NSW HSC Minimum Standard Reading key terms

The most important point a text is making about its topic. It is broader than a single detail and is often stated near the beginning or end of a paragraph.

A sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that names the paragraph's main point. The other sentences in the paragraph explain, prove, or illustrate it.

A fact, example, reason, or statistic that backs up a main idea. Removing supporting details usually leaves the main idea standing but unsupported.

A conclusion a reader draws by combining clues in the text with everyday knowledge. The answer is not written word for word, but the text strongly suggests it.

Words, facts, or examples in a text that support a claim or answer. When a question asks why you think something, you point to evidence from the passage.

Information in the sentences around an unfamiliar word that helps you work out its meaning. Clues include definitions, examples, contrasts, and the general sense of the passage.

A word with a meaning close to another word, such as 'begin' and 'start'. Recognising synonyms helps you match ideas across a question and a passage.

A word with the opposite meaning to another word, such as 'expand' and 'shrink'. Contrast clues often signal an antonym is nearby, using words like 'but' or 'unlike'.

A short restatement of a text's key points in your own words. A good summary leaves out minor details and examples and keeps the main ideas.

To restate a passage's meaning using different words while keeping the same sense. Paraphrasing shows understanding and avoids copying the original wording.

Exact words copied from a text, usually placed in quotation marks. Quotations must match the source word for word and are used to support a point.

The reason a writer produced a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or instruct. Purpose shapes the tone, structure, and amount of detail used.

The people a text is written for. Writers choose vocabulary, tone, and layout to suit their audience, whether that is children, customers, or experts.

The attitude a writer shows towards the subject, such as serious, friendly, sarcastic, or urgent. Tone is revealed through word choice and sentence style.

The level of formality in language, ranging from casual chat to formal writing. Register changes with audience and situation, affecting word choice and grammar.

The category a piece of writing belongs to, such as a news report, recipe, letter, or review. Each type has typical features and layout conventions.

The large title printed above a news article. It summarises the story in a few words, often using short or vivid language to attract attention.

A smaller title within a longer text that labels a section. Subheadings help readers scan and show how the information is organised.

A short line of text placed beside or beneath a picture to explain what it shows. Captions link images to the surrounding information.

The order in which events or steps happen in a text. Signal words such as 'first', 'then', and 'finally' make the sequence clear.

Arranging information by time, from earliest to latest or the reverse. It is common in recounts, histories, and instructions.

A text that tells the reader how to do something, usually through numbered or ordered steps. Recipes and manuals are common examples.

A direction telling the reader what to do, often written as a command. Instructions usually appear as short, clear steps in a set order.

A relationship where one event makes another happen. Words like 'because', 'so', and 'as a result' signal this link in a text.

A way of organising information that shows how things are alike and how they differ. Signal words include 'similarly', 'both', 'however', and 'whereas'.

A statement that can be checked and proven true or false. Facts are different from opinions, which express a person's view or feeling.

A statement of belief, judgement, or feeling rather than something provable. Opinion words include 'best', 'should', and 'beautiful'.

Writing that aims to change the reader's view or prompt action. It uses reasons, evidence, and emotive language to convince the audience.

An unfair leaning towards one side of an issue, shown by what a text includes, leaves out, or emphasises. Bias can be subtle or obvious.

Reading quickly to find a specific piece of information, such as a date or a name. The eyes move over the text without reading every word.

Reading quickly to get the general sense of a text. Readers look at headings, first sentences, and key words rather than every detail.

A group of words that expresses a complete thought, with a subject and a verb. In writing, sentences begin with a capital letter and end with punctuation.

A group of connected sentences about one main idea. Paragraphs usually start on a new line and help readers follow the structure of a text.

Marks such as full stops, commas, question marks, and apostrophes that guide reading. They show where sentences end and how ideas are grouped.

The large form of a letter, used at the start of sentences and for proper nouns such as names of people and places.

Writing words with the correct letters in the correct order. Correct spelling helps readers recognise words quickly and shows care in writing.

A number out of one hundred, shown with the percent sign. For example, 25% means 25 parts in every 100, which is the same as one quarter.

A way of showing part of a whole, written as one number over another, such as 3/4. The bottom number tells how many equal parts the whole is divided into.

A number written using a decimal point to show parts of a whole, such as 2.75. The digits after the point stand for tenths, hundredths, and so on.

A comparison of two or more quantities, often written with a colon, such as 2:3. It shows how much of one thing there is compared with another.

A single value that represents a set of numbers, usually found by adding them and dividing by how many there are. Also called the mean.

A diagram that shows numerical information visually, using bars, lines, or slices. Graphs make patterns and comparisons easier to see than lists of numbers.

Information arranged in rows and columns so it can be compared easily. Headings label each row and column to show what the numbers mean.

The numbers along the side or bottom of a graph that show what each step represents. Reading the scale correctly is needed to interpret values.