Academic Vocabulary

The person who wrote a story, poem, play or article. Also known as the writer

• Illustrator

• Character

• Author

• All of the above

When the author makes a comparison using the words "like" or "as". For example, "the man was tall like a skyscraper" or "The woman was as tall as a pine tree"

• Simile

• Description

• Infer

• Prediction

A focus statement included by an author that provides direction for the writing

• Conflict

• Plot

• Prediction

• Central Idea

Usually a person or animal in a story who contributes to the plot in some way

• Author

• Character

• Central Idea

• Illustrator

The main problem in a story that often is the result of a struggle between the main character and someone else

• Central Idea

• Plot

• Prediction

• Conflict

A piece of writing that often uses lines, stanzas and sensory details to entertain a reader. Sometimes the lines rhyme or have rhythm.

• Informational Text

• Poem

• Story

• Folktale

To describe how different kinds of details and information are used in a text and for what purpose they are used.

• Explain

• Statement

• Response

• Annotate

The main events of a story, play, or other literary work. These events may or may not be told in the order they occur.

• Setting

• Character

• Central Idea

• Plot

When a reader combines what they already know with what is in a text. For example, an author may say that a character is clapping and smiling, so the reader would understand that the character is happy.

• Infer

• Prediction

• Explain

• Central Idea

If the purpose is to entertain, the author will probably use jokes or anecdotes. If the goal is to inform or teach, it is very likely that the author will include facts, descriptions, and reasonable explanations.

• setting

• imagery

• theme

• author's purpose