Academic Vocab RI.8.1

analyze

to study or examine something in detail by breaking it down into smaller parts to understand its inner nature and relationships

Story: A student studies every night but fails a test because she feels nervous and rushes through the questions.

Question: Analyze why the student failed the test.

Answer: The student failed because she felt nervous and rushed through the questions. Even though she studied, her anxiety caused her to make mistakes.

Remember: Analyze means to look closely, find details, and explain why or how something happens.

analysis

A detailed examination of a complex topic, substance, or system by breaking it down into smaller parts to understand how they work together

The student studied every night, which shows that she prepared for the test. However, she became nervous and rushed through the questions. This suggests that her anxiety affected her ability to think clearly and answer carefully. The story shows that studying is important, but staying calm and managing time during a test are important, too.

explicit

stated or shown clearly, directly, and in full detail, leaving no room for doubt or confusion

A teacher says, “Turn in your homework by Friday at 3:00 p.m.”

Question: What is explicit about the teacher’s directions?

Answer: The teacher clearly states when the homework is due: Friday at 3:00 p.m.

Remember: Explicit means clearly stated, not left for someone to guess.

inference

a conclusion or educated guess reached using evidence, observation, and logical reasoning

Story: Marcus walked into the classroom with wet hair and a dripping jacket. He shook water off his umbrella and sat down.

Question: What can you infer about the weather outside?

Answer: It is probably raining outside because Marcus has wet hair, a dripping jacket, and an umbrella.

Remember: An inference is what conclusion you come to based on clues and what you already know.

textual evidence

any detail, fact, or direct quotation pulled from a verified source and used to support a claim, argument, or analysis

Story:
Jasmine stayed after school every day to practice basketball. She worked on herfree throws anddribbling. During the championship game, she scored the winningbasket.

Question: What shows that Jasmine worked hard to become a better basketballplayer?

Answer: Jasmine worked hard because “she stayed after school every day topractice basketball.”

Textual Evidence: “She stayed after school every day to practice basketball.”

Remember: Textual evidence means using proof from the text to support youranswer.

generalizations

the process of extracting common properties from specific instances to form a broad concept, statement, or general rule

Story: Three students who studied for their science test earned A's. Each student reviewed notes, practiced vocabulary, and completed a study guide.

Question: What generalization can you make from this information?

Answer: Students who study and prepare for tests are more likely to earn good grades.

Generalization: Students who study and prepare for tests are more likely to earn good grades.

Remember: A generalization is a broad statement based on examples or patterns. Be careful not to assume that it is true for everyone!

accurate

being correct, exact, and free from any mistakes or errors

Situation: A student writes, “The Earth revolves around the Sun once every year.”

Question: Is the student's statement accurate?

Answer: Yes! The statement is accurate because Earth takes about 365 days to orbit the Sun.

Remember: Accurate means correct and based on facts.

concepts

an abstract idea, a general notion, or a mental building block that helps us organize and understand the world

Situation: In science class, students learn about two types of cell division: mitosisand meiosis.

• Mitosis: One cell divides to make two genetically identical cells. This helps thebody grow andrepair damaged tissue.

• Meiosis: One cell divides to produce four genetically different cells with half theusual number ofchromosomes. These cells help produce eggs or sperm.

Question: What are the concepts in this science lesson?

Answer: Mitosis and meiosis are concepts because they are important ideas thathelp us understandhow cells divide, how living things grow, and how organismsreproduce.

Remember: A concept is a big idea that helps you understand a topic.