Download Language Arts Study Guide

Language Arts Study Guide
Prefix A word part that is added to the beginning of
a base word that changes the sense or meaning of
the root or base word (e.g. re-, dis-, com-)
Prefixes and their meanings;
pre- (before, in advance)
post- (after)
mono- (one)
poly- (many)
uni- (one)
bi- (two)
tri- (three)
quad- (four)
co-, com- (together, with)
contra-, counter- (against, opposite)
sub- (under, below)
super-, sur- (over, above, beyond)
un- (not, none)
dis- (not, none)
inter- (between, among)
intra- (within, inside)
circ-, circum- (round, around)
trans- (across, through)
mal- (bad or badly, wrong, ill
mis- (bad or badly, wrong)
re- (again, back)
sym-, syn- (together, same)
hypo- (under, below, less)
hyper- (over, beyond, high)
Figurative Language and Literary Devices
Figurative language -language that communicates
ideas beyond the literal meaning of the words. (ex.)
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Hyperbole
Alliteration-repetition of the same consonants in
lines of poetry or pose (ex.) rough and ready
The repetition of the same or similar sounds (usually
consonants) that are close to one another (e.g. the
timid, tiny tadpole).
Analogy-comparison between two things or ideas
Ex. Cat is to kitten: as dog is to_____.
Hyperbole- extreme exaggeration
Metaphor- comparing two unlike things without
using the words “like” or “ as”
Onomatopoeia- splash ,buzz, hiss, boom
The formation of a word by imitating the natural
sound associated with the object or action. For
example, the "crack" of the bat, or the "twang" of the
guitar strings.
Personification-giving human qualities to something
not human { Sweet face of the moon}
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Suffix A word part that is added to the ending of a
root word and establishes the part of speech of that
word (e.g. the suffix -ly added to immediate, an
adjective, creates the word immediately, an adverb).
Pun--A play on words that sound similar or exactly
the same. Critics with too much time on their hands
use the term from classical rhetoric, paronomasia.
Simile- comparing 2 things using "like" or "as"
Suffixes and their meanings.
-able (able to be)
-less (without)
-ology (study of)
-phobia (fear of)
-ian, -or (a person who)
-ance, -ence (state or quality of)
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Idiom- A phrase or expression that means something
different from what the words actually say. An idiom
is usually understandable to a particular group of
people (e.g. using over his head for doesn’t
understand). For example, "Don't let the cat out of
the bag" means to not tell something one knows, to
keep silent. It’s raining cats and dogs.
Root (Root word) A word or word element to
which prefixes and suffixes may be added to make
other words. For example, to the root graph, the
prefix di- and the suffix –ic can be added to create
the word digraphic.
Image/Imagery- Words and phrases that create vivid
sensory experiences for the reader. Most images are
visual, but imagery may also appeal to the senses of
smell, hearing, taste, or touch. See Style, Sensory
detail.
Literary Reading Terms
Literary Writing- Fictional writing and stories
Character- person in story
Antagonist- rival of hero( Bad guy)
Protagonist- hero or main character
(Good Guy)
Characterization The method a writer uses to
develop characters. There are four basic methods of
revealing character: (a) through a character’s
physical appearance; (b) through his/her own
speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions; (c) through
the speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions of other
characters; and (d) through direct comments by the
narrator about the character.
Types of Writing
*Prose-fiction or nonfiction writing that contains
sentences, paragraphs, and follows grammatical rules
of writing. Does not include poetry or drama writing.
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*Dramatic literature- A form of literature that is
intended to be performed before an audience. Drama
for stage is also called theatre. In a drama, the story is
presented through the dialogue and the actions of the
characters. (Play)
Scenes--a stage setting in a play (ex.) a winter scene
Acts--one of the main divisions of a play
Cast of Characters--to assign parts to actors
Climax-turning point of story
Narrator-the person or voice telling the story.
Conflict- the argument, struggle, or problem in a
story
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Foreshadowing-clues or hints of what is to come
Mood-the feeling or atmosphere
*Poetry- is writing that uses figurative language and
literary devices to evoke emotions in the reader. Is
written in lines and stanzas, and does not follow the
rules of prose, or regular, writing.
