Download English Language Arts Vocabulary and Strategies

English Language Arts Vocabulary and Strategies
action - real or fictional events that comprise the subject of a novel, story, poem, or play
active voice - the voice of a verb whose subject performs the action
adjective - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that describes/modifies a noun or pronoun
adverb - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that describes/modifies a verb, adjective, or
other adverb
affix - a group of letters added to the beginning or end of a word that changes the meaning of the word
alliteration - the repetition of initial consonant sounds in accented syllables
allusion - an indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art
alternate claim - an optional or additional claim of fact
analogy - an explanation which compares similar people, places, things, or ideas
analyze - to separate into parts in order to determine what something is or how it works
anecdote - a short account of an interesting or humorous event
apostrophe - (‘) a punctuation mark with three uses: form possessive nouns, show the omission of letters,
and/or to indicate certain plurals of lowercase letters
argument - a statement of the major point of a written piece
audience - the person or group for whom a selection is written or performed
author - a person who writes a book, story, article, or another written work
author’s purpose - the reason(s) an author has for writing a selection: to inform, entertain, or persuade
bias – a judgment based on a personal point of view
bibliographic information - sources consulted by a writer while conducting research
biography - narrative writing that tells the story of an important period, experience, or relationship in a
person’s life, as reported by another
capitalization - the process of beginning a word or group of words with uppercase or capital letters
cause/effect writing - the expository writing that examines the relationship between events, explaining how
one event or situation causes another
chapter - a main division of a book or story
character - a person, thing, or animal in a story, poem, book, play, or movie
chart - a graphic representation of data or information
citation – (noun) the acknowledgement of ideas found in outside resources
cite – (verb) to write or say the words of (a book, author, etc.); to mention (something) especially as an
example or to support an idea or opinion
claim - a statement or assertion presented as fact
classification - a grouping by categories
clause - a group of words having its own subject and predicate but forming only part of a complete sentence
close reading – reading with a questioning attitude; the careful, sustained interpretation of a brief passage of
text. Such a reading places great emphasis on analysis, paying close attention to individual
words, syntax, and the order in which sentences and ideas unfold as they are read.
collaborative discussion - a meaningful conversation with others
comma - (,) a punctuation mark used to separate words or groups of words in sentences
comma splice - this punctuation ERROR occurs when two independent clauses are connected
with only a comma
comparison/contrast writing - expository writing that describes similarities and differences between two or
more subjects in order to achieve a specific purpose
complex sentence - a sentence containing an independent clause and at least one dependent clause
compound sentence - two sentences joined by a conjunction NOTE: a comma always precedes the
conjunction OR the two sentences can be joined by a semicolon (;)
compound-complex sentence - a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses and one or more
dependent clauses
concluding statement/section - the final sentence or section in a written piece
concrete detail - specific information that is directly stated in text
conditional mood - the form of a verb used to refer to a hypothetical event that is contingent on another set of
circumstances
conjunction - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that connects or joins words, phrases, or clauses;
coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions
connotation - the meaning of a word based on an association that is implied by the word’s ideas or qualities
context - the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage
conventions - the expected style of writing based on arbitrary rules or practices recognized as valid in
particular arts or disciplines
credible source - a source that is worthy of confidence or belief
dangling modifier - a modifier that is associated with the wrong word
dash - (-) a punctuation mark used to show a pause, break, or omission, or to set off part of a sentence
from the rest
definition - a type of writing with the purpose of explaining the meaning of a concrete or abstract word
denotation - the objective meaning of a word independent of other associations the word calls to mind
description - a type of writing with the purpose of providing information in such a way that a
person, place, or thing can be seen in the reader’s mind
detail - a small part of a whole; specific information about the main idea
dialogue - a direct conversation between characters
dictionary - a reference book containing an alphabetical listing of words with information given for each word,
including the pronunciation and meaning
digital source - an electronic reference used to gather or produce information
diverse format - the arrangement of information in various forms, including visual, quantitative, and oral
diverse media - a variety of forms used to communicate information
drama - a written work that tells a story through action or speech and is meant to be acted out
edit - to correct a written work, checking for grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors
editorial – A newspaper or magazine article that gives the opinions of the editors or publishers; an expression
