December Benchmark Study Guide
Stage Directions: a writer’s comments that provide readers or actors info about the dialogue
setting, & action in the play
Figurative Language: use of words to affect a meaning other than the usual or literal meaning
of those words (provides deeper meaning)
Quotation: “Words taken directly from the text, and surrounded by quotation marks.”
Protagonist: The Hero/Main Character in a story … experiences opposition from the
Antagonist
Character Development: how a character changes and grows during the course of a story
Historical/Cultural Setting: time, date, place in which a story takes place especially when
history or a particular culture is featured, which contributes to the plot
Dramatic Irony: the audience knows something the characters do not
Theme: lesson or message conveyed
Description: examples or details to support a statement
Strongest Evidence/Best Evidence: while other evidence in a text may be true and helpful, this
evidence provides the most support
Personification: giving human characteristics to an animal or object
Infer/Inference: to make a decision/draw a conclusion based on evidence or knowledge
Author’s Purpose: the reason an author does what he does
Substantiated Opinion: opinion that has been proven, verified, confirmed with facts, data or
research
Unsubstantiated Opinion: opinion that has NOT been proven, verified, confirmed with facts,
data or research
Tone: the author’s attitude (how the author sounds through word choice)
Element: one necessary or basic part of the whole
Thesis/Central Idea: what an essay/article is all about
What are stage directions used to do? To tell how to set the stage, lighting, sound effects, and
other elements of setting. They also guide actors in what tone/volume they should convey.
What are the parts of a short answer response?
Answer the Question – use part of the question as your statement
Provide Proof – use a quote for back up to your answer
Explain Fully – give your opinion or make a connection with a summary statement
What are the parts of a crossover short answer response?
A-P-E-P-E – you will pull quotes from each text (2) and use both to provide proof and explain
each as they work together; please remember your quotation marks