Determine the meaning of the word
During the demonstration, a skirmish broke out so the police were called to restore order.
Define skirmish
Skirmish- a fight
Millions of people attend the Olympic Games or watch them on television. Because of the Olympics, people can escape the ordinariness of daily life. They identify with someone else’s individual sacrifice and accomplishment. Consequently, the Olympics impact national pride as an athlete’s or a team’s hard-earned victory becomes a nation’s victory. For this reason, there are national medal counts and people keep track of how many medals their country’s athletes have won.
What type of text structure is this?
Cause and Effect
There are great numbers of deer around here. This whole area is great country for hunters and fishermen. There are bears, mountain lions, and coyotes. To the east there are streams full of trout, and there are ducks and geese.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
This area is great for hunting and fishing
What two things do you need to make a strong inference?
Evidence from the text and background information/prior knowledge
What is point of view in a fictional text (story)?
The perspective of the narrator, who is telling the story.
Our sweltering summer days were quickly replaced by the cold flashes of fall.
Define sweltering.
Sweltering- uncomfortably hot
One problem with the modern Olympics is that it has become expensive to operate. Consequently, the city or country that hosts the games often loses money. A stadium, pools, and playing fields must be built for the athletic events, and housing is needed for the international athletes. And all of these facilities are used for only 2 weeks! One solution is not to build new facilities, but to repurpose spaces. That’s what Los Angeles officials did for the 1984 games; they used area colleges and universities as the athletes’ living areas. They also solved the economic drain by charging a fee for companies who wanted to be official sponsors of the games. Companies like McDonald’s paid a lot of money to be part of the Olympics. By so doing, Los Angeles actually made a profit rather than losing money as hosts of the Olympics.
What type of text structure is this?
Problem and Solution
Advertising affects our lives everyday. Brand names are common household words. We start each day using the toothpaste, soap, and breakfast foods promoted by advertisers. Ads have made the cars we drive signs of our success. Our choices of food, dress, and entertainment are swayed by ads. Not one aspect of American life is untouched by advertising.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Everyone is affected by advertising
Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him. He threw his book bag on the floor and plopped onto the couch. After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell asleep with a slice on his stomach and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school the next day, he was noticeably distraught. He balled up his report card and placed it inside a soup can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down in the garbage can and arranged loose pieces of trash over it. As he plopped down on the couch, he let out a sigh and picked up his controller.
Why is Kyle distraught?
He does not like the grades he received on his report card.
This point of view comes directly from a character within the story. They use words such as "I, me, we".
First-Person Point of View
In the fall, the bright foliage is a delight to see. Red, orange, and yellow leaves and vegetation paint the world for our enjoyment.
Define foliage
Foliage- Leaves
The Olympic Games first began as athletic festivals to honor the Greek gods. At that time, the most important festival was held in the valley of Olympia to honor Zeus, the king of the gods. It was the festival that became the Olympic games in 776 B.C. Later, these Games were ended in A.D. 394 by the Roman Emperor who ruled Greece. No Olympic Games were held for more than 1,500 years. Then the modern Olympics began in 1896. Almost 300 male athletes competed in the first modern Olympics. During the games held in 1900, female athletes were allowed to compete. The games have continued every four years since 1896 except during World War II, and they will most likely continue for many years to come.
What type of text structure is this?
Order & Sequence of Events
The attitudes of Americans toward gambling are amazingly contradictory. You may find, for example, that horse racing is legal in your state, but that you cannot legally play poker for money on your front porch; bookies may be prosecuted by state law, but they are supposed to purchase a federal license nonetheless; one church condemns gambling, while another raises money by sponsoring Bingo games. Gambling laws are inconsistent from state to state or even from town to town and are very difficult to enforce.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Gambling laws are inconsistent.
They weren’t on the hook by the phone and they weren’t in her purse. Alison checked the pockets of the jacket she’d worn the day before, but they weren’t there either. She looked at her watch and realized she would be late for work if she didn’t leave soon..
What is Alison looking for?
Her keys
The author or narrator is telling the story but is NOT a part of the story. Use words such a "he, she, they"
Third-Person Point of View
Flooded with spotlights – the focus of all attention – the new Miss America began her year-long reign. She was the cynosure of all eyes for the rest of the evening.
Define cynosure
Cynosure- the focus or center of attention
The Olympic Games are a 2-week celebration featuring thousands of gifted athletes from around the world competing in 28 different disciplines. One of the more popular disciplines during the summer games centers on pool sports. The aquatic events, like diving, swimming, synchronized swimming, water polo, etc., are a favorite of many. Gymnastics is another type of discipline. It consists of trampoline events, artistic gymnastics, as well as rhythmic gymnastics. Additional disciplines include track and field, figure skating, and winter outdoor sports.
What type of text structure is this?
Description
It is often said that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but this isn’t true. Go ask the forest rangers. Rangers who spend their summers as fire-fighters will tell you that every thundershower brings several bolts of lightning to their lookout stations.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Lightning can strike more than once in the same place.
Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was "presentable," as Alice had often said.
What type of relationship do Paul and Alice have?
They are husband and wife
The dew on the grass made my running shoes damp. It didn't bother me. The sound of my feet hitting the street formed a rhythm, a steady pattern of light thumps. I timed my breathing with the rhythm. These sounds filled my head. I thought of nothing other than the next step and keeping my tempo. I soared over the sidewalks like concrete clouds.
What does the narrator seem to care about?
The peace that comes with running.
The lugubrious wails of the gypsies matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the allbut-deserted cemetery.
Define lugubrious
Lugubrious-extremely sad, sorrowful
The modern Olympics is very unlike the ancient Olympic Games. Individual events are different. While there were no swimming races in the ancient games, for example, there were chariot races. There were no female contestants, and all athletes competed in the nude. Of course, the ancient and modern Olympics are also alike in many ways. Some events, such as the javelin and discus throws, are the same. Some people say that cheating, professionalism, and nationalism in the modern games are a disgrace to the Olympic tradition. But according to the ancient Greek writers, there were many cases of cheating, nationalism, and professionalism in their Olympics, too.
What type of text structure is this?
Compare & Contrast
Do you wear glasses? Make sure your glasses fit well. The earpieces should be at eye level. Don’t try to adjust the earpieces yourself. Take your glasses for adjustments to the place you bought them. Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. This will prevent scratches. Keep the lenses clean. A soft cloth is best for cleaning.
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Taking care of glasses involves many steps
Macey's mom noticed that she was squinting as she read her book, which was only a few inches away from her face. She scheduled a doctor's appointment for the next week, and when the doctor said Macey needed glasses, she tried on every single pair in the office. After spending an hour looking at glasses, mom suggested that perhaps she should sleep on it and come back and decide in the morning. Macey agreed, but she kept talking about the pros and cons of each pair all night long.
What can you infer about Macey?
Macy has a hard time making decisions
If you are confused about something in class, don't wait. Raise your hand and ask for help immediately. Do it while your teacher is still explaining the material. Your teacher will probably be happy that you are taking an active part in your education and should attempt to explain the material in a different way. If you are still confused, ask your teacher if he or she is available after class to give you additional instruction. You are worth it. Don't give up on yourself.
What is the author's point of view on asking for help?
Asking for help is important and you should not feel bad about needing help.