Plot- pattern of events in a story; There are five
basic elements in a plot line: (a) exposition; (b)
rising action; (c) climax; (d) falling action; and I
resolution or denouement.
Meter-(sounds) When a rhythmic pattern of stresses
recurs in a poem, it is called meter.
Setting-place and time in a story
a poem or song, esp. at the end of each stanza
Place-location
Time-when a story occurs
Suspense-anticipation of what is to happen
Theme-message or meaning in a story; Sometimes
the theme is directly stated in the work, and
sometimes it is given indirectly. There may be more
than one theme in a given work.
Narrator- person telling story
First person point of view- Story told from I point
of view
Third person point of view- Story told from the
“He, she or they” point of view
Dialogue- conversation between two or more
people
Refrain--a phrase or verse repeated at regular intervals in
Rhythm- the pattern of stressed and unstressed
syllables in a line of poetry. Poets use rhythm to
bring out the musical quality of language, to
emphasize ideas, to create mood, to unify a work, or
to heighten emotional response.
Rhyme-last lines in poetry have same sounds
Rhyme Scheme- in poetry, the pattern in which
rhyme sounds occur in a stanza. Rhyme schemes, for
the purpose of analysis, are usually presented by the
assignment of the same letter of the alphabet to each
similar sound in the stanza. The pattern of a
Spenserian stanza is ababbcbcc.
Stanza- a recurring grouping of two or more verse
lines in terms of length, metrical form, and, often,
rhyme scheme.
Informational Reading Terms
Informational Writing- Nonfiction or factual
writing. Nonfiction-writing about real people,
places, and events.
Text features Various ways of manipulating and
placing text to draw attention to or emphasize
certain points or ideas in narrative (e.g. bolding or
boxing questions, italicizing key vocabulary, listing,
bulleting, numbering).
Graphic Aid —visual representations that
support understanding of text (e.g. webs, t-charts,
Venn diagrams, K-W-L charts).
Diagrams—a drawing, sketch, plan, or chart
that makes something clearer or easier to
understand
Caption—the explanation or description
accompanying a pictorial illustration (as a cartoon
or photograph)
Text structure-The organizational pattern an
author uses to structure the ideas in a text
(e.g. cause/effect, compare/contrast, description,
problem/solution, sequential, goal/action/outcome,
concept/definition, proposition/support).
Compare & Contrast--to describe as similar
or different
Sequence of events- what order things
happened in
Chronological order- in order from first
event to the last event
Spatial order-observing by bottom. left to
the right, inside to outside, East to West, near to far.
The way things appear in the space around them
Cause- the event or reason {Because of rain
(cause), the grass grew (effect)}
Effect- the result (ex.) The speeding
car(cause) crashed (effect).
Fact-can be proven by observation, statistics,
or research (ex.) The car is red.
Opinion- What you think feel or believe
(ex.) Everyone loves vanilla ice cream.
Parts of a Book
Appendix- The extra stuff in the back of the book
Bibliography- sources where the information was
gathered
Glossary- Definitions of words in book
Index-topics, heading, subheadings, people, places,
events & the page they are on; it is usually found in
the back of a book.
Preface-introduction; the introductory remarks of
a speaker or author
Table of Contents-Chapter titles and page numbers
Title page-has title of book, author, copyright, and
publishing company
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Reading Terms
Antonyms—A word which is the opposite of another
word. Large is the antonym of small.
Classification-arrangement into groups by some
criteria.
Context clues --the surrounding words that clarify
the meaning of a story
Propaganda- information which tries to falsely
persuade you or influence you
Valid argument-good logic, solid evidence
Secondary source- a quote or reference that is
quoting or interpreting information from the original
creator of the idea.
Synonym-a word that has a meaning identical with,
or very similar to, another word in the same language
(e.g. in some situations, right is a synonym of
correct).
Dictionary--a reference source in print or electronic
form giving information about the meanings, forms,
pronunciations, uses, and origins of words listed in
alphabetical order
Euphemisms-Mild words{ passed away instead of
died}
Thesaurus--a book of words and their synonyms and
antonyms
Reading Terms Continued
Types of Genre
Homograph One of two or more words spelled
alike but different in meaning and derivation or
pronunciation (e.g. the noun conduct and the verb
conduct). Example: “the bow of a ship” and “a hair
bow”
Genre-a category of literature. The main literary
genres are fiction, nonfiction, poetry, mystery,
fantasy, and drama.
