NAME_________________________
Reading – Key Terms
Reading for LITERATURE:
Details – statements that support a central idea, topic or theme
Explicit – information and ideas directly stated in the text
Infer – a logical guess that is based on facts and one’s own knowledge and
experience
Objective – based on fact and not on opinion
Summarize – briefly retell the main ideas of a piece of writing in one’s own words
Theme – the message or lesson the author wants the reader to take away from the
text
Point of View:
Point of View – how a writer chooses to narrate a story
First Person – narrator is in the story and uses pronouns I, me, my
Third Person Limited – narrator is not in the story and uses pronouns he, she, they;
tells the thoughts of only one character
Third Person Omniscient – narrator is not in the story and uses pronouns he, she,
they; has access to all of the characters’ thoughts and feelings
Parts of the Plot Line:
Plot – the series of events in a story
1. Exposition – provides important background information and introduces the
setting and important characters
Characters – people, animals, or imaginary creatures who take part in the
action of a work of literature
Setting – time and place of the action
2. Rising Action – stage of the plot that develops the conflict or struggle
Conflict – struggle between opposing forces
3. Climax – point of greatest interest in a story or play
4. Falling Action – stage of the plot in which the story begins to draw to a close
5. Resolution – outcome of the conflict in a story or play
Reading for INFORMATIONAL TEXT:
Central Idea – most important idea about a topic that a writer or speaker conveys
Infer – a logical guess that is based on facts and one’s own knowledge and
experience
Author’s Purpose – reason why an author has written a text for readers
Persuade – to convince the reader of a certain point of view
Inform – to teach or give information to the reader
Entertain – to hold the attention of the reader through enjoyment