ELA Words to Know

Inference

A conclusion a reader draws based on details in the text; not directly stated in the text

Central Idea

The most important or central thought of a paragraph or larger text, which tells the reader what the text is mainly about

Theme

The underlying message of a story that the author wants to communicate to readers

Convey

To show

Summary

A statement that tells what a text is about

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told

Text Structure

The organization of a text: description, compare/contrast, problem/solution, sequence, chronological, cause/effect, question/answer, etc.

Author's Purpose

The reason an author wrote a text: persuade, inform, entertain, explain, describe, etc.

Conflict

A problem; a struggle between two opposing forces

Trace

To follow the development of an argument or story through a text

Evaluate

Assess the strengths and weaknesses of an argument or text

Claim

A statement that is arguable

Tone

The attitude of a writer towards a subject

Mood

The feelings or emotions a reader has because of a text

Compare

To find the similarities between two or more topics, ideas, or concepts

Contrast

To find the differences between two or more topics, ideas, or concepts

Develop

To elaborate and expand on an idea, topic, or concept

Contribute

Help to cause or bring about

Source

A text or passage used to provide evidence

Chronological

Starts with the earliest event and follows the order in which they occur; time order

Sequence

A particular order in which events, movements, or things follow each other

Elaborate

To include many carefully chosen details to develop a claim or story

Analyze

To study something critically and carefully in order to understand

Illustrate

Explain or make something clear by using examples, reasons, charts, pictures, etc.

Excerpt

A short piece of a longer text, film, song, etc.

Cite

To quote exactly from the source

Propel

to push or drive forward; to move along a plot of a story

Significant

important and meaningful