The attitude of the author toward the audience, characters, subject or the work itself (e.g., serious, humorous).
Elements of Fiction
Traits that mark a work as imaginative or narrative discourse (e.g., plot, theme, symbol).
Nonfiction
Text that is not fictional; designed primarily to explain, argue, instruct, or describe rather than entertain. For the most part, its emphasis is factual.
Argument/Position
The position or claim the author establishes. Should be supported with valid evidence and reasoning and balanced by the inclusion of counterarguments that illustrate opposing viewpoints.
Third Person
A perspective in literature, it presents the events of the story from outside of any single character's perception.
Compare/Contrast
Place together characters, situations, or ideas to show common and/or differing features in literary selections.
Opinion
A personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
Plot
The structure of a story. The sequence in which the author arranges events in a story. The structure often includes the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution. It may have a protagonist who is opposed by an antagonist.
Fact
A piece of information provided objectively, presented as true.
Interpret
To give reasons through and explanation to convey and represent the meaning or understanding of a text.