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What is a theme?
The overall message, lesson, or moral of the story
What is an inference?
A prediction based on context clues
What is an argumentative passage?
A passage that argues for something and uses evidence to support claims
What is a claim?
The main argument of an essay or passage
The way an author organizes ideas in a text
Examples: compare and contrast, cause and effect
How long do you have to take the STAAR?
All day
SO SLOW DOWN AND TAKE YOUR TIME
YOU CAN'T GET YOUR PHONES UNTIL THE TEST IS OVER SO DON'T RUSH
What is an informational passage?
A passage that gives information and facts in order to educate
What is situational irony?
A type of irony where something happens that is the opposite of what is expected.
Example - a cop gets a speeding ticket
What is a character foil?
A character (usually a sidekick or enemy) that has opposite traits of the main character
Examples: Robin, Patrick Star
What is editing?
The process of correcting errors in writing
What is a thesis?
A statement about the purpose of your writing.
What is a metaphor?
A comparison of two things NOT using like or as
What is imagery?
The pictures created in your head by the author
What is dramatic irony?
A type of irony where the reader knows something the characters don't
Example - knowing the beast is a prince in Beauty and the Beast
How many points can you get on the ECR (the long writing question)?
5
Up to 3 for your writing and up to 2 for your grammar
What should you do if you don't know a word on the STAAR?
Use your dictionary
What is an oxymoron?
A figure of speech that combines two contradictory words
Examples: jumbo shrimp, small crowd, living dead
What is revision?
The process of improving the quality of writing
What is a simile?
A comparison using like or as
What is verbal irony?
A type of irony where a person says one thing but means another
Example - This is as exciting as watching paint dry.
What is a literary device?
A writing technique used to show meaning, demonstrate ideas, and highlight themes
Examples: personification, similes, rhymes
What is connotation?
The emotions and ideas attached to a word
Examples: She's feeling blue, She was green with envy
To connect two phrases that could be sentences on their own
Example: Let's go to the library to study; it's the only place I can focus.
What is denotation?
The dictionary definition of a word
When do you use commas?
When listing something (cheese, bread, and milk)
Before a FANBOY (I need to go to the bank, but I don't have a ride)
After introductory words (However, organic farming is more expensive than industrial farming)
To connect phrases (I was feeling hungry, so I made myself some dinner)