ORELA ELA (NT319) key terms

The central point a text communicates about its topic, stated or implied. A reader who cannot summarize it in one sentence has usually confused it with a supporting detail or an example.

A conclusion drawn from textual evidence plus the reader's background knowledge, rather than stated outright. Strong inferences stay tightly anchored to specific words in the passage and can be defended with citations.

Information stated directly in a text, requiring no interpretive leap. Distinguishing it from implied meaning is a common test of close reading skill.

Specific words, phrases, or passages a reader cites to support an interpretation or claim. Effective evidence is quoted or paraphrased accurately and then explained, not merely dropped into a response.

A brief restatement of a text's central ideas in the reader's own words, omitting minor details and examples. A good summary preserves proportion, giving most space to the most important points.

Restating a passage's meaning in different words while preserving its sense and approximate length. Unlike summary, paraphrase follows the original's order and detail rather than condensing it.

The organizational pattern a writer uses, such as chronological, cause-effect, compare-contrast, problem-solution, or description. Recognizing structure helps readers predict what comes next and locate key information quickly.

Transition expressions such as however, therefore, in contrast, or first that reveal how ideas connect. They are reliable clues to text structure and to shifts in an author's argument.

The reason a writer produces a text, commonly to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Purpose shapes word choice, structure, and tone, so identifying it guides interpretation of the whole passage.

The writer's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through diction, imagery, and sentence rhythm. Tone differs from mood, which is the feeling the text creates in the reader.

The emotional atmosphere a text evokes in its audience, produced by setting, imagery, and word connotation. It is the reader-side counterpart to the writer's tone.

A writer's choice of words, considered for connotation, formality, and precision. Analyzing diction means asking why this word rather than a near-synonym was selected.

The associations and emotional coloring a word carries beyond its dictionary meaning. Connotation explains why slender and skinny, though similar in denotation, suit different purposes.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, independent of emotional associations. Precise reading requires separating denotation from the connotations a context activates.

A recurring insight about life or human experience that a literary work develops through events, characters, and imagery. Theme is a full statement, not a single word like love or justice.

A recurring image, phrase, object, or situation that reinforces a work's themes. Unlike a symbol, a motif gains force through repetition across the text rather than a single appearance.

The use of a concrete object, person, or action to stand for an abstract idea beyond its literal sense. Symbols may be conventional, like a dove for peace, or developed uniquely within a work.

Language that appeals to the senses to create vivid mental pictures or sensations. Imagery works through concrete detail and often carries emotional weight beyond mere description.

Expression that departs from literal meaning to achieve effect, including metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole. Interpretation requires identifying the comparison and explaining what it reveals.

A direct comparison that states one thing is another without using like or as. Extended metaphors sustain the comparison across multiple lines or an entire work.

A comparison using like, as, than, or resembles to link two unlike things. The vehicle chosen for the comparison usually signals the attitude the writer wants to convey.

A gap between what is said or expected and what is meant or actually occurs. Verbal irony involves statement, situational irony involves events, and dramatic irony involves knowledge the audience holds but characters lack.

Writing that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize folly or vice with intent to reform. Satire targets human behavior or institutions rather than merely mocking individuals.

Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or comic effect, not meant to be taken literally. It differs from lying because the audience recognizes the intended intensity.

The perspective from which a narrative is told, such as first person, third-person limited, or third-person omniscient. Perspective controls what information readers can access and how they judge characters.

The degree to which a storyteller's account can be trusted, given bias, limited knowledge, or deliberate deception. Unreliable narrators require readers to read against the surface of the telling.

The techniques authors use to build characters, including direct description and indirect revelation through speech, action, thought, and others' reactions. Round characters show complexity; flat characters serve limited functions.

The arranged sequence of events in a narrative, typically moving through exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Plot concerns causal linkage, not merely chronological listing.

The central struggle that drives a narrative, whether internal within a character or external against another person, society, or nature. Conflict generates suspense and forces change.

A debatable assertion an argument sets out to establish. A strong claim is specific, arguable, and supportable with reasons and evidence rather than a statement of fact or personal preference.

A sentence or two that states an essay's central argument and previews its organization. It usually appears near the end of the introduction and governs every body paragraph.

Facts, examples, statistics, or quotations used to support a claim. Evidence must be relevant, sufficient, and accurately represented to be persuasive to a critical reader.

The often-implicit assumption that licenses the move from evidence to claim. Naming the warrant exposes whether an argument rests on a shared belief or an unexamined premise.

A flaw in reasoning that makes an argument invalid or weak, such as ad hominem, straw man, false dilemma, or hasty generalization. Recognizing fallacies requires examining the link between premises and conclusion.

The persuasive strategies of ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic), described by classical rhetoric. Skilled analysis identifies which appeal a passage uses and why it suits the audience.

The interplay of writer, audience, purpose, context, and message that shapes any act of communication. Understanding it explains why the same content must be adapted for different readers.

The writer's sensitivity to readers' knowledge, values, and expectations, reflected in vocabulary, examples, and tone. It determines how much explanation is needed and which appeals will land.

The level of formality and specialized vocabulary a text adopts for a given situation, ranging from intimate to formal. Shifts in register should match shifts in audience and purpose.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked through transitions, pronoun reference, and repeated key terms so a text reads as a unified whole. Cohesion concerns surface connections; coherence concerns overall sense.

The logical clarity and unity of a text, in which ideas follow a sensible order and every part serves the central purpose. Coherence is a quality of meaning, not merely of connecting words.

The arrangement of ideas into an effective sequence, such as chronological, spatial, or order of importance. Strong organization makes a reader's path through the text predictable and effortless.

The positioning of words or phrases that describe other elements, which must sit close to what they modify. Misplaced or dangling modifiers create confusion and ambiguity in sentences.

Using matching grammatical forms for items in a series or for paired ideas. Parallel structure signals equal importance and makes sentences easier to process.

The arrangement of words and phrases into sentences, including length, variety, and complexity. Analyzing syntax means examining how sentence structure itself produces emphasis or rhythm.

Presenting another person's words or ideas as one's own, whether by copying, inadequate paraphrasing, or omitting attribution. Proper citation and genuine restatement are the standard remedies.

A formal reference identifying the source of a quotation, fact, or idea, typically in a consistent style such as MLA or APA. Citations let readers verify claims and credit original authors.

Ongoing, low-stakes evaluation used during instruction to adjust teaching and give feedback. It contrasts with summative assessment, which judges learning at the end of a unit.

Evaluation conducted at the end of a learning period to measure achievement against standards, such as a unit test or portfolio. Results typically inform grading rather than same-day instruction.

Temporary instructional support, such as modeling, graphic organizers, or guided questions, that is gradually withdrawn as learners gain independence. Effective scaffolding targets a specific skill rather than simplifying all content.

Adapting content, process, or product to learners' readiness, interests, and profiles while holding objectives constant. It is planned proactively rather than improvised after students struggle.

A scoring guide listing criteria and performance levels so that judgments of student work are consistent and transparent. Analytic rubrics score criteria separately; holistic rubrics assign one overall score.