NYS ELA key terms

The most important point a text makes about its topic, stated or implied. A reader should be able to express it in one sentence after finishing the passage.

The controlling point that organizes an entire informational text. It is broader than a main idea of a single paragraph and is supported by details throughout the passage.

A message about life or human nature that a literary work conveys, often indirectly. Unlike a topic such as courage, a theme makes a claim, such as courage requires sacrifice.

A fact, example, statistic, or quotation that backs up a claim or main idea. Strong answers distinguish details that support the point from those merely related to the topic.

A conclusion drawn by combining clues in a text with background knowledge. The answer is not stated word for word but must be defensible from what the author wrote.

Directly stated in the text, leaving no need to guess. Questions asking what the passage says outright call for explicit information rather than an inference.

A specific quotation, paraphrase, or detail from a passage used to justify an answer or claim. Effective evidence is relevant, accurate, and tied clearly to the point it supports.

To name or quote a specific source or passage location to support a statement. Citing keeps analysis accountable and lets a reader verify the claim against the original text.

To restate a passage's meaning in different words while keeping the original sense. It differs from summary because it usually follows the source closely rather than condensing it.

A brief restatement of a text's key points in the reader's own words. A good summary omits minor details, keeps the author's meaning, and follows the order of importance.

A short account of a text that reports only what the author says, without adding personal opinion or judgment. It captures central ideas fairly and leaves out trivial details.

The way an author arranges information, such as cause and effect, comparison, chronology, or problem and solution. Recognizing structure helps a reader predict and locate key information.

A text structure that examines similarities and differences between two or more subjects. Signal words like both, unlike, and similarly reveal which relationship the author is drawing.

A text structure that explains why something happened and what resulted. Readers should separate the reason from the outcome and watch for chains where one effect becomes the next cause.

The reason an author writes a text, commonly to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Purpose shapes word choice, structure, and how much evidence the writer supplies.

The perspective from which a text is told or written. In literature it may be first person or third person limited or omniscient; in argument it means the writer's stance on the issue.

The voice that tells a story, who may be a character in it or an outside observer. A narrator's knowledge and reliability affect how much a reader should trust the account.

A storyteller whose account the reader has reason to doubt because of bias, limited knowledge, or dishonesty. Clues in the text signal that the version of events may be distorted.

The attitude an author expresses toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and detail. Tone differs from mood, which is the feeling created in the reader.

The emotional atmosphere a text creates for its audience, often through setting, imagery, and diction. A single passage can shift mood as events unfold.

The feelings or associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Choosing thin instead of slim, for example, changes the impression an author creates.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, apart from emotional associations. Distinguishing denotation from connotation helps explain why a writer chose one synonym over another.

Language that departs from literal meaning to create vivid effect, including metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole. Readers must interpret the comparison rather than read it literally.

A direct comparison stating that one thing is another, without using like or as. An extended metaphor carries the comparison across several sentences or an entire work.

A comparison of two unlike things using like, as, or than. It highlights a shared quality, such as describing silence as heavy as a wet blanket.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses to create a picture or sensation. Strong imagery often draws on sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste to shape mood and meaning.

The use of an object, person, or event to stand for a larger idea beyond itself. A recurring object such as a locked door may represent confinement or hidden possibility.

The way a character changes or is revealed over the course of a narrative. Readers track development through actions, dialogue, choices, and reactions of other characters.

The sequence of events in a narrative, usually built through exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Conflict drives the plot forward toward its turning point.

A struggle between opposing forces in a narrative, such as person against person, nature, society, or self. Conflict creates tension and propels the plot toward resolution.

A statement an author asserts and defends with reasons and evidence. In argument writing, the claim is the position the whole piece is built to prove.

A reasoned position supported by evidence and explanation, intended to persuade a reader. A strong argument acknowledges opposing views and answers them rather than ignoring them.

An opposing position that a writer recognizes and responds to. Addressing a counterclaim fairly strengthens credibility and shows the argument has considered other viewpoints.

Facts, examples, statistics, or expert statements used to support a claim. Evidence must be relevant and sufficient, and it needs explanation connecting it to the point.

The writer's explanation of how evidence supports a claim. It interprets rather than repeats, telling the reader what the evidence shows and why it matters.

The development of an idea through explanation, detail, example, or analysis. Without elaboration, a paragraph lists points without showing how or why they matter.

A sentence, usually near the start of an essay, that states the central claim and previews the line of reasoning. It should be specific enough to guide the whole piece.

A sentence that introduces the focus of a body paragraph and connects it to the thesis. It tells the reader what the paragraph will prove before evidence appears.

A word, phrase, or sentence that links ideas and signals how they relate, such as however, therefore, or in contrast. Transitions guide a reader smoothly from one point to the next.

The quality of a piece of writing in which sentences and paragraphs connect logically and flow smoothly. Repetition of key terms and clear pronoun reference both contribute to cohesion.

The arrangement of ideas in a piece of writing so that each part builds on the last. Strong organization follows a clear plan suited to the purpose and audience.

Writing that avoids slang, contractions, and casual phrasing in favor of precise, objective language. It suits academic and analytical tasks, where the focus stays on ideas.

The intended readers of a piece of writing, whose knowledge and expectations shape word choice, detail, and tone. A text written for experts differs sharply from one aimed at beginners.

A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. It can be repaired by adding the missing part or joining it to a nearby sentence.

Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction. It can be fixed with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

A group of words containing both a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause cannot.

The rule that a pronoun must match its antecedent in number and gender. Errors occur when a singular noun is paired with a plural pronoun, as in everyone brought their own.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number, as in she runs versus they run. Interrupting phrases between subject and verb often cause writers to choose the wrong form.

The use of matching grammatical forms for items in a list or comparison, as in hiking, swimming, and biking. Parallelism keeps sentences balanced and easier to read.

A descriptive word or phrase placed too far from what it describes, creating confusion or unintended meaning. Moving the modifier next to its target usually corrects the sentence.

Two independent clauses joined only by a comma, with no conjunction. The fix is a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction such as and or but.

A sentence structure in which the subject performs the action, as in the committee approved the plan. It is generally clearer and more direct than passive construction.