Odisha BSE HSC English SLE key terms

The central idea or message a passage or poem conveys, such as love, loss, freedom or social injustice. Stating it in one sentence shows you understood the whole text, not just a detail.

The main point of a paragraph or passage, usually stated in a topic sentence and supported by the remaining sentences. Distinguishing it from supporting details is the basis of most comprehension questions.

A conclusion drawn from clues in the text rather than from a directly stated fact. Examiners often ask what a writer suggests or implies, so you must combine evidence with reasoning.

To suggest something without saying it directly. When a question asks what the writer implies, look for hints in word choice, contrast or what is left unsaid, then state the meaning clearly.

The writer's attitude towards the subject, revealed through word choice and sentence style. Common labels include ironic, nostalgic, indignant and humorous, and each must be justified with a quotation.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, often through simile, metaphor or personification. In poetry questions you are usually asked to explain what picture the image creates and why it is effective.

A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as', for example 'as brave as a lion'. Identifying the two things compared and the quality shared earns full marks in poetry questions.

A direct comparison that says one thing is another, without 'like' or 'as', as in 'the classroom was a zoo'. You must explain the implied comparison rather than merely naming the device.

Giving human qualities to a non-human thing, such as 'the wind whispered'. It is common in nature poetry, and questions ask you to explain what effect the human quality creates.

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words, as in 'silent, silver stream'. It is used for rhythm and emphasis, and exam answers should quote the repeated sound.

The pattern of end rhymes in a poem, labelled with letters so that 'abab' means lines one and three rhyme and lines two and four rhyme. Naming the scheme helps you discuss stanza structure and sound.

A group of lines forming a unit in a poem, similar to a paragraph in prose. Referring to a particular stanza helps you locate evidence precisely when answering questions.

A line or phrase repeated at intervals in a poem or song, often at the end of stanzas. It usually carries the poem's mood or message, so explain the effect of the repetition.

A word opposite in meaning to another, such as 'generous' for 'mean'. Antonym questions in the vocabulary section usually require a single word, not a phrase or a negative definition.

A word with a meaning close to another in a given context, such as 'begin' for 'commence'. Choose the option that fits the sentence's register and grammar, because near-synonyms are not always interchangeable.

The natural pairing of words in a language, such as 'make a decision' rather than 'do a decision'. Examiners test these fixed partnerships because they show real fluency, not just dictionary knowledge.

A verb combined with an adverb or preposition to give a new meaning, such as 'give up' or 'put off'. Learn whether the particle can be separated, since grammar questions often test word order.

A short word such as in, on, at, of or with that links a noun to the rest of the sentence. Fixed expressions like 'depend on' and 'afraid of' must be memorised because rules rarely help.

The words 'a', 'an' and 'the' used before nouns. Use 'a' before consonant sounds, 'an' before vowel sounds, and 'the' for something already known or unique.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, so 'she writes' but 'they write'. Watch for phrases between the subject and verb, and for collective nouns used as a single unit.

The form of a verb showing when an action happens, such as present, past or future. In gap-fill questions look for time markers like 'yesterday' or 'since 2010' that fix the correct form.

Restating someone's words indirectly, usually with 'said that', and shifting tense and pronouns back one step. Questions often ask you to convert direct speech accurately, including time and place words.

The choice between active voice, where the subject does the action, and passive voice, where the object becomes the subject. Passive forms use 'be' plus a past participle and suit formal or impersonal writing.

A word placed before a noun to limit it, including articles, possessives, demonstratives and quantifiers such as 'some', 'each' and 'much'. Choosing correctly depends on whether the noun is countable.

A short description of a character's appearance, qualities, motives and role in the plot, supported by incidents from the text. Literature answers earn marks for evidence, not just for listing adjectives.

The sequence of events in a story, usually moving from exposition through conflict and climax to resolution. Summarising the plot is rarely enough; link it to character and meaning.

The time and place in which a story happens, including social background. Setting often shapes mood and theme, so connect it to what the characters do and feel.

The voice telling a story, who may be a participant using 'I' or an outside observer. Identifying the narrator helps you judge whether the account is limited, reliable or ironic.

The perspective from which a narrative is told, such as first person, third person limited or omniscient. It controls what the reader can know and how much sympathy a character receives.

The lesson a story or fable teaches, often stated at the end. In supplementary reader answers, state the moral briefly and show which incident demonstrates it.

A letter to an official or editor, written in impersonal language with sender's address, date, receiver's address, subject line, salutation, body and closing. It must avoid slang and contractions.

The greeting at the start of a letter, such as 'Dear Sir' or 'Dear Madam' in formal writing, or 'Dear Ravi' in personal letters. It must match the tone and purpose of the letter.

A short public announcement displayed on a board, giving what, when, where and whom to contact, usually in a boxed format with a heading. It must be brief, factual and written in the third person.

A factual account of an event written for a newspaper or school magazine, with a headline, byline and answers to what, when, where, who and why. It stays objective and avoids personal opinion.

A short piece of connected writing on one idea, opening with a topic sentence and developing it with examples or reasons. Unity and coherence matter more than length in this section.

A longer piece of writing with an introduction, several body paragraphs and a conclusion, presenting a clear viewpoint on a topic. Structure, linking words and relevant examples carry the marks.

The quality of writing that flows logically, with each sentence connected to the last through linking words and consistent ideas. Without it, even correct sentences read as a list of unrelated statements.

The level of formality suited to a situation, ranging from casual speech to official writing. Choosing the wrong register, such as slang in a formal letter, lowers marks even when grammar is correct.