Definitions
a short writing of a passage taken from the beginning, middle, and end of the passage and in order
What is SUMMARY?
I should find the word in the passage, re-read above it all the way to just below it.
What should I do when a question asks the meaning of an underlined word?
When I know the thoughts and feelings of only the narrator I know it is this point of view.
What is first-person point of view?
a synonym for significant
important
The title could tell me this
What is the "main idea" of a passage?
the major problems the character or characters are having in the story
What is the conflict?
Look the word up in the dictionary.
What should I do when I do not understand the meaning of a word in the passage?
When I see an exclamation point at the end of a sentence I know the writer is conveying a specific emotion.
What is "excitement or surprise"?
to convey
What is a synonym for "communicate or make known"?
Reading the questions before I read the story helps me do this.
What is "set a purpose for reading"?
the overall message of the story
What is the theme of the story?
I should go back into the passage and read paragraph 3 to get the context
What should I do when a question says "Read paragraph 3 in the story" and then gives only an excerpt?
When the story uses the first-person point of view (I, me, my) I know it is a certain character.
What is the main character or narrator?
special or one of a kind
This helps me focus on what the question wants me to find in the story and answer choices.
What is circling keywords in the question?
a character's speaking parts
What is dialogue?
go back into the passage, re-read all around the word to get the context used by the author
What should I do when a question gives several dictionary entries for a word and wants to know which definition is used in the passage?
When I see the passage uses "he, him, she, her, they" I know it is this point of view.
What is third-person point of view?
a synonym for the author of a poem
poet
My Mock STAAR test result tells my teacher and administrators this.
Can I pass the real STAAR test?
the author of a play
What is a playwright?
When I get sleepy or anxious about finishing my test I should do this.
What is TAKE A BREAK, EAT A SNACK, GET UP AND MOVE?
I underline the title to help me find this in a question.
What is the main idea of the passage?
synonym for "argumentative"
What is "persuasive"?
I write this beside each paragraph to help me remember what the passage is about.
What is "side writing" or "annotating"?