TASC English Inquiry key terms

The most important point a passage makes about its topic, stated or implied. It summarizes what the whole text is mostly about rather than one detail.

A fact, example, reason, or statistic that explains, proves, or develops a main idea. Details answer who, what, when, where, why, or how within a passage.

A brief restatement of a text's central points in your own words, leaving out minor details. A good summary keeps the author's meaning without adding opinion.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in a text plus what you already know. It is not stated directly, but the text gives enough clues to support it logically.

Information stated directly and plainly in a passage, so a reader can point to the exact words. It requires no guessing beyond what is written.

Specific words, sentences, or data from a passage used to justify an answer or claim. Quoting or citing evidence shows that a conclusion rests on the text itself.

The position or argument an author wants readers to accept, often stated in an introduction or conclusion. Other sentences in the text work to support it.

The reason an author writes a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Purpose shapes the tone, structure, and details an author chooses.

The attitude an author expresses toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and sentence style. Tone might be serious, humorous, critical, or hopeful.

The perspective from which a text is told, such as first person, third person limited, or third person omniscient. It affects what information the reader can access.

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. For example, 'slim' sounds more positive than 'skinny' even though both describe low weight.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, separate from any emotional shading. Denotation is the neutral core meaning that connotation builds upon.

The way an author organizes information, such as cause and effect, comparison, chronological order, or problem and solution. Structure guides how ideas connect and unfold.

A word or phrase that signals how ideas relate, such as 'however,' 'therefore,' 'first,' or 'similarly.' Transitions show contrast, cause, sequence, or addition between sentences.

Language that departs from literal meaning to create vivid comparison or effect, including metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole. It shapes tone and imagery in a text.

A direct comparison that states one thing is another without using 'like' or 'as,' such as 'the classroom was a zoo.' It highlights shared qualities between unlike things.

A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as,' such as 'her voice was smooth as silk.' It clarifies a quality by linking it to something familiar.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses to create a picture or feeling for the reader. Imagery often relies on sensory adjectives and figurative comparisons.

A leaning toward one side of an issue that affects how information is presented or selected. Biased texts may omit facts, load language, or unfairly favor a viewpoint.

The degree to which a source or author can be trusted to provide accurate information. Credibility depends on expertise, evidence, honesty, and freedom from hidden interests.

How dependable a source is for accurate, current, and well-supported information. Reliable sources cite evidence, are written by qualified authors, and can be checked.

A reasoned position supported by evidence and logical reasoning, often addressing opposing views. An argument aims to persuade readers that a claim is valid.

An opposing viewpoint that challenges an author's argument. Strong writers acknowledge counterclaims and respond to them with evidence or reasoning.

A response that answers or refutes a counterclaim by showing why it is weak or incomplete. A rebuttal strengthens an argument by addressing objections directly.

A flaw in reasoning that makes an argument unreliable, such as attacking a person instead of an idea. Fallacies can make weak claims sound convincing to careless readers.

A single sentence that states the main claim of an essay and previews how it will be supported. It usually appears near the end of the introduction.

The sentence that introduces the focus of a paragraph, usually placed first. It connects the paragraph's details to the larger thesis of the essay.

A group of related sentences developing one idea, set off by indentation or spacing. A well-built paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting details, and a closing link.

The quality of writing that flows logically so readers can follow ideas easily. Coherence comes from clear organization, consistent focus, and effective transitions.

The stage of writing in which an author rethinks content, organization, and clarity rather than just fixing surface errors. Revision may involve adding, cutting, or reordering ideas.

The stage of writing focused on correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word choice. Editing polishes a draft after the larger content decisions are settled.

A final careful check for small errors such as typos, missing words, and punctuation slips. Proofreading happens after revision and editing are complete.

Information identifying the source of a fact, quote, or idea, usually including author, title, and date. Citations let readers verify claims and avoid plagiarism.

Presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own without proper credit. It includes copying text, paraphrasing too closely, and failing to cite a source.

Restating a source's idea in your own words and sentence structure while keeping the original meaning. A paraphrase still needs a citation to the source.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, as in 'she runs' versus 'they run.' Interrupting phrases can hide the true subject.

The rule that a pronoun must match its antecedent in number, gender, and person. Singular nouns take singular pronouns, and collective nouns follow specific conventions.

The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to in a sentence. Clear antecedents prevent confusion about who or what a pronoun means.

An incomplete sentence missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. Fragments are often created when a dependent clause stands alone with a period.

Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction. It can be fixed with a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause cannot.

Information in surrounding words or sentences that helps a reader figure out an unfamiliar word's meaning. Clues include definitions, examples, contrasts, and restatements.

Determining a word's meaning from how it is used in a specific passage, since many words have several senses. Context can override the most familiar dictionary meaning.

A word part attached to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning, such as 'un-' in 'unfair.' Knowing common prefixes helps readers decode unfamiliar words.

A word part attached to the end of a base word that changes its meaning or part of speech, such as '-ness' or '-able.' Suffixes often signal whether a word is a noun, verb, or adjective.

The core part of a word that carries its basic meaning and remains after prefixes and suffixes are removed. Recognizing roots helps readers infer the meaning of related words.