Literary Terms
In an informational passage, this can be supported with key details and evidence.
What is CENTRAL IDEA?
If you are stuck on a test question, one should
What is skip it and return back to the question before turning in your test booklet?
Doing this before you start reading will give you a purpose for reading the text.
What is READ THE QUESTIONS FIRST?
How many paragraphs should our TDA response be?
minimum of 3 paragraphs (introduction, body paragraph, conclusion)
-Elements of START
-What the prompt is asking you to write about
An author writes in order to inform readers about something, persuade them to act, entertain them with humor, etc.
What is AUTHOR'S PURPOSE?
During the week of April 21, everyone is taking the PSSA in this subject.
What is ELA?
When you're sure an answer choice is incorrect, you can do this.
What is PROCESS OF ELIMINATION?
What do we need to include when we quote an author?
A citation
Which sentence in the TDA prompt tells you what to write about?
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Sentence 3
Sentence 2
When a word has a positive or negative feeling attached to it
What is connotation?
What should you get the night before the PSSAs?
A good night's sleep
As you read a passage, doing this helps identify important information, make connections, note main ideas, etc.
What is ANNOTATING THE TEXT?
Opening paragraphs for a TDA should include
hook, summary, thesis statement
When responding to the prompt, what do you need to include?
Evidence from the text
Explanation of evidence
Cite evidence
A general, often universal message about life that an author wants readers to take away from a literary text.
What is THEME?
1. What is SIT QUIETLY?
2. What is READ FOR PLEASURE?
If you're not sure where to begin in a TDA essay, you can always start by doing this.
What is RESTATING THE PROMPT?
What does RACES stand for?
restate, answer, cite, explain, sum it up
How many sentences should your explanation be?
2 sentences explaining what the quote means and how it proves your point
Metaphors, personification, similes are all examples of
What is figurative language?
Everyone in the room has to turn these items in before test materials are distributed.
1. What is SMARTWATCH/APPLE WATCH?
2. What is CELL PHONE?
3. What is ELECTRONIC DEVICE?
A helpful tip for writing a paragraph is to ACE it. Some students struggle with E, which is doing this.
What is EXPLAIN HOW THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS YOUR ANSWER?
What does START stand for?
source, title, author, right verb, topic
How many TDA prompts will be on the PSSAs?
2 - you need to make sure you answer both to the best of your ability!