8th grade Vocab Lists
These word lists are meant as a resource and a vocabulary overview for readings in our Clarke and Diamond 8th grade literature anthology. I put the short stories first, then poetry and then nonfiction. The page numbers correspond to our red "The Language of Literature" McDougal-Littell anthology. Our teachers use this anthology in a variety of ways -- such as independent short story units or thematic connections to novels -- some use it a lot and others not as much. But the anthology has excellent readings that we all share in common and can use easily, so it's a worthy resource. The definitions given here reflect how these words are used in these readings. (A few other stories that are not in the anthology are represented here since they are used by Diamond teachers each year.)
To get to know sets of these words on Quizlet.com -- an innovative, versatile, and free website -- click on the links by the titles and then export the words into your own account. (Create an account if you need to.) Practice with the flashcards, "Scatter" and Test formats. For kinesthetic learning or practicing with a study partner, you can print flashcards out on paper. If you are online, use the Test format and try selecting the "written" question type, in addition to "multiple choice" or "matching" questions. If you select "prompt with the definition," then you will have the kinesthetic experience of typing out the words each time. (Here is an example.) With a few practice sessions, you'll see how your scores improve. Use the "spaced repetition" technique to avoid cramming for tests and to maximize learning -- if the vocabulary quiz is Friday, for example, review two other nights as well as Thursday night. It works!
Table of Contents:
Short Stories:
The Lie -- Kurt Vonnegut's short story about the social pain of not measuring up to expectations. We can explore irony here, the lies (plural) going on, and how we get to know the characters through the story's third person omniscient point of view. Quizlet set here.
The Treasure of Lemon Brown -- This short story by Walter Dean Myers brings in cultural history about the Blues as an art form. Its main character learns to value his family relationships and personal treasures by witnessing how difficult life can be. Depending on a teacher's focus, it can be a great story for creative writing about something that students treasure. Quizlet set here.
The Tell-Tale Heart -- Poe's classic short story has a famously unreliable narrator. Quizlet set is here.
The Man in the Black Suit -- short story by Stephen King. Quizlet set is here.
The Moustache -- This short story by Robert Cormier is both humorous and touching. Quizlet set is here.
The Apprentice -- This is a wonderful short story by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. It pairs very well with The Moustache, as both narrators are ambivalent -- have mixed feelings -- about growing up. Quizlet set is here.
The Horned Toad -- This short story by Gerald Haslam evokes a rich family life experience when the young narrator's grandmother comes to live with his family in the Southwest. In terms of poignant depictions of the elderly in their final but still very important moments, this is akin to Cormier's The Moustache. The quotation "Not all those who wander are lost" comes to mind. Quizlet set here.
The Gift of the Magi -- This short story by O. Henry is renowned for a situational irony that translates into a spiritual message. O. Henry is a master for his nimble evocation of settings, scenes, and characters -- as well as his twist endings. Quizlet set is here.
The Banana Tree -- James Berry's short story has multicultural qualities, vivid father-son relationships, wild weather, and great personification. Quizlet set is here.
The Dinner Party -- Mona Gardner's engaging short, short story that takes place in colonial India and explores gender stereotypes. Because it is a one page story, it can be read and discussed in the same class. Students can take parts and do the narration. Quizlet set is here.
Otoonah -- An Alaskan myth retold by Robert D. San Souci. This myth features a strong female character who relies on her own inner strength to defend and define herself and challenges traditional gender stereotypes. This story could be well paired with "The Dinner Party" (above) and "Atalanta" from the Greek myths. By the way, while we are on this theme of strong female characters, Atalanta was Amelia Earhart's favorite story. Quizlet set here.
A Mother in Manville -- This short story by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings shows intense projected feelings on both sides, from motherless boy and childless woman. Quizlet set here.
Macavity: The Mystery Cat -- A poem by T.S. Eliot that was a centerpiece in the Broadway musical CATS!, the longest-running musical on Broadway. YouTube video -- set to music, sung, and with CATS! costumes -- here. The poem is on page 406 in the anthology. Quizlet set here. If you like Macavity, I also recommend Skimbleshanks, The Railway Cat, Old Deuteronomy, and Grizabella, The Glamor Cat and, of course, Memory. These are great poems and character sketches!
Poetry:
Nonfiction:
The Flood -- An inspiring nonfiction piece by Ralph Helfer about how his affection-trained wild animals coped in a flood, especially when contrasted to how the fear-trained animals fared. Quizlet set here.
Battle by the Breadfruit Tree -- This hybrid nonfiction piece by Theodore Waldeck takes place in an African veldt.
Though it is nonfiction, it has vivid descriptive passages and it tells a dramatic story about survival. Quizlet set is here.
All Things Bright and Beautiful -- This nonfiction account by James Herriot portrays several memorable veterinarian visits to farms and individuals in England at a time when these doctors made housecalls. A Quizlet set is here.
from Gifted Hands -- a nonfiction excerpt by Ben Carson, M.D., with Cecil Murphey. This is a riveting account of a surgeon's brave interventions on the behalf of three comatose children who were considered to be "facing certain death." This excerpt pairs well with "All Things Bright and Beautiful" -- the three accounts by the traveling veterinarian. Quizlet set here.
Painful Memories of Dating -- Nonfiction "Advice Column" by Dave Barry. As the "Media Connection" offers, this article
uses hyperbole, humorous references to current events (from the 1980s!), and irony. Quizlet set here.
The Clown -- Very funny storylike nonfiction piece by Patrick F. McManus. It has a memoir quality but likely
a lot of hyperbole. This pairs well with Dave Bary's "Painful Memories of Dating." Quizlet set here.
in the 1950s in Mississippi. There's a great contrast between the warm acceptance he feels from his Uncle Cleve and
a white usher at a show who lands an emotional punch with a racist remark. Quizlet set here.
from Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored -- An excerpt from Clifton L. Taulbert's autobiography about growing up
The Inn of Lost Time --
Appetizer --
Flowers for Algernon --