Fiction-a story that is not true
Homonym One of two or more words spelled and
pronounced alike but different in meaning (e.g. the
noun quail and the verb quail). Night/knight,
cents/sense
Nonfiction-true story
Homophone two or more words pronounced alike
but different in meaning or spelling (e.g. the words
to, too, and two). Example: pause and paws, ate and
eight
Autobiography-story of a person's life by that
person
Implied information Content or meaning that is
suggested by text or verbal exchange, but is not
specifically provided.
Inferences- the forming of a conclusion from
premises rather than explicit information provided
in a passage.
Main idea-in informational or expository writing,
the most important thought or overall position. The
main idea or thesis of a piece, written in sentence
form, is supported by details and explanation. The
point the author is making about a topic. Topic and
main idea are not the same.
Biography-written story of a person's life by
someone else
Fantasy- bizarre characters in an exaggerated world
Science Fiction-the future, in other worlds, or
different dimensions of time & space
Mystery-terror plays a controlling point
Romance-passionate love, heroic events, and
extravagant places
Fable- gives a moral story; A short, simple story that
teaches a lesson. A fable usually includes animals
that talk and act like people.
Tall tale- A distinctively American type of humorous
story characterized by exaggeration;Paul Bunyan or
Davy Crockett
Poem-Concentrated words expressing strong feeling
Folk tale- simple story set in the past
Multiple meaning—words that have more than one
meaning. (ex.) blue—color, or a sad feeling
Primary source The original person or text from
which an idea, concept, or research came.
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Writing Terms
Topic sentence--a sentence that states the main
thought of a paragraph
Concluding sentence- a sentence that restates the
topic sentence and sums up the story.
Myth- supernatural characters and events used to
explain religious beliefs; a traditional story passed
down through generations that explains why the
world is the way it is.
Legend-story associated with some people in history
Epic- long poem
Novel- long fictional story, has chapters
Short story-just what it says
Language Arts (Grammar) Study Guide
Kinds of Sentences
Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences
Declarative sentence—makes a statement; tells
something and ends with a period (.)
Imperative sentence—gives a command; tells
someone to do something and ends with a period (.)
Interrogative sentence—ask a question and ends
with a question mark (?)
Exclamatory sentence—shows strong feeling and
ends with an exclamation point (!)
Simple sentence—is one independent clause that
has one subject and one predicate. (ex.) Many officials
marched in the Fourth of July parade.
Clause-a group of words that contains a subject
and a predicate. (ex.) We ate dinner at a restaurant.
Run-on sentence—two or more sentences that run
together incorrectly. (ex.) Electricians often wear
rubber gloves electricity cannot go through rubber.
Complex sentence—consists of one independent
clause and one or more dependent clauses. (ex.) After
I finish my essay (dependent clause), we can take a
walk (independent clause).
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Fragment—a group of words that does not express
a complete thought. (ex.) Ran onto the field by first
base
1. Use a comma to separate the elements in a
series
Example: I like apple, oranges, and bananas.
Compound sentence—consists of two or more
independent clauses separated either by a comma and a
conjunction or by a semicolon. (ex.) I like to fly, but
the rest of my family would rather drive.
Comma Rules
Subject and Predicate
Subject—tells whom or what the sentence is
about. (ex.) The large jet carries many people.
Predicate—the part of a sentence that tells what
the subject does or is. (ex.) The large jet carries
many people.
Simple subject—the main noun or pronoun of a
sentence. (ex.) Mary met at the campsite.
Compound subject—has two separate but equal
nouns or pronouns joined with either the word and or
the word or. (ex.) I hope either Juan or Thomas
receives the award.
Simple Predicate—is the main verb or verb
phrase in a sentence. (ex.) The tallest boys stood at
the end of the line.
Compound Predicate—has two separate but
equal verbs that have the same subject. (ex.) At the
end of the contest, the prize winners will be
interviewed and photographed.
