Central Idea
The main point an author is making about a topic; the author’s primary message.
What is central idea?
“Sand castles do not last long on an ocean beach. The water levels change with the tide. When the tide is low, the waves don’t come all the way up the beach. What the tide comes in, at high tide, the water comes further up the beach. As a result, sand castles get destroyed by the strong waves.”
What is cause and effect?
These are important texts that have influenced the nation and provided a basis for its further development.
What are seminal documents?
What happens in the story; establishing a sequence of events that tell the tale.
What it is called when the author tells the audience things about the character.
The author’s position on a topic or issue, which is based on knowledge, experience, and evidence
What is a claim?
“In northern areas, the weather is too cold to grow crops all year long. But some farmers have found a way to grow food all year. A greenhouse is a special building that stays warm in the winter. Crops like lettuce and basil can grow well in the greenhouse, even when the weather is cold!”
What is problem and solution?
These are the three rhetorical appeals.
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
The general idea or insight about life that a story reveals.
What is a theme?
What it is called when the author uses details and situations within the text to reveal elements of the character’s personality.
What is indirect characterization?
The sentence that introduces the main argument or point of view of a composition
What is a thesis?
“The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds. Both have crests on their heads, and both are often seen at birdfeeders. But the birds do have some differences. The male cardinal is a bright red, while the waxwing is brown. The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.”
What is compare and contrast?
This is the seminal document that contents the Bill of Rights.
What is the Constitution?
This was the climax of Romeo and Juliet.
What is when Romeo killed Tybalt and was banished?
A character that experiences an essential change in personality or attitude over the course of the text.
What is a dynamic character?
A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
What is an inference?
“Coral snakes are distinguished by their red, yellow/white, and black colored banding. Most species are small in size. North American species average around 3 feet in length, but specimens of up to 5 feet or larger have been reported.”
What is descriptive?
The rhetorical appeal used in this section of the Declaration of Independence:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
What is Ethos?
The story we read with themes like "unchecked power breeds corruption" and "an uneducated society is easily manipulated."
What is Animal Farm?
A character that does not change or develop beyond the way in which she or he is first presented.
What is a static character?
The author's intent for writing their piece. It could be to amuse, persuade, or inform.
What is the author's purpose?
“Through the ages, Pennsylvania has seen many interesting events. The state was founded in 1681 by William Penn. Later, Pennsylvania was the site of important Revolutionary War battles. After that, Pennsylvania was home to new factories during the Industrial Revolution.”
What is chronological?
The rhetorical appeal used in this section of the "I Have a Dream" speech:
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today."
What is Pathos?
The story we read with themes like "love conquers hate" and "impulsivity breeds dire consequences."
What is The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet?
A character that is often the villain who actively opposes or contends with the protagonist. They are usually round characters.
What is an antagonist?