Introduction to Reading & Writing Skills – Core Vocabulary

Thirty vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms and concepts from the lecture on reading and writing skills.

Reading

A cognitive process of decoding written symbols to derive and share meaning.

Comprehension

The ability to understand and interpret what is read.

Phonemic Awareness

Recognition that spoken words are made up of individual sounds (phonemes).

Phonics

The relationship between letters and the sounds they represent in words.

Fluency

Reading with speed, accuracy, and proper expression.

Vocabulary

The body of words a person knows and understands.

Pre-reading

Previewing a text, activating background knowledge, and setting a purpose before reading.

During-reading

Making and revising predictions and noting personal reactions while reading.

After-reading

Retelling, answering questions, comparing, and summarising once reading is finished.

Accuracy

The quality of being precise or correct when reading or writing.

Reading Speed

The rate at which a reader can accurately process text.

Skimming

Reading quickly to gain the general idea of a text.

Scanning

Looking rapidly through a text to locate specific information such as names or dates.

Main Idea

The central thought or key message in a paragraph or passage.

Drawing Conclusions

Forming a judgement or opinion based on textual facts and information.

Making Inferences

Reaching a logical assumption based on evidence and prior knowledge.

Summarising

Producing a brief statement that highlights the main points of a text.

Summary

A condensed version of a text stating only its essential ideas.

Paraphrasing

Restating information in one’s own words while retaining the original meaning.

Critical Thinking

Actively analysing, interpreting, and evaluating information to form reasoned judgments.

Intensive Reading

Close, detailed reading aimed at extracting maximum meaning and analysing language use.

Extensive Reading

Reading large amounts for general understanding and enjoyment with minimal dictionary use.

Connotative Meaning

The emotional or cultural associations attached to a word beyond its literal sense.

Conceptual (Denotative) Meaning

The explicit, dictionary definition of a word.

Transitional Expressions

Words or phrases (e.g., however, therefore) that create logical links between ideas.

Coherence

Logical connection of ideas in writing so the text makes sense as a whole.

Cohesion

The grammatical and lexical linking within a text that holds it together.

Background Knowledge

Prior information a reader brings to a text, aiding comprehension.

Supporting Details

Information that develops and clarifies the main idea in a text.

Topic Sentence

A sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph, often at its beginning.