ELA Terms to Know

Front

Audience

Back

The writer's targeted reader or readers.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.8.6

Front

Interpret

Back

To explain the meaning of something; to present something in understandable terms.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Front

Infer

Back

To figure something out by using evidence and reasoning: 'read between the lines'.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

Front

Compare and Contrast

Back

To note the similarities and/or dissimilarities between things.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Front

Theme

Back

The underlying message; what critical belief about life the author is trying to convey in the writing.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Front

Central Idea

Back

The main point or message that the author wants to communicate.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Front

Bias

Back

A tendency to favor one side over another, which can affect the objectivity of the writing.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

Front

Context

Back

The circumstances or background information surrounding a text that helps to clarify its meaning.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Front

Symbolism

Back

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities in literature.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

Metaphor

Back

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D