Functional English Unit 5/9

Language Skills

The abilities involved in effective communication through speaking, listening, reading, and writing

Literary Skills

Abilities to analyse, interpret, and create texts using stylistic, tonal, and figurative techniques

Figure of Speech

A rhetorical device that conveys meaning in a non-literal way to add clarity, emphasis, or originality

Simile

A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as” (e.g., “as brave as a lion”)

Metaphor

A direct comparison stating one thing is another, without “like” or “as” (e.g., “Time is a thief”)

Irony

Language that conveys a meaning opposite to its literal sense, often for humorous or emphatic effect

Situational Irony

When the actual outcome of a situation contrasts sharply with the expected outcome

Verbal Irony

When a speaker says one thing but intends the opposite meaning

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows information that characters in a story do not

Personification

Attributing human traits, feelings, or actions to non-human entities

Hyperbole

Intentional exaggeration for emphasis or humour (e.g., “I’ve told you a million times”)

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighbouring words for rhythmic or musical effect

Idiom

A set expression whose figurative meaning differs from its literal meaning (e.g., “kick the bucket”)

Phrase

A group of words acting as a single unit in a sentence, lacking a full subject-verb relationship

One-Word Substitution

Using a single word to replace a longer phrase for brevity and precision (e.g., “omniscient” for “all-knowing”)

Ambidextrous

Able to use both hands with equal skill

Omnipresent

Existing everywhere at the same time

Philanthropist

A person devoted to promoting the welfare of others, often through generous donations

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time; short-lived

Misanthrope

A person who dislikes and avoids humankind

Antithesis

Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in parallel structures (e.g., “Give me liberty or give me death”)

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words to enhance musicality

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word substituted for one considered harsh or blunt (e.g., “passed away”)

Oxymoron

A figure of speech pairing contradictory terms (e.g., “deafening silence”)

“Break the Ice”

Idiom meaning to initiate conversation and ease tension in a social setting

“Under the Weather”

Idiom meaning feeling ill or unwell

“Bite Off More Than You Can Chew”

Idiom meaning to attempt a task too large to handle

“A Piece of Cake”

Idiom meaning something very easy to do

“On the Same Page”

Phrase meaning to share the same understanding or agreement

Hyperbole (Literary Role)

Used to intensify emotions, add humour, or create vivid imagery in speech and writing

Reading Comprehension

The ability to read, process, and understand text, integrating decoding, vocabulary, structure, inference, and critical analysis.

Skimming

Rapid reading to grasp the gist or main ideas of a text without focusing on detailed information.

Scanning

A technique for locating specific information—such as names, dates, or numbers—within a text quickly.

Critical Reading

Evaluating a text’s arguments, evidence, biases, and implications rather than accepting information at face value.

Inferential Reading

‘Reading between the lines’ to draw conclusions and uncover meanings not explicitly stated.

Active Reading

Interactive engagement with a text through annotating, questioning, and summarizing to deepen comprehension.

Annotating

Adding notes, highlights, or comments in the margins of a text to clarify ideas and aid recall.

Context Clues

Hints within surrounding text that help deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases.

Decoding

Translating written symbols into sounds and words as the first step toward comprehension.

Lexical Understanding

Knowing word meanings and relationships, enabling coherent interpretation of vocabulary in context.

Structural Understanding

Recognizing how sentences and paragraphs are organized to build the overall meaning of a text.

Metacognitive Strategies

Self-reflective techniques—such as goal-setting and monitoring comprehension—used to regulate one’s reading process.

Synthesis

Combining information from multiple sources or parts of a text to form a cohesive overall understanding.

Text Structure

The organizational framework of a passage (e.g., headings, introduction, body, conclusion) that guides comprehension.

Thesis Statement

A sentence that presents the main argument or perspective around which the rest of a text is organized.

Literal Comprehension Question

A question that requires information explicitly stated in the text, typically beginning with who, what, when, or where.

Inference Question

A question that asks the reader to deduce information implied but not directly stated in the passage.

Vocabulary-in-Context Question

An item assessing a reader’s ability to determine the meaning of a word based on surrounding text clues.

Author’s Purpose

The reason an author writes—such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain.

