Arguments and Claims
The point an author is trying to prove
Claim
A reference to a well known person, place or thing.
A guess about a character or situation based on the evidence given.
Inference
The dictionary definition of a word
Denotation
Sentence: Because of the storm, the picnic was postponed until next Saturday.
Question: What does “postponed” most likely mean?
A. Moved to a later time
B. Canceled forever
C. Started early
A. Moved to a later time
The reasons and evidence used to prove the claim
Argument
When something happens that is the opposite of what is expected.
Irony
Liam kept checking his phone during lunch. When it finally buzzed, he read the message, smiled, and quickly shoved the phone into his pocket before the teacher noticed.
Question: What can you infer about why Liam kept checking his phone?
A. He was expecting news that made him excited but needed to hide it.
B. He was bored and wanted something to do during lunch.
C. He was trying to avoid talking to his friends.
A. He was expecting news that made him excited but needed to hide it.
Thoughts/Feelings associated with a word
Connotation
Sentence: The scientist was known for her meticulous notes, with every detail carefully recorded.
Question: What does “meticulous” most likely mean?
A. Careless or messy
B. Extremely careful and precise
C. Quick and sloppy
B. Extremely careful and precise
Find the claim
School uniforms should be required in all middle schools. They reduce distractions and help students focus more on learning. When everyone dresses the same, there is less pressure to wear expensive or trendy clothes. This makes school a fairer place for everyone.
School uniforms should be required in all middle schools.
What does this allusion show?
"He is a real Romeo with the ladies."
That he is a charmer
The classroom was silent except for the scratch of pencils. Maya stared at the blank page in front of her while everyone else was already writing.
Question: What can you infer about how Maya is feeling?
A. She is distracted by noises in the classroom.
B. She hasn’t started yet because she is unsure how to answer.
C. She is waiting for the teacher to give extra instructions.
B. She hasn’t started yet because she is unsure how to answer.
Rate these words from negative to neutral, to positive
house, shack, home
Sentence: The puppy’s boisterous barking woke up the whole neighborhood.
Question: What does “boisterous” most likely mean?
A. Loud and energetic
B. Quiet and sleepy
C. Shy and timid
A. Loud and energetic
Find the claim
Classrooms are full of distractions, from phones to side conversations. It can be hard for students to stay focused on lessons. That’s why schools should enforce stricter phone policies. Fewer interruptions would improve learning.
schools should enforce stricter phone policies
What does the allusion mean?
"That is his Kryptonite."
His weakness
Read the passage:
Show-and-tell was a mandatory part of class when I was in fourth grade. I cannot even tell you how annoying it was. My house, when I was growing up, was a square box with small windows and yellow chipped paint. I wore clothing that my cousins had grown out of, or that my mother bought at discount stores. I had a few toys, but nothing shiny or electronic. I never went on vacations except to Cincinnati, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania one time.
What can we infer about the narrator?
A.They traveled around a lot.
B.They did not have a lot of money.
C. They are from Cincinnati.
D. They like the color yellow.
B.They did not have a lot of money.
Rate these words from negative, to neutral, to positive
relaxed, lazy, unmotivated
lazy, unmotivated, relaxed
Sentence: The hikers moved carefully along the treacherous path, aware of the steep drop on one side.
Give a word to replace "treacherous."
Dangerous, risky
Working in groups teaches students how to listen and compromise. They learn how to share ideas and solve problems together. This is why teamwork should be used more often in classrooms. Collaboration prepares students for real life.
teamwork should be used more often in classrooms
Situational, Dramatic, or Verbal Irony
He was assigned to write an essay about the dangers of social media, and this felt awkward for him because he runs a popular TikTok account.
Situational
I had a simple birthday cake with just a few candles. Everyone else at school seemed to get big parties with games and presents.
What text evidence would lead you to believe
they feel their birthday celebrations are less exciting than others?
simple birthday cake, comparing to everyone else at school
Sentence: The student walked into the room slowly.
Question: Which word would give the sentence a more negative or suspicious connotation?
A. cautiously
B. nervously
C. sneakily
C. sneakily
Sentence: The witness gave a vague description of the suspect, so the police had little to go on.Give a word to replace "vague"
Unclear, not detailed
Students who get enough sleep perform better in school. Studies show that well-rested students have stronger focus and better memory. Teachers also report that tired students participate less in class. Because of this, middle schools should start later in the morning.
Question 1 – Reasons & Evidence
Which detail from the passage best supports the author’s claim that school should start later?
A. Students who get enough sleep perform better in school.
B. Studies show that well-rested students have stronger focus and better memory.
C. Teachers also report that tired students participate less in class.
D. Middle schools should start later in the morning.
B. Studies show that well-rested students have stronger focus and better memory.
Verbal, Situational or Dramatic Irony
She looked at the soaked classroom after the ceiling leaked all over the desks and said, “Wow, this is the perfect day for a pop quiz.”
Verbal
Maria’s shoes were covered in mud, and her backpack straps were twisted. She slipped quietly into the classroom, glanced around, and took the last empty seat in the back.
Question:
Which piece of text best supports the inference that Maria might be embarrassed or trying not to draw attention to herself?
She slipped quietly into the classroom, glanced around, and took the last empty seat in the back.
Sentence: The politician made a clever comment during the debate.
Question: Which word has a more negative connotation than “clever”?
A. witty
B. sly
C. sharp
B. sly
Sentence: The professor’s lecture was so obscure that most students left the room more confused than when they entered.
Give a word to replace "obscure"
confusing, unclear