English Language Arts Vocabulary and Strategiesaction - real or fictional events that comprise the subject of a novel, story, poem, or play

active voice - the voice of a verb whose subject performs the action

adjective - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that describes/modifies a noun or pronoun

adverb - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that describes/modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb

affix - a group of letters added to the beginning or end of a word that changes the meaning of the word

alliteration - the repetition of initial consonant sounds in accented syllables

allusion - an indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

alternate claim - an optional or additional claim of fact

analogy - an explanation which compares similar people, places, things, or ideas

analyze - to separate into parts in order to determine what something is or how it works

anecdote - a short account of an interesting or humorous event

apostrophe - (‘) a punctuation mark with three uses: form possessive nouns, show the omission of letters, and/or to indicate certain plurals of lowercase letters

argument - a statement of the major point of a written piece

audience - the person or group for whom a selection is written or performed

author - a person who writes a book, story, article, or another written work

author’s purpose - the reason(s) an author has for writing a selection: to inform, entertain, or persuade

bias – a judgment based on a personal point of view

bibliographic information - sources consulted by a writer while conducting research

biography - narrative writing that tells the story of an important period, experience, or relationship in a person’s life, as reported by another

capitalization - the process of beginning a word or group of words with uppercase or capital letters

cause/effect writing - the expository writing that examines the relationship between events, explaining how one event or situation causes another

chapter - a main division of a book or story

character - a person, thing, or animal in a story, poem, book, play, or movie

chart - a graphic representation of data or information

citation – (noun) the acknowledgement of ideas found in outside resources

cite – (verb) to write or say the words of (a book, author, etc.); to mention (something) especially as an example or to support an idea or opinion

claim - a statement or assertion presented as fact

classification - a grouping by categories

clause - a group of words having its own subject and predicate but forming only part of a complete sentence

close reading – reading with a questioning attitude; the careful, sustained interpretation of a brief passage of text. Such a reading places great emphasis on analysis, paying close attention to individual words, syntax, and the order in which sentences and ideas unfold as they are read.

collaborative discussion - a meaningful conversation with others

comma - (,) a punctuation mark used to separate words or groups of words in sentences

comma splice - this punctuation ERROR occurs when two independent clauses are connected with only a comma

comparison/contrast writing - expository writing that describes similarities and differences between two or more subjects in order to achieve a specific purpose

complex sentence - a sentence containing an independent clause and at least one dependent clause

compound sentence - two sentences joined by a conjunction NOTE: a comma always precedes the conjunction OR the two sentences can be joined by a semicolon (;)

compound-complex sentence - a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses

concluding statement/section - the final sentence or section in a written piece

concrete detail - specific information that is directly stated in text

conditional mood - the form of a verb used to refer to a hypothetical event that is contingent on another set of circumstances

conjunction - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that connects or joins words, phrases, or clauses; coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions

connotation - the meaning of a word based on an association that is implied by the word’s ideas or qualities context - the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage conventions - the expected style of writing based on arbitrary rules or practices recognized as valid in particular arts or disciplines

credible source - a source that is worthy of confidence or belief

dangling modifier - a modifier that is associated with the wrong word

dash - (-) a punctuation mark used to show a pause, break, or omission, or to set off part of a sentence from the rest

definition - a type of writing with the purpose of explaining the meaning of a concrete or abstract word

denotation - the objective meaning of a word independent of other associations the word calls to mind

description - a type of writing with the purpose of providing information in such a way that a person, place, or thing can be seen in the reader’s mind

detail - a small part of a whole; specific information about the main idea

dialogue - a direct conversation between characters

dictionary - a reference book containing an alphabetical listing of words with information given for each word, including the pronunciation and meaning

digital source - an electronic reference used to gather or produce information

diverse format - the arrangement of information in various forms, including visual, quantitative, and oral diverse media - a variety of forms used to communicate information

drama - a written work that tells a story through action or speech and is meant to be acted out

edit - to correct a written work, checking for grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors

editorial – A newspaper or magazine article that gives the opinions of the editors or publishers; an expression of opinion that resembles such an article

elaborate - to extend ideas through the use of facts, descriptions, details, or quotations

ellipsis - (…) a punctuation mark used in writing to show the omission of a word or phrase

essay – a multi-paragraph piece of writing than has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

event sequence - the order in which events occur

evidence - information that shows, proves, or gives reasons for making a judgment

