MCAS Grade 10 ELA flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Main idea

The central point a passage conveys about its topic, usually expressible in one sentence and supported by most details in the text.

Theme

A universal message about life or human nature developed through a literary work's characters, events, and recurring ideas rather than stated directly.

Author's purpose

The reason an author writes a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain, inferred from content, structure, and word choice.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject or audience, revealed through diction, imagery, syntax, and details rather than stated outright.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere a text creates in the reader, shaped by setting, imagery, word choice, and pacing.

Inference

A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text combined with the reader's reasoning, rather than stated explicitly by the author.

Explicit evidence

A direct quotation or paraphrase from a passage that supports an answer or claim and can be pointed to in the text.

Central claim

The main position an author argues in an informational or persuasive text, which the rest of the piece supports with evidence and reasoning.

Supporting detail

A fact, example, statistic, or quotation that develops or strengthens the main idea or claim of a passage.

Text structure

The organizational pattern of a passage, such as chronological, cause-effect, compare-contrast, problem-solution, or description.

Transition words

Words or phrases such as however, therefore, and in contrast that signal relationships between ideas and guide the reader through a text.

Simile

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things using like or as, often to clarify or intensify a description.

Metaphor

A direct comparison stating that one thing is another, used to convey meaning through implied resemblance rather than literal identity.

Personification

A figure of speech giving human qualities or actions to nonhuman things, such as objects, animals, or ideas.

Symbolism

The use of a concrete object, person, or event to represent a larger abstract idea or concept within a literary work.

Foreshadowing

A hint or clue early in a narrative that suggests events to come, building suspense or preparing the reader for an outcome.

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality, between what is said and meant, or between what is known and unknown to characters.

Point of view

The perspective from which a narrative is told, such as first person, third-person limited, or third-person omniscient.

Characterization

The methods an author uses to develop a character, including direct description and indirect revelation through actions, speech, and thoughts.

Figurative language

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

Connotation

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its literal dictionary meaning, affecting tone and persuasion.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, distinct from its emotional or cultural associations.

Diction

An author's choice of words and phrasing, which shapes tone, voice, and the precision of meaning in a passage.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and sentences in a text; varied sentence structure affects emphasis, rhythm, and clarity.

Subject-verb agreement

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, with attention to interrupting phrases and indefinite pronouns.

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

The rule that a pronoun must match its antecedent in number and gender, avoiding ambiguity about what the pronoun refers to.

Comma with nonrestrictive clause

A clause that adds extra, nonessential information is set off by commas; a restrictive clause that identifies the noun takes none.

Parallel structure

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison, which improves clarity and balance in writing.

Thesis statement

A single sentence stating the central argument of an essay, previewing the main points the body paragraphs will develop.

Topic sentence

The sentence that states the main point of a paragraph and connects it to the essay's overall thesis.

Counterargument

An opposing view that a writer acknowledges and responds to in order to strengthen the credibility of an argument.

Revision vs. editing

Revision improves content, organization, and clarity; editing corrects grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence-level errors.