NYS ELA Grade 5 key terms

The most important point a passage makes about its topic. It is broad enough to cover the whole text, not just one paragraph or one detail.

A fact, example, or reason in a passage that explains, proves, or strengthens the main idea. Details answer questions like who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Words, sentences, or facts taken directly from a passage to prove an answer or claim. A strong response quotes or closely paraphrases the text and explains how it supports the point.

A conclusion a reader draws by combining clues in the text with background knowledge. The answer is not stated word for word, but the text strongly supports it.

To decide what a passage means overall by pulling together several details and inferences. Conclusions go beyond a single sentence and must be reasonable given everything the text says.

A short retelling of a passage that states the main idea and the most important details in the reader's own words. A summary leaves out minor examples and personal opinions.

The way an author organizes information in a passage, such as cause and effect, compare and contrast, chronological order, problem and solution, or description. Structure helps readers follow how ideas connect.

A text structure that explains why something happened and what resulted. Signal words include because, since, therefore, as a result, and so.

A text structure that shows how two or more things are alike and different. Signal words include both, similarly, unlike, however, and on the other hand.

In informational text, the position or opinion an author takes on a topic and tries to support. Readers judge whether the reasons and evidence are strong, relevant, and sufficient.

A statement an author asks readers to accept as true. In grade 5 work, a claim should be supported by reasons and evidence from the passage rather than by feelings alone.

The reason an author writes a text: to inform, explain, persuade, entertain, or describe. Purpose shapes the kinds of details and the tone an author chooses.

Parts of a text that are not the main body, such as headings, captions, bold words, bulleted lists, diagrams, and glossaries. They help readers locate and understand information quickly.

A short line of text placed under a photo, drawing, or diagram that explains what it shows. Captions often add details the main paragraph does not include.

A labeled drawing that shows the parts of something or how a process works. Readers use labels and arrows in a diagram together with the surrounding text.

The message about life or human nature that a story conveys, such as honesty matters or change is hard. A theme is stated as a full idea, not a single word.

The sequence of events in a story, usually built from a problem, rising action, a turning point or climax, and a resolution. Plot answers what happens and why it matters.

The main struggle a character faces. It may be internal, such as a character deciding what is right, or external, such as a fight with another character or a force of nature.

The point in a story where the conflict is settled and the reader learns how things end up. A resolution may be happy, sad, or mixed, and it often reveals the theme.

A word describing a character's lasting qualities, such as generous, stubborn, or curious. Traits are shown through actions, dialogue, and how other characters react.

The reason a character acts or feels a certain way. Motivation may be stated outright or revealed through clues about what the character wants, fears, or needs.

The time and place in which a story happens. Setting can affect characters' choices and mood, and a change of setting often signals a shift in the story.

In literature, the narrator's position in relation to the story. First person uses I or we; third person uses he, she, or they, and may be limited or omniscient.

The voice that tells a story. The narrator may be a character inside the story or an outside observer, and readers must judge what the narrator knows and how reliable that voice is.

The words characters speak to one another, usually marked with quotation marks. Dialogue moves the plot forward and reveals personality, feelings, and relationships.

Language that goes beyond literal meaning to create a picture or feeling, including simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole. It helps readers imagine and feel what is described.

A comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as, such as cheeks as red as apples. Similes make descriptions vivid and easy to picture.

A comparison that states one thing is another without using like or as, such as the classroom was a zoo. Metaphors suggest qualities shared by the two things.

Giving human qualities to an animal, object, or idea, such as the wind whispered through the trees. Personification creates mood and helps readers relate to nonhuman subjects.

The feeling a text creates in the reader, such as suspense, calm, or sadness. Word choice, setting details, and sentence rhythm all help build mood.

The attitude the author or narrator takes toward the subject, such as humorous, serious, or critical. Tone is conveyed through word choice and details, and it differs from mood.

The main lesson or idea a literary text conveys, similar to theme but often used for fables, folktales, and shorter texts. Readers state it as a complete sentence about the story's meaning.

In writing, the position a writer argues for in an essay. A strong grade 5 claim is clear, focused, and can be supported with reasons and evidence from the texts read.

A statement that explains why a claim is true. Each reason should be backed by evidence, and together the reasons should be enough to convince a reader.

To point to the exact place in a text where evidence comes from, using the title, author, or paragraph. Citing shows the reader that a claim is grounded in the source.

To restate a passage in your own words while keeping the same meaning. Paraphrasing shows understanding and avoids copying an author's exact wording.

The opening part of an essay that hooks the reader and states the claim or topic. A good introduction makes clear what the essay will explain or argue.

The final part of an essay that restates the claim in fresh words and sums up the main reasons. It should leave the reader with a sense of why the topic matters.

A word or phrase such as however, therefore, first, or in addition that links ideas and shows how sentences and paragraphs relate. Transitions make writing flow smoothly.

The order and grouping of ideas in a piece of writing. Clear organization means related ideas sit together and the order helps the reader follow the writer's thinking.

A group of sentences about one main idea, usually beginning with a topic sentence. Paragraphs help readers see where one idea ends and another begins.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main idea. The other sentences in the paragraph should support or explain it.

A word that names a person, place, thing, or idea, such as teacher, city, pencil, or courage. Nouns can be common or proper, singular or plural, and concrete or abstract.

A word that shows action or a state of being, such as run, think, or is. Verbs must agree with their subjects in number and person.

A word that replaces a noun, such as he, she, they, or it. A pronoun must clearly refer to a specific noun, called its antecedent, so readers are not confused.

The noun that a pronoun stands for in a sentence. If the antecedent is unclear or does not match the pronoun in number, the sentence becomes confusing.

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

A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, such as tall, three, or friendly. Adjectives answer questions like what kind, which one, or how many.

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often telling how, when, or where, such as quickly, yesterday, or very. Many adverbs end in -ly.

A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word, such as in, under, between, or during. Prepositions begin prepositional phrases.

A word that joins words, phrases, or clauses, such as and, but, or, because, and although. Conjunctions show how the joined ideas relate to each other.

A group of words that expresses a complete thought and contains a subject and a predicate. Correct sentences begin with a capital letter and end with punctuation.

Marks such as periods, commas, quotation marks, and apostrophes that clarify meaning and separate ideas. Punctuation helps readers know where to pause and what belongs together.