Literary Terms and Concepts

Front

author's claim

Back

To say that something is true or is a fact, though you cannot prove it and other people might not believe it.

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central idea

Back

The most important or central thoughts unifying elements of a text.

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sidebar

Back

A short article or piece of text, usually placed in a box next to the text that gives more information related to the topic.

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relevant details

Back

Related to a subject or to something happening or being discussed.

Front

text features

Back

The components of a story or article that are not the main body of text, including the table of contents, index, glossary, headings, bold words, sidebars, pictures and captions, and labeled diagrams.

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support

Back

Information and evidence used to prove or corroborate something; using information or evidence to show or seem to prove something to be true.

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text structures

Back

The "bones" or "skeleton" of a story or book that shows how the author organizes their ideas to help you understand what you're reading.

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chronology

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A story or informational text is organized by the order of time, telling what happened first, next, and last.

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comparison

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Explains how two or more things are alike (similar) and different (contrasting).

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cause and effect

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Text structure that shows why something happened (the cause) and then explains what happened as a result (the effect).