TABE Reading key terms

The most important point a passage makes about its topic, whether stated outright or implied. It is broad enough to cover the whole text, not just one paragraph or detail.

The subject a passage is about, expressible in a word or short phrase. Unlike the main idea, it does not state what the author claims about that subject.

A fact, example, statistic, or reason that explains, proves, or develops the main idea. Details typically answer who, what, when, where, why, or how.

A brief restatement of a text's central points in your own words. A good summary keeps main ideas, drops minor details, and stays faithful to the original.

A conclusion reached by combining what a text says with what you already know. It is not stated directly, but the text must give enough support for it.

Information stated directly in the text, so a reader can point to the exact words that give the answer. No inference is required to find it.

Specific words, sentences, or details from a passage used to support an answer or claim. Quoting or paraphrasing evidence makes an interpretation checkable by others.

To decide what a text means by pulling together several details. The conclusion goes beyond any single sentence but must fit all the details involved.

To restate a passage's meaning in your own words while keeping the same ideas and roughly the same length. It differs from a summary, which shortens the text.

A message or insight about life or human nature that a literary work conveys. A theme is broader than a topic and is usually implied rather than stated directly.

A detail that directly supports the point being made, as opposed to an interesting but unrelated fact that merely fills space in the passage.

A relationship in which one event makes another happen. Readers identify it by asking why something occurred and what resulted from it.

The reason an author writes a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Purpose shapes the content, tone, and organization of the passage.

The perspective from which a text is told or written, including first person, third person, and the standpoint the author takes on the subject.

The author's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice and details, for example serious, sarcastic, or admiring. Tone differs from mood, which is the feeling a reader gets.

The overall feeling a text creates in a reader, such as suspense, sadness, or calm. Setting, imagery, and word choice all help produce it.

The feelings and associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Cheap and affordable share a basic meaning but differ sharply in connotation.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, apart from any feelings or associations the word may suggest to readers. It contrasts with connotation.

The author's deliberate selection of particular words to create a precise effect, tone, or impression. Word choice is also called diction and includes specialized vocabulary.

Information in the surrounding words and sentences that helps a reader figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word without reaching for a dictionary.

Language that means something beyond its literal sense, used for comparison or effect, as in similes, metaphors, and personification. It often appears in poetry and persuasive writing.

A comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as, such as describing a room as quiet as a library after closing.

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using like or as, such as calling a difficult deadline a wall the team had to climb.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind, often contributing to the mood of a passage.

The way an author organizes ideas in a passage, such as chronological order, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, or problem and solution.

Organization by time, presenting events or steps in the order they happened. Signal words such as first, then, and finally often mark this pattern.

A text structure that explains how two or more things are alike, called comparing, and how they differ, called contrasting. Signal words include similarly, both, and however.

Words or phrases such as however, therefore, and in addition that show how ideas connect and signal a shift in a text's direction or emphasis.

The readers a text is written for. Knowing the audience helps explain an author's word choice, tone, and how much background information the text supplies.

The specialized sense a word carries inside a particular field, which may differ from its everyday meaning, as the word mouse does in computing.

A statement the author asks the reader to accept as true. A strong claim is debatable and is backed by reasons and evidence rather than asserted alone.

A set of reasons and evidence offered to support a claim and persuade a reader. In reading, the word means a reasoned case, not a quarrel.

Facts, examples, statistics, quotations, or expert opinions that support a claim and make it more convincing to a reader.

A fact can be proven true or false, while an opinion expresses a belief, feeling, or judgment. Separating the two helps readers judge a text's reliability.

A leaning toward or against something that unfairly shapes how information is chosen, presented, or left out. A biased text may look factual while selecting only supporting details.

An opposing view that an author acknowledges and then answers in order to strengthen his or her own position. Ignoring objections can weaken a persuasive text.

A source whose author has relevant expertise and whose information can be checked and is not obviously biased or out of date.

To combine information from two or more sources or parts of a text to build a fuller understanding than either could give alone.

To judge the quality, accuracy, or strength of a text, its evidence, or its reasoning instead of simply accepting what it says.