokes the senses

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Sensory Language: A type of language that helps the reader to experience the text through their senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell).

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Attributing human qualities or characteristics to non-human things

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Personification: A literary device where human traits are given to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract ideas.

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The ultimate resolution of conflict in a story

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Resolution: The part of a story where the main conflict is resolved, and the story comes to a close.

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A description saying one thing has the qualities of another without using 'like' or 'as'

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Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things.

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The reason that an author writes (to inform, persuade, or entertain)

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Author's Purpose: The author's intent behind writing a piece, which can be to inform, persuade, entertain, or express.

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A comparison using 'like' or 'as'

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Simile: A figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'.

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An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally

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Hyperbole: A figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to make a point or show emphasis.

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A common phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning

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Idiom: A phrase or expression that has a meaning different from the literal meaning of the individual words.

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The main idea or central point of a text

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Main Idea: The primary concept or argument that the author wants to convey in a piece of writing.

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Hints or clues in the text that help to understand its meaning

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Context Clues: Words or phrases surrounding an unfamiliar word that help to clarify its meaning.