Praxis Core Reading key terms

The central point a passage is built to communicate, broad enough to cover the whole text rather than one section. Often stated in a topic sentence or thesis, sometimes only implied.

A specific fact, example, reason, or illustration that explains, proves, or develops the main idea. Details answer who, what, when, where, why, or how, and give the passage substance.

A sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that announces what the paragraph will cover. It controls the paragraph the way a thesis controls an essay.

The sentence in an essay or long passage that states the writer's central claim and often previews the structure of the argument. Everything else should relate back to it.

A brief restatement of a text's main points in your own words, with supporting detail stripped away. A good summary covers the whole passage proportionally and adds no opinion.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text plus ordinary reasoning, rather than stated outright. Valid inferences are strongly supported and do not contradict the passage.

A meaning a passage suggests without stating directly, often revealed by word choice, tone, or what the author leaves out. Readers must supply the unstated link.

Information stated plainly in the text, requiring no inference to recover. Distinguishing explicit statements from implied ones prevents answers that overreach.

The specific words, sentences, or details in a passage that justify an answer. On this exam, the correct choice is always defensible by pointing to something on the page.

Material offered to make a claim credible, such as data, quotations, examples, or expert testimony. Strong evidence is relevant, sufficient, and accurately represented.

An assertion the writer asks the reader to accept, which may be factual or evaluative. Claims need support; opinions and arguments are built from them.

The order in which events, steps, or ideas are presented. Signal words such as first, then, after, and finally mark chronological or procedural order.

A relationship in which one condition or event produces another. Passages may state causes outright or require the reader to link a result back to its source.

A pattern that examines similarities, differences, or both between two or more subjects. Structure is often signaled by words like similarly, unlike, whereas, and in contrast.

The reason a writer produces a text, commonly to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Purpose shapes tone, structure, and how much evidence the writer supplies.

The writer's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice and detail. Tone differs from mood, which is the feeling the text creates in the reader.

The emotional atmosphere a passage creates in the reader, built through setting, imagery, pacing, and word choice. Mood is the reader's felt response rather than the writer's stance.

The perspective from which a text is told or argued, such as first person, third-person limited, or third-person omniscient. It affects what information the reader can access.

The writer's choice of words, including formality, precision, and connotation. Shifts in diction often signal shifts in tone or audience.

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning, as with cheap versus inexpensive. Connotation drives tone and can reveal bias.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, stripped of emotional shading. Contrasting denotation with connotation helps explain why two near-synonyms feel different.

Language that departs from literal meaning for effect, including metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole. It shapes tone and often carries a passage's deeper point.

A comparison stating that one thing is another without using like or as, as in a sea of troubles. Extended metaphors develop the comparison across several sentences.

A comparison using like or as, as in quiet as a library. Similes make an unfamiliar idea concrete by linking it to something the reader already knows.

Descriptive language appealing to the senses that creates a picture or sensation for the reader. Imagery often does emotional work beyond decoration.

The arrangement of a passage's content, such as chronological, cause-effect, comparison, problem-solution, or classification. Recognizing the pattern helps locate main ideas and predict what comes next.

A word or phrase that links ideas and signals how they relate, such as however, therefore, or for instance. Transitions are reliable clues to a passage's logical structure.

The way words and clauses are arranged in a sentence, including length, complexity, and placement of modifiers. Varied structure can emphasize a point or control pace.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence; a dependent clause cannot and must attach to one.

A word, phrase, or clause that describes or limits another element in the sentence. A misplaced modifier sits too far from what it describes, creating confusion or unintended humor.

The relationship between a pronoun and the noun it stands for. Unclear or ambiguous reference, with a pronoun pointing to more than one possible antecedent, weakens a sentence.

A reasoned case in which a writer advances a claim and backs it with evidence and reasoning. A strong argument anticipates and answers counterarguments.

An opposing view that a writer acknowledges and then answers. Addressing it can strengthen credibility by showing the writer has considered alternatives fairly.

A slant or partiality in how information is selected, framed, or worded. Bias can appear through loaded diction, omitted viewpoints, or one-sided evidence.

The degree to which a source can be trusted to provide accurate information, judged by authorship, method, consistency with other sources, and freedom from obvious bias.

The believability of an author or source, resting on expertise, evidence quality, and fairness. Credibility is often evaluated by asking who wrote the text and why.

Combining information from two or more passages or sources to form a coherent understanding. Synthesis requires identifying where sources agree, differ, or complement one another.

Restating a source's idea in your own words while preserving its meaning, usually at similar length. Unlike summary, it keeps the original's level of detail.