Literary Terms and Concepts

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Analyze

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To examine in detail to understand the structure, meaning, and relationships.

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Author's Purpose

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The reason the author has for writing a text (e.g., to inform, to persuade, to entertain).

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Perspective

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The viewpoint or attitude of the author regarding a particular topic or event.

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Account

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A narrative or report of an event or topic that may vary between different authors.

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Compare

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To identify similarities between two or more texts or authors.

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Contrast

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To identify differences between two or more texts or authors.

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Interpret

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To explain the meaning of something; to understand and explain the significance of an author’s choices.

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Textual Evidence

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Specific examples or quotations from a text that support an analysis or argument.

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Narrative

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The structured format of a story or account that conveys information about an event.

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Cultural Context

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The background and circumstances that influence the creation of a text, including the author's background and societal norms.