2. Use commas to join two sentences. Use a
comma + a coordinating conjunction (and, but,
for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two independent
clauses.
Example: He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third
base.
3. Use a comma to set off introductory elements,
transitions, and interjections at the beginning
of the sentence.
Example: Running toward third base, he suddenly
realized how stupid he looked.
Example: Wow, we won the game.
Example: Later, we will go to the store.
4. Use a comma to set off extra information in a
sentence.
Example: My son, Austin, is a football player.
5. Use a comma to separate more than one
adjective before the noun.
Example: The small, soft cat is adorable.
6. Use a comma to set off a quotation or said the
quotation
Example: Sally said, “can I have a piece of cake?”
Example: “Can I have a piece of cake,” Sally said
quietly.
7. A comma (,) separates words like yes, and no,
from the rest of a sentence.
Example: Yes, he planned to go on the trip.
Parts of Speech
Adjectives—a word that describes a noun. It can tell
what kind, how many, or which one.
(ex.) We have six apples. (how many)
(ex.) He wore a fancy shirt. (what kind)
(ex.) That girl lives here. (which one)
Adverbs---a word that describes a verb, adjective, or
another adverb by telling how, when where, or to
what degree. (ex.)
How
When
Where
Easily, safely,
Always, soon,
Ahead, here,
slowly, quietly, first, then,
around, nearby,
together, fast,
later, today,
away, out, far,
secretly
next, tomorrow upstairs
To what degree—She sings very well.
Noun—names a person, place, thing, or idea. (ex.)
boy, Six Flags, boat

Common noun—names any person,
place, thing, or idea and begins with a
lowercase letter. (ex.)toy

Proper noun—is the name of a particular
person, place, thing, or idea and begins
with a capital letter. (ex.) Dr. Johnson,
Fourth of July
Pronoun—a word or group of words used in place of
a noun. (ex.) I, you, he she, it, we, they, me us, them
my, mine, ours, that, who, anyone, no one, myself
Preposition—a word that shows the relationship
between a noun or pronoun and other words. (ex.)
about, above, across, at, alongside, besides, beneath,
for, from, in, into, onto, outside, according to, as for
(ex.) Jim went to the store.
Prepositional phrase-- begins with a preposition and
ends with a noun.
(ex.) Above the clouds, it was clear.
Conjunction—joins words or phrases together. (ex.)
Mary and Stan can swim. (ex.) The baby crawls, but
doesn’t walk.
Interjection—shows surprise or expresses strong
feeling. (ex.) Oh! That is wonderful news! or
Wow, we won the game!
Verbs
Verb—a word that shows action or a state of
being. (ex.) The fire burns brightly. It lasts for
hours.
Helping verb—they help other verbs to show past
time. Use the verb has or have. (ex.)Mary has
played the game. The boys have helped her.
Linking verbs—does not show action; it connects
the subject of the sentence to a related noun,
pronoun, or adjective in the predicate. (ex.) am, are,
be been being, was, were (ex.) Helen and Tom were
the candidates for treasurer.
Verbs in present time—tell what is happening
now. (ex.) Rob tosses a ball.
Verbs in past time-- show that an action has
already happened. It usually ends in –ed. (ex.) We
cooked our dinner over a campfire.
Verbs in future time—show action that will take
place at a future time. It usually is formed by adding
will or shall. (ex.) I will see you tomorrow
afternoon. (ex.) Next spring I will plant flowers in
the garden.
Irregular verbs—they do not follow any verb
tense pattern. (ex.)
Present
Past
Past with has,
have, or had
in front
Be
Was. Were
(has)been
Begin
Began
(have) begun
Break
Broke
Broken
Swim
Swam
Swum
Write
Wrote
written
Past Perfect Verb tense- uses “had” and past tense
of verb. Ex: He had jumped off of it before.
Present Perfect Verb tense- uses “has or have” and
past tense of verb. Ex: We has jumped off of it every
day.
Future Perfect Verb tense- uses “will have” and the
past tense of the verb. Ex: He will have jumped off ten
times by Monday.
Double negative - do not use two negative words
together in a sentence. (ex.) Never put none of these
paints on the table. (incorrect) (ex.) Never put any of
these paints on the table. (correct)