OSAT English key terms

The central point a passage conveys about its topic, supported by most of its details. Readers identify it by asking what the whole text, not just one paragraph, is saying.

A specific fact, example, statistic, or reason that explains, illustrates, or proves a passage's main idea. Details answer who, what, when, where, why, or how questions about the central claim.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text plus the reader's background knowledge, rather than from a statement made outright. Valid inferences stay within what the text logically supports.

Information stated directly in a text, leaving no gap for the reader to fill. Distinguishing it from implied meaning helps candidates answer detail questions accurately without overreaching.

Quotations, paraphrases, or specific references from a passage used to justify an answer or claim. Strong evidence is precise, relevant to the question, and cited accurately without distortion.

The reason a writer produces a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Purpose shapes word choice, structure, and which details the writer includes or omits.

The writer's attitude toward the subject, revealed through diction, syntax, and imagery. Tone differs from mood, which describes the feeling a reader experiences while reading.

The emotional atmosphere a text creates for its reader, built through setting, imagery, and word choice. Mood is the reader's felt response, while tone is the writer's expressed attitude.

A recognizable pattern of organization such as narration, description, exposition, or argument. Recognizing the mode helps readers predict how ideas will be arranged and what evidence to expect.

An organizational pattern that examines similarities and differences between two or more subjects. Signal words such as similarly, whereas, and in contrast reveal the structure to careful readers.

A brief restatement of a text's main points in the reader's own words, omitting minor details and personal opinion. A good summary preserves proportion, giving more space to central ideas than to trivia.

A restatement of a specific passage's meaning in different words while retaining its full sense and level of detail. Unlike summary, paraphrase does not condense the original.

A slant or partiality in a text that favors one side, often through loaded language, selective evidence, or omitted viewpoints. Detecting bias requires noticing what the writer leaves out as well as what is included.

The controlling claim of an essay, usually stated in one or two sentences near the beginning. A strong thesis is specific, arguable, and previews the line of reasoning that follows.

A sentence, usually first in a paragraph, announcing the paragraph's central point and linking it to the larger thesis. It governs the relevance of every detail in that paragraph.

A word, phrase, or sentence that connects ideas and signals relationships such as cause, contrast, or sequence. Effective transitions guide readers smoothly from one point to the next.

The quality of a text whose ideas are logically ordered and clearly connected, so readers can follow the reasoning. Coherence depends on organization and transitions, not merely on correct grammar.

The quality of a piece in which every sentence and paragraph supports the central claim. A unified essay contains no digressions or tangents that distract from its thesis.

A reasoned case that supports a claim with evidence and addresses opposing views. A sound argument states its position clearly, provides relevant support, and acknowledges counterarguments.

A statement the writer asserts as true and must defend with evidence. Claims differ from facts in that they are debatable and require support to be persuasive.

An opposing view that a writer acknowledges and then answers. Including a counterargument strengthens credibility by showing the writer has considered alternative positions fairly.

The portion of an argument that demonstrates why an opposing view is weak or mistaken. It typically follows the concession of a counterargument and restates the writer's position.

Facts, examples, statistics, expert testimony, or quotations used to support a claim. Relevant and sufficient evidence is what distinguishes a persuasive argument from mere assertion.

The intended readers of a text, whose knowledge, values, and expectations shape the writer's choices. Skilled writers adjust diction, evidence, and tone to suit their audience.

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Writers exploit connotation to create tone and persuade, so readers must notice the flavor words add.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, independent of emotional associations. Distinguishing denotation from connotation clarifies why two near-synonyms can produce very different effects.

A writer's choice of words, including level of formality, concreteness, and connotation. Diction is a primary tool for establishing tone and adapting to an audience.

The arrangement of words and phrases into sentences, including length, variety, and word order. Syntax affects rhythm and emphasis and can reveal a writer's style or a character's voice.

The deliberate mixing of sentence lengths and structures to create rhythm and hold reader interest. Varied syntax prevents monotony and can emphasize key ideas through strategic short sentences.

The grammatical rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Errors often arise with intervening phrases, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns such as each or neither.

The rule that a pronoun must match its antecedent in number and gender. Errors commonly occur with indefinite antecedents, compound subjects, and collective nouns.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb. An independent clause expresses a complete thought; a dependent clause does not and must attach to an independent clause.

A group of related words lacking both a subject and a verb, functioning as a single part of speech. Prepositional, participial, and infinitive phrases add detail without forming complete sentences.

An incomplete sentence missing a subject, a verb, or an independent clause. Fragments often result from punctuating a dependent clause or phrase as if it were a full sentence.

Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction. Comma splices are a common variety, fixable with a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction.

A word that joins words, phrases, or clauses, such as and, but, because, or although. Coordinating conjunctions link equal elements; subordinating conjunctions make one clause dependent.

Language that departs from literal meaning to create vivid comparisons or effects, including metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole. It shapes tone and deepens meaning beyond surface statement.

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

A comparison of two unlike things using like, as, or than. Similes make abstract ideas concrete by linking them to familiar sensory experience.

Descriptive language appealing to the senses that creates mental pictures for the reader. Imagery contributes to mood and can carry symbolic meaning within a literary work.

An object, person, or event that stands for something beyond its literal self, such as a dove representing peace. Symbols gain meaning from context and repetition within a work.

The underlying insight about life or human nature that a literary work explores. Theme is expressed through recurring ideas and events rather than stated as a moral lesson.

A contrast between expectation and reality, between appearance and truth, or between words and intent. Verbal, situational, and dramatic irony each create different effects for readers.

The perspective from which a narrative is told, such as first person, third-person limited, or omniscient. Point of view determines what information readers can access.

The voice that tells a story, who may or may not be a character within it. A narrator's reliability and knowledge shape how readers interpret events.