explicit - fully and clearly expressed or defined

fact - information that can be proven true

fantasy story - a story that is a creation of the imagination; a fanciful work of fiction

figurative language - words that create images using language that has a deeper meaning than what the actual words express

figure of speech - an expression in which words are used in unusual or non-literal ways to create vivid or dramatic effects (e.g., metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification)

formal English - language spoken or written according to the rules of English

format - the organization or arrangement of written work

fragment - incomplete sentence

genre - a category used to classify literature

gerund – a verb-like word that end with ~ing and functions in a sentence as a noun

glossary - an alphabetical list of specialized words and definitions

graphics - written or drawn representations

heading - a title, subtitle, or topic at the head of a page, chapter, or section of a printed work

historical novel/account - a written work containing text based on history

imagery – the use of detailed, descriptive wording in writing that helps to create a vivid mental picture

imperative mood - the form of a verb used in direct commands or requests

implicit – meanings which, though unexpressed in the text, may be understood by the reader; implied

indicative mood - the form of a verb used for factual statements and positive beliefs

inference - a conclusion drawn from prior knowledge and evidence or clues

infinitive – the word “to” with a verb-like word that can function in a sentence as a noun, adjective, or adverb

informative/explanatory text - a written selection intended to explain an idea, topic, or process

inquiry - a request for information; a detailed examination of a matter

intensive pronoun - a personal pronoun that included self or selves and emphasizes a noun

interjection - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word or saying used to express emotion

interrogative mood - a form of a verb used for asking questions by inflecting the main verb

in-text citation (noun) referring to the work of others within your text. This method, known as parenthetical citation, involves placing relevant source information in parentheses after a

quote or paraphrase. This info corresponds to the citation listed on your works cited page.

introduction - the opening sentences or paragraphs of a written work in which the writer captures the reader’s attention and/or presents a thesis statement to be developed in the writing

irony - a literary technique that involves surprising, interesting, or amusing contradictions

issue - a subject being discussed or disputed

jargon - words or expressions used within one group, profession, or business

judgment - an opinion or estimate made after careful consideration

key event - the single most important event in a narrative piece

key detail/idea - the single most important part of a whole or a thought

key individual - the single most important character in a literary piece

literary nonfiction - a genre that uses literary style and techniques to create factually accurate narratives

main idea - the most important thought or message in a paragraph or story

medium - a means for sending information; a technique, material, or means of expression available to an artist

memoir - autobiographical writing that provides an account of a writer’s relationship with a person, event, or place

misplaced modifier - a modifier that refers to an unintended word because of its placement in the sentence

mood - the atmosphere of a literary work intended to evoke a certain emotion or feeling from the audience or reader

motive - an emotion or need that causes a person to act in a certain way

multimedia - the combined use of several media, such as sound, video, or text

myth - a story passed down through generations that attempts to explain events in nature

narrated experience/event - writing or speech that tells the events of a story or details of an event

narrative - a story or description of events that may or may not be true

narrator - the person telling a story

nonrestrictive/parenthetical element - a word, phrase, or clause in a sentence that provides additional information but is not needed or does not limit the element modified

noun - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea

nuance - a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, or response

objective case - the form of a noun or pronoun used as the object of any verb, verbal, or preposition, or as the object of an infinitive

objective summary - a succinct, accurate description in the writer’s own words using the content of a source’s text

opinion - a belief based on thoughts or feelings, rather than on facts

opposing claim - a statement or assertion of fact that contends against or offers resistance to the original claim

paragraph - a group of sentences that share a common topic or purpose

parallel structure - using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level.

parentheses - ( ) punctuation marks used to set off asides and explanations when the material is not essential

parenthetical citation – *see in-text citation

paraphrase - (verb) to take information from an outside source and put it into your own words. A paraphrase often has facts and details from the source. Even though you have put most of the writing into your words, you must cite the source.participle – a verb-like word that ends with ~ing, ~ed, ~en, or ~nt and functions in a sentence as an adjective

parts of speech - labels given to words based on their function in a sentence: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection

passive voice - the voice of a verb whose subject receives an action

phrase - a group of words that has meaning but is not a complete sentence: verb phrase, prepositional phrase, appositive phrase, infinitive phrase, participial phrase, gerund phrase

plagiarism - the use of ideas or writings of another author, representing them as one’s original workplan - a step in the writing process used to make decisions about the content of the piece

plot - the plan, scheme, or main story of a literary or dramatic work

poem/poetry - a composition written in verse that often uses rhythm and/or rhyme

point of view/perspective - the position of the narrator in relation to the story derived from the author’s depiction of events and attitude toward the characters

point-proof-purpose – an effective paragraph writing strategy for text dependent analysis questions. This three-part strategy includes making a statement to answer the question, proving the answer with evidence from the text, and explaining the connections.

