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Root Word

The base word you start with before adding prefixes or suffixes. Examples: nonfat - root is fat, toothless - root word is tooth, unsatisfactory - root is satisfactory.

Plot

The base word you start with before adding prefixes or suffixes. Examples: nonfat - root is fat, toothless - root word is tooth, unsatisfactory - root is satisfactory. Root Word the sequence of events in a literary work

Idiom

a common, often used expression that doesn't make sense if you take it literally. Example: Something cost an "arm and a leg" (expensive). Example: Give someone the "cold shoulder" (unfriendly) Example: I was "pulling teeth" (hard) to get the answer.

Analogy

a comparison based on a similarity between things that are otherwise different. Example: Leaf to a Tree (is like) Petal to a Flower. Example: Engine to a Car (is like) Heart to a Human.

Metaphor

a direct comparison of two things, in which they are said to be the same (in some sense) Example: 1). When the freshman boy walked into the senior lunch period it was like swimming with the sharks. 2). The athlete was doing a tightrope walk with her grades and eligibility.

Euphemism

a nonoffensive expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive (instead of saying something mean, you find a nicer way to say basically the same thing).

Affix

a prefix or suffix attached to a root or stem word. Example: predetermine (pre is a prefix), nonessential (non is a prefix). Example: sociology (ology is a suffix), clueless (less is a suffix).

Nuance

a slight or subtle difference in meaning

Contradiction

a statement that is the opposite of another statement

Conflict

an antagonistic relationship that drives the plot of a story or novel

Homonym

are two words that are spelled the same and sound the same, but have different meanings. Example: 1). Are you feeling well today? 2). The boy fell in the well.

Imagery

author uses this to paint a picture for the reader to imagine (appeals to the senses) Example: The sweet fragrant smell of the multicolored flowers. Example: The beautiful fiery colors of the sun se

Connotation

how a word makes you feel, not the dictionary definition. "Negative" or "Positive" connotation.

Cultural Elements

includes language, ideologies, beliefs, values, and norms. These elements help to shape the life of a society.

Inference

judgements or decisions made about things not directly stated in the passage

Figurative language

language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling.

Literal Meaning

the usual or exact meaning of words, phrases or passages

Oxymoron

this is something which seemingly cannot be, yet it is; a contradiction. Example: 1). The car was pretty ugly. 2). The teacher was seriously funny. 3). I ordered jumbo shrimp. 4). There was a deafening silence when the Principal walked into the auditorium.

Conclusion

using pieces of information on a subject to base your opinion or make a decision

Antonym

words with opposite meanings. Examples: achieve-fail, cautious-careless, timid-bold, determined-complaisant

Compare and Contrast

(compare) similarities and (contrast) differences between two (or more) items and ideas within a passage or multiple passages

Perspective

(n.) a writers point of view about a subject influenced by their beliefs or experiences

Context Clues

clues in surrounding text that help the reader determine the meaning of an unknown word. (Read the sentence above and the sentence below when trying to figure out a word.)

Dialogue

conversation between characters in a literary work

Denotation

dictionary definition of a word (D for dictionary)

Characterization

different ways that an author shows readers what a person in a literary selection is like

Chronological Order

events are arranged in the order in which they happened (time order)

Opinion

expression of an author's personal belief. It is not something that can be proven to be true or false

Mood

feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader. the readers imagination and emotion

Logical

feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader. the readers imagination and emotion Mood refers to reasonable and sensible arrangement of ideas and details

Personification

giving of human qualities to an animal, object, or idea. Example: 1). The sun smiled upon us. 2). The water kissed the shore. 3). The pine trees danced with the breeze.

Informational text

real-world writing that presents material that is necessary or valuable to the reader

Implied

suggested but not stated definition

Cause and Effect

the (cause) "why" something happens and the (effect) "what" happened.

Central Argument

the dominant and controlling argument.

Main Ideas

the most important idea of a reading passage

Point of View

the perspective from which a story is told, the way the author lets the readers see and hear the story or information

Author's Purpose

the reason for creating a written work