of opinion that resembles such an article
elaborate - to extend ideas through the use of facts, descriptions, details, or quotations
ellipsis - (…) a punctuation mark used in writing to show the omission of a word or phrase
essay – a multi-paragraph piece of writing than has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
event sequence - the order in which events occur
evidence - information that shows, proves, or gives reasons for making a judgment
explicit - fully and clearly expressed or defined
fact - information that can be proven true
fantasy story - a story that is a creation of the imagination; a fanciful work of fiction
figurative language - words that create images using language that has a deeper meaning than what the
actual words express
figure of speech - an expression in which words are used in unusual or non-literal ways to create vivid
or dramatic effects (e.g., metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification)
formal English - language spoken or written according to the rules of English
format - the organization or arrangement of written work
fragment - incomplete sentence
genre - a category used to classify literature
gerund – a verb-like word that end with ~ing and functions in a sentence as a noun
glossary - an alphabetical list of specialized words and definitions
graphics - written or drawn representations
heading - a title, subtitle, or topic at the head of a page, chapter, or section of a printed work
historical novel/account - a written work containing text based on history
imagery – the use of detailed, descriptive wording in writing that helps to create a vivid mental picture
imperative mood - the form of a verb used in direct commands or requests
implicit – meanings which, though unexpressed in the text, may be understood by the reader; implied
indicative mood - the form of a verb used for factual statements and positive beliefs
inference - a conclusion drawn from prior knowledge and evidence or clues
infinitive – the word “to” with a verb-like word that can function in a sentence as a noun, adjective, or adverb
informative/explanatory text - a written selection intended to explain an idea, topic, or process
inquiry - a request for information; a detailed examination of a matter
intensive pronoun - a personal pronoun that included self or selves and emphasizes a noun
interjection - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word or saying used to express emotion
interrogative mood - a form of a verb used for asking questions by inflecting the main verb
in-text citation (noun) referring to the work of others within your text. This method, known as
parenthetical citation, involves placing relevant source information in parentheses after a
quote or paraphrase. This info corresponds to the citation listed on your works cited page.
introduction - the opening sentences or paragraphs of a written work in which the writer captures the reader’s
attention and/or presents a thesis statement to be developed in the writing
irony - a literary technique that involves surprising, interesting, or amusing contradictions
issue - a subject being discussed or disputed
jargon - words or expressions used within one group, profession, or business
judgment - an opinion or estimate made after careful consideration
key event - the single most important event in a narrative piece
key detail/idea - the single most important part of a whole or a thought
key individual - the single most important character in a literary piece
literary nonfiction - a genre that uses literary style and techniques to create factually accurate narratives
main idea - the most important thought or message in a paragraph or story
medium - a means for sending information; a technique, material, or means of expression available to an artist
memoir - autobiographical writing that provides an account of a writer’s relationship with a person, event, or
place
misplaced modifier - a modifier that refers to an unintended word because of its placement in the sentence
mood - the atmosphere of a literary work intended to evoke a certain emotion or feeling from
the audience or reader
motive - an emotion or need that causes a person to act in a certain way
multimedia - the combined use of several media, such as sound, video, or text
myth - a story passed down through generations that attempts to explain events in nature
narrated experience/event - writing or speech that tells the events of a story or details of an event
narrative - a story or description of events that may or may not be true
narrator - the person telling a story
nonrestrictive/parenthetical element - a word, phrase, or clause in a sentence that provides additional
information but is not needed or does not limit the element modified
noun - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea
nuance - a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, or response
objective case - the form of a noun or pronoun used as the object of any verb, verbal, or preposition, or as the
object of an infinitive
objective summary - a succinct, accurate description in the writer’s own words using the content of a source’s
text
opinion - a belief based on thoughts or feelings, rather than on facts
opposing claim - a statement or assertion of fact that contends against or offers resistance to the original claim
paragraph - a group of sentences that share a common topic or purpose
parallel structure - using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of
importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level.
parentheses - ( ) punctuation marks used to set off asides and explanations when the material is not essential
parenthetical citation – *see in-text citation
paraphrase - (verb) to take information from an outside source and put it into your own words. A paraphrase
often has facts and details from the source. Even though you have put most of the writing into
your words, you must cite the source.
