GCE O/L English Language key terms

A conclusion a reader draws from clues in a text rather than from a statement made directly. It requires combining evidence with general knowledge, for example deciding a character is nervous because of shaking hands and short answers.

Information stated plainly in a text, so a reader can point to the exact words that give it. Questions asking what happened, who did it or when usually test this level of understanding.

To read quickly for the general sense or main idea of a passage, ignoring details. Skimming a text first helps a candidate decide where the answers to specific questions are likely to be found.

To move the eyes rapidly over a text looking for one particular item such as a name, date, number or key word, without reading everything. It is the fastest way to locate evidence for a detail question.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point. Identifying topic sentences helps a reader summarise a passage and follow the writer's line of argument.

The central point that a whole passage or paragraph is making, which the other sentences support or explain. Stating it in your own words is often the first step in writing a summary.

A shortened account of a text that keeps the essential points and leaves out examples, repetition and minor detail. It is written in your own words and usually in continuous prose, not as a list.

To express the meaning of a sentence or passage in different words while keeping the sense unchanged. It is a required skill in summary and information-transfer tasks, where copying the original wording loses marks.

Rewriting facts from a source text into a different form, such as a table, form, chart, set of notes or short paragraph. The meaning must stay accurate while the layout and wording change.

Recording key points in a compressed form using headings, bullet points, abbreviations and symbols. Good notes keep the essential information and are easy to expand back into full sentences later.

Composition that tells a story with characters, a setting, a sequence of events and usually a complication and resolution. It is often written in the past tense and may use first- or third-person narration.

Composition that creates a vivid picture of a person, place or scene through sensory detail and carefully chosen adjectives. Its purpose is to make the reader see, hear and feel what is described rather than to tell a story.

Composition that takes a clear position on a debatable issue and supports it with reasons and evidence, often acknowledging the opposing view. It uses linking words such as however and therefore to build a logical case.

Composition that explains, informs or describes how something works in a balanced and factual way. It presents information clearly and is organised logically, without trying to persuade the reader to adopt a viewpoint.

The level of formality in language, chosen to suit the audience and situation. A letter to a friend uses informal register, while a report to a head teacher requires formal vocabulary and no contractions or slang.

A letter written to someone you do not know well or to an organisation, using polite, standard English. It follows a set layout with addresses, a salutation such as Dear Sir or Madam, a clear purpose and a suitable closing.

The greeting at the start of a letter or the words used to address an audience at the start of a speech. It must match the register of the piece, for example Dear Madam in a formal letter.

A factual piece of writing that presents findings on an event, problem or situation for a named audience, often with headings and recommendations. It uses impersonal, formal language and avoids personal opinion unless asked for.

A piece of writing intended for publication in a newspaper, magazine or newsletter, usually with a headline and an opening that catches attention. It may inform, persuade or entertain and often ends with a concluding comment.

A talk delivered to an audience, written with a direct opening address, clear points and rhetorical devices such as repetition and questions. It usually closes with a memorable summary or call to action.

A short public announcement giving information about an event, rule or change, written to be read quickly. It states the essential facts plainly, often with a heading, date, place and contact detail.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, as in she writes but they write. Errors commonly occur with collective nouns, indefinite pronouns and phrases placed between subject and verb.

Keeping the tense of a piece of writing appropriate and stable, shifting only when the time of the events genuinely changes. Unnecessary shifts, such as moving from past to present mid-narrative, confuse the reader.

A sentence pattern in which the subject performs the action, as in the dog chased the cat. It is usually clearer and more direct than the passive and is preferred in most composition writing.

A sentence pattern in which the subject receives the action, formed with a form of be plus the past participle, as in the cat was chased by the dog. It is useful when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

The marks used in writing, such as full stops, commas, apostrophes, quotation marks and colons, to show meaning and structure. Correct punctuation prevents ambiguity, for example distinguishing a defining clause from extra information.

The punctuation mark used to show possession, as in the girl's book, or to mark a missing letter in a contraction, as in don't. Its misuse, especially its for it's, is a frequent accuracy error.

Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction, producing a confusing string of ideas. It is repaired with a full stop, a semicolon or a suitable joining word.

The way clauses and phrases are arranged to form sentences of varied length and type. A good writer mixes simple, compound and complex sentences to control pace and keep the reader interested.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked so that a piece of writing flows as a whole. It is achieved through pronouns, repeated key words and linking devices such as furthermore, in contrast and as a result.

The habitual pairing of words that native users expect together, such as make a decision or heavy rain. Choosing the wrong partner, such as do a decision, is a common vocabulary error in compositions.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as let the cat out of the bag. Idioms suit informal writing and should be used sparingly in formal pieces.

A word with a meaning close to another, such as begin and commence. Synonyms are rarely identical in use, so the writer must check formality and collocation before substituting one for another.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates pictures in the reader's mind, often through simile, metaphor and personification. It is central to descriptive and literary response tasks.

A comparison of two unlike things using like or as, as in the moon hung like a lantern. It makes description vivid and is a common feature to identify when responding to a poem.

Giving human qualities to an object, animal or idea, as in the wind whispered through the trees. It is a figure of speech often discussed in literary response questions about effect.

The attitude of the writer towards the subject or reader, revealed by word choice and sentence style. It may be serious, ironic, humorous or sympathetic, and it shapes how a passage should be interpreted.

The title printed above a news article, written in short, striking words to attract attention and signal the story's subject. It often uses compressed grammar and omits small words like articles and auxiliaries.

An unfair leaning towards one side of an issue, shown by selective facts, loaded words or omitted viewpoints. Recognising bias is essential when responding to media texts and evaluating an argument.

Checking a finished piece of writing for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation and word choice before submitting it. It is done slowly and systematically, often reading aloud or working backwards through sentences.

Reviewing and improving a draft by cutting irrelevant material, reordering ideas, strengthening vocabulary and correcting errors. It happens after drafting and before proofreading, and it improves clarity and accuracy.

Expressing an idea in as few words as necessary without losing meaning. Conciseness removes padding such as in my personal opinion and is especially valued in summaries, notices and reports.