Nonfiction Vocabulary

one or two words that describe what the passage is about

• topic

• opinion

• paraphrase

• direct quote

shows evidence or examples of the central idea

• topic

• opinion

• plagiarism

• supporting detail

group of words copied from the text

• topic sentence

• direct quote

• opinion

• author's purpose

the main point the author makes about a topic

• topic

• supporting detail

• main (central) idea

• research

information used to support opinions or beliefs

• topic sentence

• author's purpose

• citing evidence

• main idea

rewording of something written by someone else

• topic sentence

• author's purpose

• direct qoute

• paraphrase

the author is trustworthy because his or her information is supported with facts

• opinion

• supporting detail

• main idea

• credible or reliable source

one's personal beliefs about a topic

• topic

• supporting detail

• opinion

• plagiarism

copying or using someone else's words without citing your source

• author's purpose

• plagiarism

• topic

• main idea

the reason the author wrote the passage (persuade, inform, or entertain)

• author's purpose

• topic

• main idea

• plagiarism