ELA Terms to Know

Front

Context Clues

Back

Words and phrases in a sentence that help you figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Idiom

Back

An expression that is not to be taken literally, such as 'I'll give you a penny for your thoughts.'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

Front

Central Idea

Back

The broad idea or message being conveyed to the reader in informational text.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Front

Propaganda

Back

An opinion where the truth is often twisted to influence people to believe, buy, or do something.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.8

CCSS.RI.6.8

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.7.8

Front

Metaphor

Back

A comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as', e.g., 'Joe is a ferocious lion on the playing field.'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Theme

Back

The underlying message or main idea of a literary work.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Front

Tone

Back

The author's attitude toward the subject, which can be conveyed through word choice and style.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

Front

Bias

Back

A tendency to favor one side over another, often leading to a lack of impartiality.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

Front

Simile

Back

A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as', e.g., 'as brave as a lion.'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

Hyperbole

Back

An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, e.g., 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.'

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A