MCAS Grade 10 ELA key terms

The most important point an author communicates about a topic across an entire text, supported by details rather than stated only in a title or opening sentence.

A message about life or human nature that a literary work conveys through characters, events, and imagery; it is expressed as a full statement, not a single word.

A brief restatement of a text's main points in the reader's own words, without personal opinion, judgment, or added interpretation.

A specific fact, example, quotation, or event that explains, illustrates, or proves a larger claim in a text.

A direct quotation or precise reference to a passage used to justify an interpretation or claim about what the text says or implies.

A reasonable conclusion drawn by combining clues in a text with background knowledge; the text implies it rather than stating it outright.

Stated directly and plainly in the text, so a reader does not need to reason beyond the words on the page to know it.

Suggested or hinted at rather than stated directly, requiring the reader to connect details and draw a conclusion.

The way an author reveals a character's traits and changes through actions, dialogue, thoughts, relationships, and reactions of others over the course of a narrative.

The techniques an author uses to build a character, whether directly by describing traits or indirectly through speech, behavior, appearance, and others' responses.

The sequence of connected events in a narrative, typically moving through exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution toward a changed situation.

The central struggle between opposing forces in a narrative, such as person against person, society, nature, or an internal struggle within a character.

The turning point of highest tension in a narrative, where the main conflict reaches its peak and the outcome begins to become clear.

The final part of a narrative in which loose ends are settled and the consequences of the climax are shown.

The perspective from which a story is told, such as first person, third-person limited, or third-person omniscient, shaping what information readers receive.

The voice or persona that tells a story, which may be a character within it or an outside observer with varying access to characters' thoughts.

A storyteller whose account the reader has reason to doubt because of bias, limited knowledge, dishonesty, or misunderstanding of events.

The author's or speaker's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and details rather than stated directly.

The emotional atmosphere a text creates in the reader, produced by setting, imagery, diction, and pacing.

An author's choice of words, including their formality, precision, and connotation, which shapes tone and meaning in a passage.

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning, such as the negative shade of 'cheap' compared with 'inexpensive'.

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

Language that departs from literal meaning to create vivid comparison or effect, including metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole.

A direct comparison that describes one thing as another without using 'like' or 'as', often extending across several lines of a text.

A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as' to highlight a shared quality.

A figure of speech giving human qualities or actions to an animal, object, or abstract idea, as when a wind whispers or opportunity knocks.

Descriptive language appealing to the senses that creates vivid mental pictures and contributes to a text's mood and meaning.

The use of a concrete object, person, or event to represent a larger abstract idea, such as a dove standing for peace.

A contrast between expectation and reality, between what is said and meant, or between what characters know and what readers understand.

The way a text is organized, including paragraph order, section breaks, chronology, and shifts in focus, which can reinforce meaning.

The reason an author writes a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain, which shapes choices about content and style.

A persuasive strategy aimed at an audience's logic, credibility, or emotions, commonly labeled logos, ethos, and pathos.

A debatable statement an author or speaker asserts and then supports with reasons and evidence.

An opposing position that a writer acknowledges and then answers, often to strengthen an argument by showing awareness of other views.

A leaning toward or against an idea, person, or group that shapes how information is selected and presented, sometimes without the author's awareness.

The arrangement of words and phrases into sentences, including length and complexity, which affects rhythm, emphasis, and clarity.

Information in surrounding words, sentences, or paragraphs that helps a reader determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

A restatement of a short passage in the reader's own words that preserves the original meaning without copying its phrasing.

To identify the source of information or a quotation precisely enough that a reader could locate it, including page, line, or paragraph references.