Exploring vocabulary - Muschla Gary R. 2012

A bolt of lightning
Words for readers and writers

Readers and writers use many of the same words.

1. author (n): a writer

Beverly Cleary is my favorite author.

2. character (n): a person in a story

The lead character in the story was a fifth-grade student.

3. plot (n): a series of events that move a story forward

The story had an exciting plot with a lot of action.

4. fiction (n): a story in which the events and characters are mostly imagined

A novel is an example of fiction.

5. nonfiction (n): writing that is based on facts and not imagination

A true story is an example of nonfiction.

6. setting (n): the times and places where the events of a story happen

The setting of Jacob’s story was a moon base in the future.

7. opening (n): the beginning of a piece of writing; the beginning of a story

Su Lin wrote a new opening for her story.

8. closing (n): the end of a piece of writing; the end of a story; the conclusion

The closing of the story left me feeling sad.

9. detail (n): a trait or part of someone or something

The most memorable detail about the bear was its size.

10. dialogue (n): a conversation between two or more characters

In Ernesto’s story, the dialogue of the characters was very interesting.

Vocabulary tip

Many subjects have a special vocabulary.

32.1 A bolt of lightning

Lightning is one of nature’s most powerful wonders. What is lightning?

To answer the question, find the word for each definition below. Choose your answers from the words that follow each definition. Write the letter of each answer in the space above its definition number at the bottom of the page. Some letters are provided.

1. the beginning of a piece of writing

C. opening

R. dialogue

N. detail

2. a series of events that move a story forward

H. setting

R. plot

S. character

3. a story in which the events and characters are mostly imagined

U. detail

A. fiction

E. nonfiction

4. a conversation between two or more characters

O. setting

Y. detail

E. dialogue

5. the end of a piece of writing; the end of a story

T. closing

K. plot

S. opening

6. a trait or part of someone or something

D. setting

T. detail

M. fiction

7. a person in a story

R. detail

H. dialogue

C. character

8. the times and places where the events of a story happen

I. opening

T. plot

L. setting

9. writing that is based on facts and not imagination

S. fiction

Y. nonfiction

N. closing

10. a writer

S. author

C. dialogue

T. character