Vocabulary Unit One

Introduction Words

Epic•Noun•Long narrative poem about adventures of a god or hero and gives a portrait of a culture

Example•The Odyssey

*Myth•Noun•Story, origin of which is unknown, & explains natural phenomenon or culture’s belief

Example•Creation is explained through stories•Tell how life came into existence

*Quest•Noun•A search for immortal life or some kind of secret knowledge

Example•Looking for the fountain of youth

*Archetype•Symbols, images, patterns, appearing in myths, literature, &visual art of many different people

ExampleGood= lightEvil=darknessGarden=paradiseSerpent=evil, temptationsTree= life

hero/heroine•Noun•Person who tends to be bold and resourceful beyond the means of ordinary mortals

Theme •Noun•Central idea, concern or

purpose of a literary work/insight; it gives to life/universal truth or message

Example• Never one word• Explains the message• Remembering preserves the

past and keeps traditions and family alive.

Example

•Odysseus, Batman, Katniss, the protagonist

*Fable•Noun•A brief story, usually with animal characters that teaches a moral or lesson

Example

Irony•Noun•Situation or use of

language that involves a surprising, interesting, or amusing contradiction

Example

•“Work makes you free.”

Paradox•Noun•Situation or statement that seems contradictory but is actually true

Example• No one goes to that restaurant; it’s

always crowded.• “I am a compulsive liar” (do you

believe them or not?)• I am nobody.• You can save money by spending it.

*Folk Tale•Adj/N •Story composed orally then passed down by word of mouth

Example•Oral tradition then recorded

Persona•Noun•Character assumed by the

speaker of the poem, short story, or novel (“the mask” the poet or author uses to tell the poem or story)

Example: what am I?I fly at night in search of preyThe moon lights my wings’ wayBelow the creatures hope and prayThey don’t become my midnight mealIn one swoop, my talons steal A tiny creature of the nightHoot! Hoot! Hoot! I am out of sight

Tone•Noun•Author’s use of attitude toward his/her subject or characters

Example• It’s voting season! The politicians are making

their way through the ends of the nation spreading their views like icing on a cake. Thousands of people have sacrificed their lives so that we have the freedom to vote. It’s a right we have because it’s a right that so many of our country’s people were not allowed to experience, but they fought for the future!

• How does the author feel about voting?