Karnataka II PUC English (KSEAB) key terms

The central idea or underlying message a poem, story, or essay conveys, such as the dignity of labour or the pain of separation. Candidates state it in one clear sentence and support it with textual evidence.

The main point a passage or lesson communicates as a whole, distinct from minor details. In comprehension answers, it is usually expressed in one or two sentences covering the writer's chief concern.

A conclusion drawn from clues in the text rather than stated directly. Examiners test it by asking what the writer implies, suggests, or wants readers to understand beyond the literal words.

A meaning hinted at rather than openly declared. Recognising it requires reading context and tone, for example noticing that a character's silence signals disapproval even though no one says so.

The attitude a writer adopts towards the subject or reader, such as ironic, nostalgic, indignant, or humorous. It is identified from word choice, sentence length, and punctuation rather than from plot events.

A gap between what is said or expected and what is actually meant or happens. In prescribed poems and prose, it often carries satire, as when a speaker praises something he secretly criticises.

Writing that exposes folly or vice through ridicule, wit, or exaggeration, usually with the aim of correction. Candidates should name the target of the satire and the technique used to attack it.

Descriptive language appealing to the senses that creates a mental picture. In poetry answers, quote the image, name the sense it stirs, and explain how it supports the poem's feeling or argument.

A figure of speech stating that one thing is another without using 'like' or 'as', as in calling old age a winter. The comparison transfers qualities from the vehicle to the subject.

A comparison introduced by 'like' or 'as', for example 'as brave as a lion'. It differs from metaphor only in form; the effect is still to illuminate one thing through another.

Giving human qualities to animals, objects, or abstract ideas, such as a weeping willow or a smiling dawn. It is common in nature poetry and in descriptive prose passages.

Repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words, as in 'slow, silent, sad'. It creates rhythm and emphasis; candidates should quote the repeated sound, not merely label it.

The pattern of end rhymes in a poem, marked with letters such as abab or aabb. Identifying it helps explain stanza structure and the poem's musical or argumentative movement.

A group of lines forming a unit in a poem, separated by a blank line. Questions often ask what each stanza contributes to the development of the poem's thought.

A line or phrase repeated at intervals, often at the end of stanzas, to build rhythm or emphasise a theme. Its repetition usually signals the poem's emotional core.

An object, person, or action that stands for something beyond itself, such as a caged bird for confinement. Candidates should justify the symbolic reading from details inside the text.

The methods a writer uses to build a character, including description, dialogue, action, and others' opinions. Strong answers cite a specific technique and show what it reveals about the person.

The principal character around whom the narrative is organised and whose fortunes hold the reader's attention. Distinguish the protagonist from a mere narrator who may only observe events.

The reasons driving a character's actions, often revealed through dialogue or inner conflict. Exam questions ask why a character behaves as he does, and answers must be traced to the text.

The struggle between opposing forces in a narrative, whether person against person, society, nature, or self. Naming the type of conflict sharpens answers about plot and theme.

The point of greatest tension where the central conflict comes to a head and the outcome turns. It usually precedes the resolution and is a favourite target for plot-order questions.

The final stage in which the conflict is settled and loose ends are tied. In longer fiction, note whether the ending is closed or deliberately ambiguous, and support the claim.

The voice telling the story, who may be a participant or an outside observer. Whether the narrator is reliable and limited shapes how much the reader can trust the account.

The perspective from which a story is told, such as first person, third person limited, or omniscient. It controls what information reaches the reader and how sympathy is directed.

Restating a passage's meaning in one's own words while keeping the sense intact. Unlike summary, it follows the original closely, sentence by sentence, without adding opinion.

A concise restatement of a passage's essential content in a candidate's own words, usually about one-third of the original length. It keeps the order of ideas and omits examples and repetition.

A brief account of the main points of a text, stripped of detail and illustration. Good summaries preserve proportion, giving most space to the writer's chief arguments rather than incidental facts.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's main point. It guides the reader and helps examiners see the structure of an essay or report at a glance.

The quality of a piece of writing in which ideas follow logically and connect clearly, achieved through linking words, pronoun reference, and consistent ordering. Markers reward it as much as grammatical accuracy.

The linking of sentences through connectors, reference words, and repetition so the text holds together. Common devices include 'however', 'therefore', 'this', and 'such' referring backwards.

A word or phrase such as 'moreover', 'nevertheless', or 'as a result' that signals the relation between ideas. Choosing the right connector is a frequent grammar and cloze-test item.

The level of formality suited to a situation, ranging from casual speech to formal official writing. Letters to officials, reports, and essays each demand a different register and vocabulary.

A letter following a set layout with sender's address, date, receiver's designation, salutation, subject, body, and subscription. It avoids contractions and colloquialisms and states its purpose early.

A structured factual account of an event, survey, or problem, usually with a heading, introduction, findings, and conclusion. It is written impersonally, in past tense for events already completed.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as 'to bury the hatchet'. Idioms must be learnt as units and used in the correct grammatical form.

A verb combined with a particle or preposition to yield a new meaning, as in 'put off' or 'give in'. The particle often changes the sense completely, so the pair is learnt together.

The habitual pairing of words that native users expect together, such as 'heavy rain' or 'make a decision'. Wrong partners, like 'do a decision', are marked as errors in usage.

A word opposite in meaning to another, such as 'generous' and 'miserly'. Vocabulary questions often ask for an antonym of a word drawn from a prescribed lesson or unseen passage.

A word closely similar in meaning to another, such as 'brief' and 'concise'. Near-synonyms differ in register or shade of meaning, so context decides which fits a blank.