Universal Language of Literacy Terms

Front

to separate into its constituent elements or parts; to break into smaller parts for the purpose of study or examination

Back

analyze

Front

words presented with the aim of persuading thought or action

Back

argument

Front

the author's reason for composing a text

Back

author's purpose

Front

the thought, concept, notion, or impression that is of greatest importance in the text or portion of the text; it may be implied or explicitly stated

Back

central idea

(informational text)

Front

the thought, concept, notion, or impression that is of greatest importance in the text or portion of the text; it may be implied or explicitly stated; the theme

Back

central idea

(literary text)

Front

the exact location of a quotation or reference from a text brought forward as support

Back

citation

Front

an assertion to the truth of something, typically one that is disputed or in doubt

Back

claim

Front

to note similarities

Back

compare

Front

a sophisticated inference; a logical assumption based on multiple pieces of information from a text plus prior knowledge and/or experience

Back

conclusion

Front

to note differences

Back

contrast