participle – a verb-like word that ends with ~ing, ~ed, ~en, or ~nt and functions in a sentence as an adjective
parts of speech - labels given to words based on their function in a sentence: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective,
adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection
passive voice - the voice of a verb whose subject receives an action
phrase - a group of words that has meaning but is not a complete sentence: verb phrase, prepositional phrase,
appositive phrase, infinitive phrase, participial phrase, gerund phrase
plagiarism - the use of ideas or writings of another author, representing them as one’s original work
plan - a step in the writing process used to make decisions about the content of the piece
plot - the plan, scheme, or main story of a literary or dramatic work
poem/poetry - a composition written in verse that often uses rhythm and/or rhyme
point of view/perspective - the position of the narrator in relation to the story derived from the author’s
depiction of events and attitude toward the characters
point-proof-purpose – an effective paragraph writing strategy for text dependent analysis questions. This
three-part strategy includes making a statement to answer the question, proving the
answer with evidence from the text, and explaining the connections.
possessive case - the form of a noun or pronoun used to show ownership
preposition - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that begins a phrase that is used in a sentence to add
description
print source - a printed reference used to gather or produce information
pronoun - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that takes the place of a noun
publish - the final step in the writing process when the writer shares the work with others
pun - a play on words that involves the humorous use of a word to emphasize different meanings or applications
punctuation - marks or symbols used to make the meaning of written material clear
purpose - the intended or desired result of a piece of written or spoken material
quantitative format - pertaining to the description or measurement of number or numerical value
quotation - material that is repeated exactly.
quote - (verb) to copy the exact wording from a source. Quotation marks should be used to
indicate that the information is the exact wording from an outside source. When you use quotes in
your writing, you must include an in-text citation to indicate the source of the information.
reflection - considered thoughts on a topic or literary work
research - careful investigation or study of a topic
resolution - an outcome or result of a situation or sequence of events
revise - a step in the writing process used to correct or improve the original work
role - a function or position
root - the base of a word to which prefixes and suffixes may be added, forming a new word with a different
meaning
scaffolding - an instructional technique in which a teacher breaks a complex task into small tasks, models the
desired learning strategy, provides support as students learn to do the task, and gradually shifts
responsibility to the student
scene - a division of an act in a play
section - a part of a written work
sensory language - words in a description that use the five senses
sentence - a group of words that expresses a complete thought
sequence - the order in which events or ideas are arranged
setting - the time and place of a literary work
simple sentence - a sentence with a subject and a verb that produced a complete thought
soliloquy - a monologue spoken by an actor in a play when the character believes himself to be alone
sonnet - a fourteen-line poem with an arrayed rhyme pattern
source - a person, place, or thing that provides information
stanza - a group of lines that makes up a verse of a poem or song
story - a narrative, either real or imaginary, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the audience
structure of the text - the organization or arrangement of ideas in written work (e.g., description,
problem/solution, time/order, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, directions)
subjective case - the form of a pronoun used as the subject of a sentence
subjunctive mood - the form of a verb used in subordinate clauses to express a wish, emotion, possibility,
judgment, opinion, necessity, or action that has not yet occurred
summarize - (verb) putting the main ideas into your own words. Summaries are significantly
shorter than the source and provide a broad overview of the source material.
NOTE: Because a summary is in your own words, you do not need a citation.
summary - a brief statement of the main ideas and supporting details presented in a piece of writing
table - a graphic representation of data or information
technical meaning - written or spoken material (with little or no figurative language) that relates to a
specialized subject or field
technology - electronic and web-based tools and applications used to access, analyze, and evaluate information
text - the actual words in a written selection
text complexity - the inherent difficulty of reading and comprehending a text combined with consideration of
the reader and task variables
text dependent analysis questions - These questions require students to provide evidence from the text and to
draw inferences based on what the text says in order to support an analysis
textual evidence - words from text that show, prove, or give reasons for making a judgment
theme/central idea - the main or basic idea of a literary selection; a common thread or repeated idea that is
incorporated throughout a written work
thesaurus - a reference containing words and their synonyms
thesis – a sentence that presents the writer’s claims, main ideas, or central message for an essay. This
sentence is usually placed at the end of the introduction paragraph.
tone - the feeling conveyed by a written or spoken work; the attitude an author takes toward the subject of a
literary work
topic - the main thought or subject of a written work
traditional stories - stories passed down orally throughout history (e.g., folk tales, myths, legends)
transition - words, phrases, or clauses that connect or move ideas from one subject or division to another
verbal - a word derived from a verb but used as a noun, adjective, or adverb (e.g., gerund, infinitive, participle)
verse - one stanza of a poem or song
visual format - data that can be viewed
word - a unit of language consisting of one or more spoken sounds or written representations
word function - the grammatical role or position occupied by a word in written material
RTW
19 August 2015
25 September 2015
5 November 2015