LANTITE Literacy key terms

The smallest unit of sound that can distinguish one word from another in a language, such as the difference between /b/ and /p/ in 'bat' and 'pat'.

A written letter or group of letters that represents a single sound in a word, such as 'sh' in 'ship' or 'a' in 'cat'.

An approach to teaching reading that links sounds with the letters or letter groups that spell them, helping readers decode unfamiliar written words.

The process of converting written letters into the sounds they represent so a word can be recognised and understood.

The ability to read text accurately, at a suitable pace and with appropriate expression, so that attention can focus on meaning rather than word recognition.

The process of constructing meaning from a text by combining word knowledge, background knowledge and reasoning about what has been read.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in a text plus the reader's own knowledge, rather than from something stated directly.

The meaning directly stated in a text, without interpretation or implied content, as opposed to what a reader must work out.

Language that departs from literal meaning for effect, including metaphor, simile, personification and hyperbole.

A figure of speech that describes one thing as if it were another, without using 'like' or 'as', to suggest a shared quality.

A comparison that uses 'like' or 'as' to link two unlike things and highlight a shared characteristic.

The central point a text is making about its topic, which the supporting details are organised to develop.

A sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point and signals what follows.

Restating the key points of a text in a much shorter form, in the reader's own words, without adding new information.

Expressing someone else's idea in different words while keeping the original meaning, usually with attribution to the source.

Presenting another person's words or ideas as one's own without adequate acknowledgement, whether done deliberately or by careless omission.

A reference within a text that identifies the source of a quotation, idea or data, usually linking to fuller publication details.

An alphabetical list at the end of a piece of writing giving full publication details for every source cited in the text.

The intended readers of a text, whose knowledge, expectations and needs shape the level of detail, tone and vocabulary chosen.

The reason a text is written, such as to inform, persuade, entertain or instruct, which drives its structure and language choices.

The degree of formality in language, adjusted for situation and audience, ranging from casual speech to formal academic writing.

The attitude a writer conveys towards the subject or reader, created through word choice, sentence structure and level of formality.

The associations or emotional overtones a word carries beyond its dictionary meaning, such as the difference between 'thrifty' and 'stingy'.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, separate from any emotional associations it may carry.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so a text holds together, often through pronouns, repeated words and connecting expressions.

The quality that makes a text logical and easy to follow, because ideas are ordered and connected in a way readers can track.

Words and phrases such as 'however', 'therefore' and 'in addition' that signal relationships between ideas and link parts of a text.

A group of sentences about one main point, usually marked by an indentation or a line break, that develops a single idea.

The subject a text or paragraph is about, expressed as a word or phrase, distinct from the point being made about it.

A word class naming a person, place, thing or abstract idea, which can typically be preceded by 'the' or 'a'.

A word class expressing an action, occurrence or state of being, which changes form to show tense and agreement.

A word such as 'she', 'it' or 'they' that stands in for a noun or noun group, usually referring back to something already mentioned.

A word such as 'and', 'because' or 'although' that joins words, phrases or clauses and shows how they relate.

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

A complete unit of writing containing at least one independent clause, beginning with a capital letter and ending with terminal punctuation.

A group of words punctuated as a sentence but lacking a subject, a verb or a complete thought.

The verb form that locates an action or state in time, such as past, present or future, and shows whether it is ongoing or complete.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, so a singular subject takes a singular verb.

Marks such as commas, full stops, apostrophes and colons used to clarify meaning, signal structure and separate parts of a sentence.

A punctuation mark used either to show that letters are missing in a contraction or to mark possession, as in 'the student's work'.