Ohio State Tests/EOC key terms

The main point an author develops across an entire text, supported by details and examples. It is broader than a topic and is often stated in a thesis or summary sentence.

A message about life or human nature that a literary work conveys through characters, events, and imagery. Themes are inferred rather than directly stated and are usually expressed as a complete sentence.

Specific words, phrases, or passages quoted or paraphrased from a text to support a claim, inference, or analysis. Strong evidence is relevant, accurate, and explained in the writer's own reasoning.

A logical conclusion drawn by combining information stated in a text with the reader's background knowledge. Inferences go beyond literal details but must be justifiable from the text.

The methods an author uses to reveal a character's personality, motives, and traits, including direct description and indirect cues such as actions, dialogue, thoughts, and others' reactions.

The perspective from which a narrative is told, such as first person, third-person limited, or third-person omniscient. It shapes what information the reader can access and how events are interpreted.

The reason an author writes a text, commonly to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Purpose influences the choice of structure, tone, and evidence in a passage.

Persuasive strategies identified as ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic and evidence). Analyzing appeals helps readers evaluate how an argument attempts to convince its audience.

A debatable statement that an argument seeks to prove. In analysis, a claim functions as the writer's position and should be supported by reasons and evidence rather than personal opinion alone.

An opposing position that a writer acknowledges and then answers. Addressing a counterclaim strengthens an argument by showing the writer has considered alternatives and can refute them with evidence.

Language that departs from literal meaning to create effect, including simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole. It shapes tone and meaning and is analyzed for its impact on the reader.

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its dictionary meaning. Word choice with positive or negative connotations influences tone and can reveal an author's attitude.

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

The organizational pattern of a text, such as chronological, compare-contrast, cause-effect, problem-solution, or description. Recognizing structure helps readers follow relationships among ideas and locate key information.

A relationship that graphs as a straight line and can be written as y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. It represents a constant rate of change.

The measure of steepness of a line, calculated as the change in y divided by the change in x between two points. Slope describes the constant rate of change in a linear relationship.

How one quantity changes relative to another, often expressed as a ratio of change in output to change in input. In linear functions it is constant and equal to the slope.

Two or more equations considered together whose solution is the set of values satisfying all of them at once. Graphically, the solution is the intersection point of their graphs.

A function of the form f(x) = ax² + bx + c whose graph is a parabola. Its key features include the vertex, axis of symmetry, and the zeros or x-intercepts.

A function of the form f(x) = a·bˣ in which the variable is an exponent. It models repeated multiplication, showing growth when b > 1 and decay when 0 < b < 1.

A way of writing functions such as f(x) = 2x + 1, where f names the function and x is the input. It allows efficient evaluation and comparison of functions at given values.

A change in a figure's position, size, or orientation through translation, rotation, reflection, or dilation. Transformations help establish congruence and similarity between figures.

A relationship in which two figures have the same size and shape, so corresponding sides and angles are equal. Rigid transformations such as translations and rotations preserve congruence.

A relationship in which two figures have the same shape but may differ in size, with corresponding angles equal and side lengths proportional. Dilations produce similar figures.

The relationship a² + b² = c² in a right triangle, where c is the hypotenuse and a and b are the legs. It is used to find unknown side lengths and distances in coordinate geometry.

A ratio of two sides of a right triangle, such as sine, cosine, or tangent, defined relative to a given acute angle. These ratios solve for missing sides and angles in right triangles.

The planning of an investigation so results are valid, including forming a hypothesis, controlling variables, using a control group, and selecting an appropriate sample size and procedure.

The factor in an experiment that the investigator deliberately changes or manipulates. Its effect on the outcome is measured through the dependent variable.

The factor in an experiment that is measured or observed and that responds to changes in the independent variable. It provides the data used to evaluate a hypothesis.

A testable prediction about the relationship between variables, often written as an if-then statement. It guides an experiment and is supported or rejected by evidence rather than proven absolutely.

A well-supported explanation of natural phenomena developed from repeated evidence and accepted by the scientific community. Theories organize observations and predict new findings, and they can be revised.

A concise statement, often mathematical, describing a consistent pattern observed in nature, such as Newton's laws of motion. Laws describe what happens rather than explaining why.

The principle that matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. Atoms are rearranged, so the mass of the reactants equals the mass of the products.

A process in which substances break bonds and form new ones, producing products with different properties from the reactants. Evidence can include color change, gas production, or temperature change.

The movement of energy from one object or system to another, as in conduction, convection, or radiation. Energy is conserved overall but often transforms into less usable forms.

A community of organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment. Energy flows through food webs while matter cycles among living and nonliving components.

The process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully. Over generations, heritable favorable traits become more common in a population.

A firsthand record or artifact created during the period studied, such as letters, photographs, speeches, or official documents. Historians analyze primary sources for perspective, purpose, and bias.

An account created after an event that interprets or analyzes primary sources, such as textbooks and scholarly articles. These sources reflect the author's selection and interpretation of evidence.

A tendency to favor one perspective or present information unfairly. Recognizing bias in a source helps historians evaluate reliability and distinguish evidence from opinion.

A system in which power is divided between a national government and state governments, with each having distinct authority. In the United States, this division is established by the Constitution.

The division of government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has distinct functions so that no single group holds unlimited power.

The system that allows each branch of government to limit the power of the others, such as a presidential veto or judicial review. It prevents any branch from becoming dominant.

The economic relationship in which the quantity of a good producers offer and the quantity consumers want interact to determine price. Shifts in either curve change equilibrium price and quantity.

The value of the next-best alternative given up when a choice is made. It applies to individuals, businesses, and governments deciding how to use scarce resources.

The shift from a primarily agricultural economy to one based on manufacturing and factories. It brought urbanization, new technologies, and social changes such as labor movements and reform efforts.

The growth of cities as populations move from rural areas to urban centers, often driven by economic opportunity. It can create both economic growth and challenges such as overcrowding and poor sanitation.