possessive case - the form of a noun or pronoun used to show ownership

preposition - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that begins a phrase that is used in a sentence to add description

print source - a printed reference used to gather or produce information

pronoun - (one of the eight parts of speech) a word that takes the place of a noun

publish - the final step in the writing process when the writer shares the work with others

pun - a play on words that involves the humorous use of a word to emphasize different meanings or applications

punctuation - marks or symbols used to make the meaning of written material clear

purpose - the intended or desired result of a piece of written or spoken material

quantitative format - pertaining to the description or measurement of number or numerical value

quotation - material that is repeated exactly. quote - (verb) to copy the exact wording from a source. Quotation marks should be used to

indicate that the information is the exact wording from an outside source. When you use quotes inyour writing, you must include an in-text citation to indicate the source of the information.

reflection - considered thoughts on a topic or literary work

research - careful investigation or study of a topic

resolution - an outcome or result of a situation or sequence of events

revise - a step in the writing process used to correct or improve the original work

role - a function or position

root - the base of a word to which prefixes and suffixes may be added, forming a new word with a different meaning

scaffolding - an instructional technique in which a teacher breaks a complex task into small tasks, models the desired learning strategy, provides support as students learn to do the task, and gradually shifts responsibility to the student

scene - a division of an act in a play

section - a part of a written work

sensory language - words in a description that use the five senses

sentence - a group of words that expresses a complete thought

sequence - the order in which events or ideas are arranged

setting - the time and place of a literary work

simple sentence - a sentence with a subject and a verb that produced a complete thought

soliloquy - a monologue spoken by an actor in a play when the character believes himself to be alone

sonnet - a fourteen-line poem with an arrayed rhyme pattern

source - a person, place, or thing that provides information

stanza - a group of lines that makes up a verse of a poem or song

story - a narrative, either real or imaginary, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the audience

structure of the text - the organization or arrangement of ideas in written work (e.g., description, problem/solution, time/order, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, directions)

subjective case - the form of a pronoun used as the subject of a sentence

subjunctive mood - the form of a verb used in subordinate clauses to express a wish, emotion, possibility, judgment, opinion, necessity, or action that has not yet occurred

summarize - (verb) putting the main ideas into your own words. Summaries are significantly shorter than the source and provide a broad overview of the source material. NOTE: Because a summary is in your own words, you do not need a citation.

summary - a brief statement of the main ideas and supporting details presented in a piece of writing

table - a graphic representation of data or information

technical meaning - written or spoken material (with little or no figurative language) that relates to a specialized subject or field

technology - electronic and web-based tools and applications used to access, analyze, and evaluate information

text - the actual words in a written selection

text complexity - the inherent difficulty of reading and comprehending a text combined with consideration of the reader and task variables

text dependent analysis questions - These questions require students to provide evidence from the text and to draw inferences based on what the text says in order to support an analysistextual evidence - words from text that show, prove, or give reasons for making a judgment

theme/central idea - the main or basic idea of a literary selection; a common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a written work

thesaurus - a reference containing words and their synonyms

thesis – a sentence that presents the writer’s claims, main ideas, or central message for an essay. This sentence is usually placed at the end of the introduction paragraph.

tone - the feeling conveyed by a written or spoken work; the attitude an author takes toward the subject of a literary work

topic - the main thought or subject of a written work

traditional stories - stories passed down orally throughout history (e.g., folk tales, myths, legends)

transition - words, phrases, or clauses that connect or move ideas from one subject or division to another

verbal - a word derived from a verb but used as a noun, adjective, or adverb (e.g., gerund, infinitive, participle)

verse - one stanza of a poem or song

visual format - data that can be viewed

word - a unit of language consisting of one or more spoken sounds or written representations

word function - the grammatical role or position occupied by a word in written material

RTW 19 August 2015

25 September 2015

5 November 2015