Context
clues
Information (such as a
definition, synonym,
antonym, or example) that
appears near a word or
phrase and offers direct or
indirect suggestions about
its meaning.
Synonym
A word having the
same or nearly the
same meaning as
another word.
Antonym
A word having a
meaning
opposite to that
of another word.
Homonym
Words that
have multiple
meanings
Index
Located in the back of a
book, it is an alphabetical
list of important topics that
are covered in the book,
and then lists the pages
where that topic is
explained in the book.
Glossary
A list of
book-specific terms
and definitions that
can also be found at
the end of a book.
Text
Features
Any extra information in a book
that helps you better
understand the text, these
include pictures, illustrations,
diagrams, timelines, graphs,
maps, and charts, among many
others.
Caption
A word or sentence written
next to a picture to
describe more about the
picture. Many times the
information in a caption
will not be found in the
reading passage.
Main
Idea
The main topic that a
reading passage is
about. This main idea is
supported throughout
with supporting details.
Supporting
Details
Facts or details
that support the
main idea.
Inference
Considering all the
information in a passage and
then drawing a conclusion
about what you THINK.
These conclusions MUST be
based on information in the
passage.
Fact
A statement
that can be
proven true.
Conflict
The
problem in
a story.
Plot
What
happens in
a story.
Resolution
How the
problem is
solved in the
story.
Setting
When and
where the story
takes place.
Mood
The feeling that
a passage
evokes in a
reader.
Theme
A lesson that you learn
(take-away ending) after
reading a story.
(Example: Never give
up. OR Hard work pays
off.)
Chararcters
The people
in a story.
Poetry
Writing that activates your
imagination with language
chosen and arranged to
create a emotional
responses through
meaning, sound, and
rhythm.
Rhythm
A flow of rising and
falling sounds in
language produced
in a verse.
Meter
The name that
we give to the
regular, repeating
rhythm of poetry.
Rhyme
Two words used in
lines of poetry in
which the endings
have the same
sound.
Figurative
Language
A poetic use of
language, where
words are used in
non-traditional ways
to express feeling.
Fiction
Stories that
are not
real.
Nonfiction
Reading passages,
articles, or books
that are written
about TRUE topics
and are real.
Cause
The reason
why something
happens.
Effect
What the
result of a
cause is.
Entertain
A reading piece
that you enjoy
reading, and that
makes you want to
keep reading.
Persuade
A reading piece that
tries to convince you
to do something that
the author wants
you to do.
Inform
A reading piece
written to give you
facts and details
about a topic.
Dictionary
A book that contains an
alphabetical list of words
with their definitions,
part of speech, and
pronunciation key.
Thesaurus
A book that contains an
alphabetical list of words
with a list of synonyms
and antonyms for each
word.
Compare
To tell how 2
or more things
are alike.
Contrast
To tell how 2
or more things
are different.
Explain
To fully tell
information
about a topic
through writing.
Describe
To give
details about
a topic.
Passage
A brief portion
of a reading
selection.
Personification
Giving human
characteristics
to non-human
objects.
Simile
A comparison
between two things
that contains the
words like or as.
Metaphor
A comparison
between two things
that does not
contain the words
like or as.
Sequence
The order of
the events
in a story.