MTEL Communication and Literacy flashcards
MTEL Communication and Literacy · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Main idea
- The central point that the entire passage supports. It is broader than any single detail but fully covered by the text, unlike an overly general statement.
- Stated detail
- Information explicitly written in the passage. Answer by locating the exact sentence, not by relying on outside knowledge or assumptions.
- Valid inference
- A conclusion that must follow from evidence in the passage. If an answer requires outside facts or a guess, it is not a supported inference.
- Author's purpose
- The reason the author wrote the text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or describe. It applies to the whole passage, not one sentence.
- Tone
- The author's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice. Examples include critical, neutral, enthusiastic, and skeptical.
- Fact versus opinion
- Facts can be verified by evidence. Opinions contain judgment or evaluation, often signaled by words such as should, best, or unfortunately.
- Context clue
- Surrounding words that reveal a word's meaning. Test an answer by substituting it into the sentence and checking that meaning and connotation fit.
- Simile
- A comparison using like or as. It differs from a metaphor, which states that one thing is another without using a comparison word.
- Metaphor
- A direct comparison that states one thing is another, without like or as. It conveys meaning through implied resemblance rather than literal identity.
- Personification
- A figure of speech giving human qualities to nonhuman things, such as an object, animal, or idea, to create vivid description.
- Hyperbole
- Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or effect. It is not meant to be read literally and often signals a strong tone.
- Cause and effect
- A relationship where one event produces another. Signal words include because, therefore, as a result, and consequently.
- Compare and contrast
- A text structure showing similarities and differences. Signal words include similarly, likewise, however, whereas, and on the other hand.
- Transition words
- Words signaling relationships between ideas: however shows contrast, in addition shows addition, therefore shows consequence, and finally shows sequence.
- Hasty generalization
- An argument flaw drawing a broad conclusion from too little evidence, such as judging a whole group from a few examples.
- False cause
- An argument flaw assuming that because one event followed another, the first caused the second. Correlation alone does not prove causation.
- Subject-verb agreement
- The verb must match its subject in number. Ignore prepositional phrases between them; indefinite pronouns such as each and everyone are singular.
- Pronoun-antecedent agreement
- A pronoun must match its antecedent in number and gender. Collective nouns such as team are singular when acting as one unit.
- Comma splice
- An error joining two independent clauses with only a comma. Fix it with a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction.
- Semicolon use
- A semicolon joins two independent clauses or separates series items containing internal commas. It must follow a complete clause.
- Colon use
- A colon follows a complete clause and introduces a list, explanation, or quotation. It should not separate a verb from its object.
- Nonessential clause
- A clause adding extra information that can be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning. It is set off by commas.
- Dangling modifier
- An opening descriptive phrase whose intended subject is missing, so the sentence's actual subject cannot perform the described action.
- Parallel structure
- Items in a series, comparisons, and paired constructions must use matching grammatical forms, such as all nouns or all infinitives.
- Active voice
- The subject performs the action, as in the committee approved the plan. It is usually clearer and more direct than passive voice.
- Passive voice
- The subject receives the action, as in the plan was approved. Use it when the doer is unknown or unimportant.
- Redundancy
- Unnecessary repetition of meaning, such as free gift or return back. Revising removes words that add no new information.
- Topic sentence
- A sentence stating a paragraph's main point, usually placed first. The remaining sentences develop or support it with details.
- Thesis statement
- A sentence presenting the essay's central claim. Body paragraphs support it with evidence, and the conclusion reinforces it.
- Coordination
- Joining two independent clauses as equals using a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet.
- Subordination
- Making one clause dependent on another to show its lesser importance, using words such as although, because, when, or since.
- Misplaced modifier
- A descriptive word or phrase placed too far from the word it modifies, creating confusion or unintended meaning in the sentence.