12 Powerful Words
To Break down
analyze, analysis
The message or universal truth that the author wants to convey
theme
The words that characters speak in a text; conversation between characters
dialogue
Facts, statistics, details, quotations, or other information that provide support for a claim
evidence
A word or phrase near an unfamiliar term that helps the reader understand what the unfamiliar term means
context clues
Read between the lines
The series of events in a story, including a conflict and resolution
plot
An extended comparison that shows a relationship between two sets of things
analogy
A statement of position or perspective that disagrees with main claim in a text; opposite claim
Counterclaim
The main reason an author has for writing a text
author's purpose
To tell how
explain
The process an author uses to build and expand upon ideas in a text
development
The rate or speed that the action moves in a story
pacing
Facts or details that are important or connect to the author’s claim
relevant evidence
A type of figurative language that uses human characteristics to describe nonhuman things
personification
formulate
The main problem, or tension, in a story that the characters must resolve
conflict
The reason(s) that a character acts
character motivation
Having enough relevant facts or details to support an argument’s claim
sufficient evidence
A type of sentence made up of at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause
complex sentence
List in steps
trace
A scene from the past that gives background about the setting or characters
flashback
To move a story’s plot forward by driving events that keep the reader engaged
propel the action
A response to an opposing argument or counterclaim that attempts to disprove or dismiss it
rebuttal
The meaning suggested or implied by a word; emotional meaning
connotation