Tone

The author’s attitude or mood conveyed through word choice and writing style.

Main Idea

The central message or primary point that an author wants to convey in a passage.

Supporting Details

Facts, examples, or explanations that reinforce and elaborate on the main idea.

Process of Elimination

A test-taking strategy that narrows multiple-choice options by discarding answers clearly incorrect.

Time Management

Allocating reading and answering time efficiently, giving difficult passages or high-value questions appropriate attention.

Prior Knowledge Activation

Reflecting on what you already know about a topic to create a framework for new information.

Visualization

Creating mental images or diagrams to represent ideas and improve recall and understanding.

Summarizing

Condensing a text’s main points into a concise restatement using one’s own words.

Comparative Reading

Analyzing two or more texts on the same topic to evaluate differing viewpoints, tone, and evidence.

Self-Assessment

Reflective practice in which readers evaluate their own comprehension strengths and areas for improvement.

Essay

A structured piece of writing that presents and supports a thesis to inform or persuade a reader.

Thesis Statement

A single, concise sentence that expresses the main claim or argument of an essay.

Introduction (Essay)

The opening section that hooks the reader, gives background, and states the thesis.

Body Paragraph

A paragraph that develops one main idea supporting the thesis with evidence and analysis.

Conclusion (Essay)

The final section that restates the thesis, summarizes key points, and offers closing insights or calls to action.

Transition

A word or phrase that smoothly connects ideas, sentences, or paragraphs.

Precis

A concise summary that retains the essence, logic, and order of a longer text while omitting details.

Brevity

The quality of expressing much in few words; essential for precis writing.

Clarity

The quality of being easily understood and free from ambiguity.

Coherence

Logical consistency that creates a unified whole in writing.

Objectivity (Precis)

Presenting ideas without personal bias, opinions, or interpretation.

Report

A structured document that informs, analyzes, or recommends based on researched data.

Executive Summary / Abstract

A brief overview of a report’s purpose, methods, key findings, and conclusions.

Methodology

The systematic procedures, tools, and techniques used to gather and analyze data in a report.

Findings / Results

The section of a report that presents collected data or observations without interpretation.

Analysis / Discussion

The part of a report that interprets findings, explains implications, and relates them to objectives.

Recommendations

Actionable suggestions based on a report’s analysis and conclusions.

Formal Letter

A letter written in a prescribed format and formal tone for official or professional purposes.

Informal Letter

A personal letter written in a friendly tone with flexible structure.

Salutation

The greeting at the start of a letter (e.g., "Dear Mr. Smith").

Sign-off / Closing

The courteous ending of a letter (e.g., "Sincerely," "Best regards").

Tone

The writer’s attitude conveyed through word choice and style; can be formal or informal.

Audience

The intended readers who influence a writer’s tone, style, and content.

Evidence

Facts, statistics, examples, or quotations used to support an argument.

Counterargument

A viewpoint that opposes the writer’s position, acknowledged to strengthen an essay’s argument.

Critical Thinking

Objective analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a reasoned judgment.

Conciseness

Using only necessary words to convey an idea effectively.

Proofread

To review writing for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity before finalizing.

Logical Structure

An orderly arrangement of ideas that guides the reader through a text.

Hook (Essay)

An engaging opening device—such as a question or fact—used to capture the reader’s attention.

Executive Summary

A short, standalone section that lets readers grasp an entire report quickly.

Argument

A set of reasons given to persuade others that an idea or action is valid.

Analyse

To examine something in detail by breaking it into parts for explanation or interpretation.

Draft

A preliminary version of a piece of writing to be revised and refined.

Revision

The process of improving content, organization, and clarity after the first draft.

Copywriting

The art and practice of writing persuasive text that promotes products, services, ideas, or brands.

Ad Copy

The written content of an advertisement, crafted to inform, persuade, or engage the target audience.

Audience Targeting

Tailoring ads to specific groups based on demographics, interests, or behaviours to maximise relevance.

Target Audience

The particular group of consumers an advertisement intends to reach and influence.

Brand Identity

The distinct voice, visuals, and values that make a brand recognisable across all marketing channels.

AIDA Model

A copywriting framework guiding readers from Attention to Interest, Desire, and finally Action.