Figurative Language
a phrase that means something different than what the words literally say
“It’s raining cats and dogs”
Idiom
part of a word that is added to the beginning of a root word, changing its meaning
(disrespectful)
Prefix
the most important point that an author is trying to tell the reader in a text, summarizing what the passage is mostly about. should be supported by key details (the cloud)
Main Idea
a story that is made up, or not based on real life
Fiction
the qualities of a character in the story, like whether they are kind, brave, helpful, or sometimes even mean or selfish. what makes a character who they are
Character Traits
A comparison between two things using “like” or “as”
“As cool as a cucumber”
Simile
what you think or believe about something, people use words like "think," "believe," or "like," to express this
Opinion
the perspective or opinion an author has on a topic, how they feel about what they are writing about. Can be found through the evidence they choose to include, the adjectives they use, and the emotion words they use.
Author's Point of View
a true story about a person's life, usually focusing on famous people or individuals who have done great things, providing details about their experiences and achievements
Biography
a word that has the opposite meaning of another word
Antonym
giving human qualities or actions to something that isn't human, like an object or animal, to make writing more interesting and descriptive; it's like pretending a thing can act like a person!
Personification
Also called the base word, the basic part of a word that holds its core meaning
Root Word
one thing happens, which then makes another thing happen; the "cause" is the reason something happens, and the "effect" is what happens as a result of that cause
Cause and Effect
The pictures in a story, help you visualize the story
Where and when a story takes place
Setting
Comparing two things without using “like” or “as”
“He has a heart of gold”
Metaphor
a letter or group of letters added to the end of a root word that changes its meaning
(stoppable)
Suffix
an educated guess about what will happen next in a story based on the clues and information you've read so far
Prediction
a type of writing that uses language to express ideas, feelings, or a story, the structure includes rhyme, meter, and stanzas
Poetry
A descriptive word
Wow that’s a tall tree
Adjective
an exaggeration or unrealistic comparison made to get a point across
Hyperbole
a word that describes an action someone is doing
(jump, run, talk, eat)
Verb
the main message or important life lesson that the author is trying to teach you through the story. Also called the central message!
Theme
a traditional Japanese poem that is made up of three lines. The lines are organized by syllables, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.
Haiku
a short passage taken from a larger work, such as a book, article, poem, or speech
Excerpt