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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