Reading Key Terms

Anecdote

A short story that illustrates a concept or point and creates a connection between the author and reader.

Argument

A type of text consisting of a claim or a debatable issue, background information, reasoning and evidence, rhetorical appeals, counterclaims, and responses to counterclaims.

Assumption

Supposition of an unstated idea.

Audience

The intended consumers of information.

Authorial intent

The reason an author creates a text; also called the author's purpose.

Bias

Tendency toward or against a preconceived idea.

Blog

A website that is usually informal and independently run.

Chart

A type of diagram that graphically represents data.

Chronological

In order by time.

Claim

A statement made in an argument that something about a topic is true.

Comprehension

Ability to understand.

Conclusion

A deduction made by a reader that takes the details, evidence, and assumptions presented in a text to the next logical step.

Connotation

An implied meaning of a word or idea created by the emotions and assumptions attached to it.

Context

Surrounding words or ideas within a sentence or passage that affect the meaning of a word and influence how it is understood.

Contradiction

A statement, assertion, or instruction in a text that conflicts with information provided elsewhere in the same text.

Counterclaim

A conflicting opinion that an author acknowledges and responds to when making an argument.

Delineate

Describe precisely or set forth accurately in detail.

Denotation

An explicitly stated meaning of a word or idea.

Details

Facts, descriptions, and other types of information that support key points.

Diagram

A symbolic representation used to convey information, especially a drawing that shows an arrangement or relationship among parts.

Evidence

Proof, such as facts, descriptions, and examples, that an author uses to support ideas and reasoning.

Explicit

Describes information that is directly stated in a text.

Fact

A statement or data that can be proven or verified through a reputable source.

Figurative language

Language meant to create imagery, comparison, or an association for the reader, usually through metaphor, simile, or personification.

Footnote

A comment at the bottom of a page that provides additional information about something within the text.

Genre

A group of related writings or other media.

Glossary

A text feature usually found in the back of a book that includes an alphabetical list of key terms and their definitions.

Graph

A type of diagram that displays data mathematically.

Graphic

A diagram, graph, illustration, or other piece of artwork.

Heading

A title within a text, commonly used by authors to organize information.

Identify

Determine a particular idea.

Implicit

Describes ideas that are suggested rather than stated directly in a text.

Imply

Indicate an idea subtly without specifically stating it.

Index

A text feature usually found in the back of a book that provides an alphabetical list of key details and the page numbers where that information can be found.

Inference

A logical assumption or conclusion drawn from evidence, reasoning, and prior knowledge.

Key points

The main ideas or important information in a text.

Logic

Reasoning used to support an idea or conclusion.

Main idea

The central point or most important thought in a text.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using like or as.

Mood

The feeling or atmosphere created by a text.

Objective

Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; based on facts.

Opinion

A personal belief or judgment that may not be proven.

Paraphrase

Restate information in your own words while keeping the original meaning.

Peer-reviewed

Reviewed by experts in the field.

Perspective

The narrator's or author's particular thoughts, feelings, or perceptions about people, ideas, or events.

Persuasive argument

Writing intended to make the reader agree with an idea, thesis, or claim.

Point of view

The perspective from which an author presents information.

Preliminary

Coming before or occurring in preparation for something.

Priorities

The level of importance assigned to tasks or ideas.

Procedure

A series of steps followed in a specific order to complete a task.

Publication

The printing, publishing, and distribution of a text.

Qualitative data

Information describing characteristics that can be observed and recorded but not objectively measured.

Quantitative data

Information that can be measured or compared on a numerical scale.

Query

A question or request for information.

Reasoning

A method or structure used to build a valid argument.

Relevant

Connected to the idea being discussed.

Representation

A portrayal, depiction, or symbol used to represent something.

Research-based

Related to or based on research.

Scale

A range or proportion used to compare or measure something.

Search engine

A software tool used to locate information on the internet or within a digital text.

Search term

A word or group of words used to find information through a search engine.

Secondary source

A source that analyzes or interprets information from primary sources.

Sequence

Logical order or pattern of organization.

Sidebar

A text feature set apart from the main body of a text that provides additional information.

Social commentary

Use of rhetoric or themes to make statements about current social or cultural issues.

Social structure

The systems and relationships between groups in a society.

Stereotype

A simplified categorization of a group based on generalized beliefs.

Structure

Ways of logically organizing ideas to support a larger text.

Subheading

A title of a subdivision of information within a larger section of text.

Superscript

Small characters, usually numbers, set slightly above a line of text.

Support

Tendencies or evidence that reinforce an idea.

Table of contents

A text feature usually found at the front of a book that lists chapters and sections.

Tertiary source

A compilation of primary and secondary sources.

Theme

A broad concept or universal concern that an author addresses through a text.

Topic

The subject of a text.

Transition words

Words that link ideas in a text and help readers understand connections.

Valid

Proven or true.

Viewpoint

An author's beliefs or opinions about a topic.