| A | B |
|---|
| analyze | to break apart a subject, examine each part, and explain the relationship between the parts |
| main idea | the most important idea about a topic that a piece of writing can convey |
| summarize | to briefly retell the main idea of a text in your own words |
| evidence | a specific piece of information that supports a claim |
| reasons | details that tell why an opinion is valid or why something matters |
| supporting details | words, phrases, or sentences that tell more about the main idea or topic sentence |
| paraphrase | to state someone else’s written work in your own words |
| cite | to give credit to the original source of a text or idea |
| topic sentence | a sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph |
| evaluate | to decide the value or worth of a text/source after reading it closely |
| argument | an example of speaking and writing that expresses a position on a problem and supports it with reasons and evidence |
| claim | the writer's position on an issue or problem in an argument |
| examples | specific instances that explain or support a point |
| hypothesis | a possible explanation for a set of observations or an answer to a scientific question; must be testable |
| inferences | judgments based on prior knowledge or experience |
| plot | a series of events in a story |
| setting | the time and place of a story |
| first person point of view | telling of a story by a narrator who is a character in the story and describes his or her own thoughts and feelings |
| third person point of view - omniscient | telling of a story by a narrator who is not a character in the story and reveals the thoughts and feelings of all the characters |
| third person point of view - limited | telling of a story by a narrator who is not a character in the story and he or she tells the thoughts and feelings of only one character |
| exposition | the beginning of a story in which the characters, the setting, and conflict are introduced |
| rising action | plot stage in which a conflict unfolds and becomes more complicated; obstacles prevent the resolution of the conflict |
| climax | most exciting moment and turning point in a story, the outcome of the conflict is decided |
| falling action | plot stage in which suspense eases and the main character begins to resolve the conflict |
| resolution | story ending in which the main conflict is usually solved |
| imagery | language that appeals to the senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste |
| dialogue | a conversation between characters |
| minor character | a person in the story who has little effect on the plot |
| major character | a person in the story who has a strong effect on the plot |
| character traits | qualities that a character has in a story, such as kindness or courage |
| visual elements | found in film & tv - include camera shots & angles |
| connotation | ideas & feelings associated with a word |
| denotation | literal meaning of a word as it would be found in dictionary |
| characterization | way a writer creates & develops characters |
| drama | a play |
| suspense | feeling of excitement & tension as audience wonders what will happen next |
| foreshadowing | hint or clue about something that will be happening later |
| mood | feeling or atmosphere a writer creates for the reader |
| tone | writer's attitude towards subject |
| sequence | the following of one thing after another in some sort of order - also to place in a certain order |
| primary source | a record of events given or created by people who took part in or witnessed the events |
| secondary source | a record of events created second-hand, or long after the fact |
| facts | statements that can be proved |
| opinions | statements that cannot be proved because they express a person's beliefs, feelings, or thoughts |
| reliable | to be able to be trusted as true |
| source | a book, statement, person, etc, that supplies information |
| credible | something or someone is believable, reliable, and/or accurate |
| thesis | states the main idea of an essay and is supported by the entire essay |
| conclude | bring to an end; to finish or complete - also means to think about something and form an opinion |
| compare | to say something is similar to something else |
| contrast | to compare two or more people or things to show how they are different |
| central idea | similar to theme, broad idea, or message conveyed in informational text |
| details | major and minor details that support the main idea by telling how, what, when, where, why, how much, or how many |
| support | to back up with evidence |
