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