English 1 study Guide

Theme

the central message or lesson in a literally text

Inference

A logical guess based on text evidence and prior knowledge

Tone

The authors attitude toward the subject

Mood

The emotional atmosphere a text creates for the reader

Figurative language

Language that uses comparisons and imagery to suggest deeper meanings

Central idea

The most important point the author is making in an informational text

Setting

Where the story takes place

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses

Personification

Giving human qualities to animals or objects

Simile

Comparison using “like” or “as”

Symbolism

Using an object/symbol to represent a larger idea or concept

Characterization

How an author develops a character/reveals their traits through the story

What should you ask yourself for Theme?

“What’s the message/lesson that the author is trying to convey through the story?” Or “what’s the main idea of the text?”

What should you ask yourself for Character Development?

“How does the character change?” Or “What does the character’s actions reveal?”

What should you look for when searching Figurative Language?

Similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, etc

What does “The moon was a silent guard in the sky” suggest?

A metaphor suggesting peace or stillness

What should you ask yourself for Impact of Setting?

How does the environment shape the characters, plot events, and mood of the story?

What does setting include?

Time, location, conditions

What’s an inference?

A logical conclusion you draw based on context clues and what your own knowledge

How do I make inferences?

Read closely, look for clues, and ask question

What’s one questions you should ask yourself to make inferences?

What does this situation imply, even if it’s not stated outright?

What should you know for combining sentences

Join two short, related sentences using correct punctuation or conjunctions

What should you know for Punctuation?

Use commas, colons, and semicolons correctly in complex sentences

What should you know for Subject-verb agreement?

Make sure subjects and verbs match in number

What should you know for parallel structure?

Use the same grammatical structure in a list or comparison

What should you know for Clear pronoun reference?

Pronouns must clearly refer to a specific noun

What should you know for Avoiding fragments?

A sentence must have a subject and a verb

What are some test taking strategies you should do before reading?

Preview questions, check titles and subheadings

What are some test taking strategies you should do While reading?

Annotate, ask purpose questions, watch for structure

What are some test taking strategies you should do After reading and when answering questions?

Use process of elimination, return to the text, mark and move on

Direct characterization

The author tells the reader directly what a character is like

Indirect characterization

The author shows the characters traits through actions, dialogue, thoughts, and how others react

“The article was informative. It was also persuasive.” → “The article was informative and persuasive”

Example of Combining sentences

“The author supports the claim with three ideas: research, experience, and logic.”

Example of Punctuation

“The students read the article” vs “The student reads the article”

Example of Subject-Verb agreement

“She values reading, writing, and speaking clearly”

Example of Parallel structure

Unclear:”They said it was biased”→Clear:”The reviewers said the article was biased”

Example of Clear pronoun reference

”Because she was tired”→Correct:”She went to bed early because she was tired”

Example of Avoiding fragments