Context Clues and Vocab
The Latin root "duc" means to lead. If you "conduct" an orchestra, what are you doing?
What is leading it?
What is the term for using context clues from the text plus your own knowledge to figure out something the author doesn't directly state or make an educated guess?
What is making an inference?
A story that moves from beginning to middle to end in order uses this type of plot development.
What is linear plot development?
The reason an author writes a text—to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain—is called this.
What is author's purpose?
Every response we write needs these three main parts in its structure.
"The teacher will mandate that all students complete the assignment." If "mand" means to order or command, what does "mandate" mean?
What is to order or require something?
If a character slams a door and speaks in short sentences, what can you infer about their emotional state?
What is angry/frustrated/upset?
When an author interrupts the story to show something that happened in the past, this is called what?
What is a flashback?
When an author compares two unlike things throughout an entire poem or passage, this is called an
What is an extended metaphor?
These words or phrases help your writing flow smoothly from one idea to the next.
What are transitions?
In this sentence, what does "reluctant" mean? "She was reluctant to jump in the pool because the water looked very cold."
What is unwilling or hesitant?
When answering a question about a text, you must always include this to support your response.
What is text evidence/quotes from the text?
This technique gives the reader hints about what will happen later in the story.
What is foreshadowing?
This logical fallacy occurs when someone uses their conclusion as evidence for their argument: "This book is popular because everyone likes it."
What is circular reasoning?
The main idea or central argument of an essay is called the _______ statement.
What is thesis, controlling idea or claim?
The root "ast" means star. What does "astronomy" study?
What are stars/space/celestial bodies?
This term means identifying the most important ideas by evaluating which details are essential versus which are minor.
What are key ideas?
If a story starts at the ending, then jumps back to show how events led to that moment, this is an example of what type of plot development?
What is non-linear plot development?
This logical fallacy occurs when someone argues "Everyone else is doing it, so you should too."
What is a bandwagon appeal?
If an author uses chronological order to show how events led to a result, what is the author's purpose for using this text structure?
What is to show cause and effect/to explain how something developed over time?
"The doctor showed empathy for his patient." If "path" means feeling or suffering, what does "empathy" mean?
What is understanding or sharing someone's feelings?
A character says, "I'm fine," but the text mentions trembling hands and avoiding eye contact. What inference can you make, and what evidence supports it?
What is the character is NOT fine/is upset/nervous? (Evidence: trembling hands and avoiding eye contact)
A secondary storyline that runs alongside the main plot is called this.
What is a subplot?
When an author places two opposite ideas next to each other for contrast or effect (like "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"), this technique is called what?
What is juxtaposition?
Identify the error and fix it: "After the game ended. The team celebrated their victory.
What is a fragment or incomplete sentence? (Correct: "After the game ended, the team celebrated their victory.")