Reading passages
Opinion
A belief or view about something; cannot be proven
inference
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
Personification
A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes
Explain
A process or procedure
Topic sentence
A sentence, most often appearing at the beginning of a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's idea and often unites it with the work's thesis.
Connotations
All the meanings, associations, or emotions that a word suggests
Primary source
An original document containing the observations, ideas, and conclusions of an individual. It is a firsthand account presented by someone present or actively participating in the event. Examples include manuscripts, photographs, oral histories, and personal journals.
Contrast clues
Antonyms in a passage (ie but, on the other hand; however)
Cause-effect
Author recounts an action and then discussed the resulting effects
Authorial intention
Authors who write w a purpose
Root
Building blocks of the word (Latin or Greek terms; ie bio, dict, geo)
Positive/negative clues
Can tell you whether a word has a positive or negative meaning
Prefixes (affixes)
Elements added to the beginning of a word (ie intra-cellular; over-confident;belli-gerent)
Suffixes (affixes)
Elements added to the end of the word (ie femin-ism)
Technical writing
Explains something (product manual, instructions)
Secondary source
Information gathered by someone who did not take part in or witness an event
Informational (EXPOSITORY) writing
Informs people (newspaper and magazine article)
Comparison-contrast
Juxtaposing two things to highlight their similarities and differences
Supporting details
Reinforce the author's main idea
Restatement clues
Stating the definition of a word in a sentence. Ex: Teachers prefer teaching students with an intrinsic motivation, an internal desire to learn.
Main Idea
Text argument that the author is trying to make about a particular topic
Descriptive
The author describes an idea, object, person, or other item in detail
Topic
The subject of the passage
Simile
Two compare two different things; comparison using "like" or "as" Ex: float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!
Figurative language
Use of a word to imply something other than its definition (ie I feel like a butterfly after a haircut)
Signal words
Words that bring attention to supporting details / ideas. Here are some common signal words: one, to begin with, also, further, first (of all), in addition, furthermore, second(ly), other, next, last (of all), third(ly), another, moreover, and final(ly).
Metaphor
a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action which it is not applicable. Ex: life is a dream; life is like a box of chocolates
Facts
something that actually exists and can be proven true
Narrative writing
tells a story (novel, short story, or play)
Problem-solution
the author presents a problem and offers a solution
Denotation
the literal meaning of a word
Persuade
to convince the reader of their opinion
Entertain
to interest and amuse the reader or tell a story
describe
to say or write down how something or someone looks; to use adjectives in writing
Summary sentence
usually found at the end of the passage ; concludes/sums up point in earlier text
Persuasive writing
writing that attempts to convince the reader or listener to adopt a particular opinion or course of action
