ELA State Test Prep Terms

Front

What is the author's purpose?

Back

The author's purpose refers to the reason or intent behind a piece of writing.

Front

What is a theme in literature?

Back

The main idea or underlying message in a literary work.

Front

What are context clues?

Back

Hints or information in the surrounding text to help understand the meaning of a word or phrase.

Front

What does it mean to analyze a text?

Back

To examine in detail and identify key components or patterns.

Front

What does it mean to cite textual evidence?

Back

Providing specific quotes or examples from the text to support analysis or answer.

Front

What is a metaphor?

Back

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Front

What is a simile?

Back

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.

Front

What is the setting of a story?

Back

The time and place in which the story occurs.

Front

What is a character's motivation?

Back

The reasons behind a character's actions or behavior.

Front

What is a plot?

Back

The sequence of events that make up a story.