| Term | Definition |
| Orientation | event to get familiar with the surroundings |
| aphorism | short, wise and whitty phrase of truth |
| curriculum | written plan/ outling for a class |
| syllabus | collection of course material, class expecations |
| audiovisual | teaching device that uses sound or video |
| Charlotte | Morrie's wife |
| Janine | Mitch's wife |
| Mitch Albom | author and narrator of the story |
| Connie | nurse |
| Brandeis University | college Morrie and Mitch attended |
| favorite hobby of Morrie | dancing |
| W.H. Auden | Morrie's favorite poet |
| ALS | Amyotrophic Lateral Schlerosis or Lou Gerhig's |
| Morrie's greatest fear | someone will have to wipe his bottom one day |
| significance of the Pink Hibiscus | Morrie's life and how he is slowly dying |