1. education
2. english as a second language

Word of the Day
April, 2015
Page 1
inference (in-fer-uh ns)
noun
A conclusion that you draw about something
by using information that you already have
about it.
• Select the strongest piece of textual
evidence to support an inference you
drew from the text.
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explicit (ik-splis-it)
adjective
Something expressed or shown clearly and
openly, without any attempt to hide
anything.
• Select strong textual evidence to support
a statement from the text where both the
statement and the support are explicit.
Page 3
implicit (im-plis-it)
adjective
Something that is expressed in an indirect
way.
• Determine a theme or central idea that is
explicitly or implicitly stated.
Page 4
excerpt (ek-surpt)
noun
A passage or quotation taken or selected
from a book, document, film, or the like;
extract.
• Analyze the excerpt and select two
details that show why the main character
feels frustrated.
Page 5
synthesize (sin-thuh-sahyz)
verb
To combine different ideas, facts, or
experiences to form a single idea or
impression.
• Think about the narrator’s specific
feelings toward the town. Then,
synthesize information from the whole
passage to provide evidence for that
inference.
Page 6
objective (uh b-jek-tiv)
noun
not influenced by personal feelings,
interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts;
unbiased
• Determine a theme of a text and analyze
its development over the course of the
text. Then provide an objective summary
of the text.
Page 7
contribute (kuh n-tribyoot)
verb
If something contributes to an event or
situation, it is one of the causes of it. To
contribute to; to be an important factor in;
help to cause
• Analyze how characters, setting, or plot
contributes to a theme or central idea’s
development.
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exemplifies (ig-zem-pluh-fahy)
verb
A typical example of something such as a
situation, quality, or class of things; to serve
as an example of
• Select the text that exemplifies a theme of
the entire passage.
Page 9
universal (yoo-nuh-vur-suh l)
adjective
A principle that applies in all cases or a
characteristic that is present in all; applicable
everywhere or in all cases; general; affecting,
concerning, or involving all; used or understood
by all
•
What universal statement about human
behavior does the author make in this
passage?
Page 10
propel (pruh-pel)
verb
To propel something in a particular direction
means to cause it to move in that direction.
If something propels you into a particular
activity, it causes you to do it.
• How does this line of dialogue propel the
action in the passage?
Page 11
reveal (ri-veel)
verb
to make known; disclose; divulge. A
revealing statement, account, or action tells
you something that you did not know,
especially about the person doing it or
making it.
• Select how the text reveals the
relationship between the main character
and his friend.
Page 12
interpret (in-tur-prit)
verb
If you interpret something in a particular
way, you decide that this is its meaning or
significance.
• Interpret the meaning of the figures of
speech and then select words or phrases
from the text that support that meaning.
Page 13
nuance (noo-ahns)
noun
a subtle difference in color, sound, feeling,
appearance, or meaning
• Demonstrate understanding of figurative
language, word relationships, and
nuances in word meaning.
Page 14
connotation (kon-uh-tey-shuh n)
noun
an association or idea suggested by a word
or phrase; implication; the idea or qualities a
word makes you think of.
• Select words or phrases from the text that
provide support for the connotation of a
word.
Page 15
denotation (dee-noh-tey-shuh n)
noun
the explicit or direct meaning or set of
meanings of a word or expression
• Distinguish among the associations of
words with similar denotations. (e.g.,
bullheaded, willful, firm, persistent,
resolute)
Page 16
establish (ih-stab-lish)
verb
to show to be valid or true; prove
• Select how the author establishes the
tone of the story.
Page 17
parallel (par-uh-lel, -luh l])
adjective
If something has a parallel, it is similar to something
else, but exists or happens in a difference place or at
a different time. If it has no parallel, it is not similar
to anything else. If there are parallels between two
things, they are similar in some ways.
• What structural feature of both poems parallels an
aspect of each poem’s meaning? (Are the parallels the
shape of stanzas, rhyme scheme, etc.)
Page 18
perspective (per-spek-tiv)
noun
A particular way of thinking about
something, especially one that is influenced
by your beliefs or experiences; a way of
regarding situations, facts, etc, and judging
their relative importance
• What effect do these differing
perspectives have on the tone of the
passage?
Page 19
evaluate (ih-val-yoo-eyt)
verb
to judge or determine the significance,
worth, or quality of; assess
• Analyze the purpose of presenting the
information in diverse media and format
(visually, orally, etc) and evaluate the
motives (e.g., social, commericial,
political) behind its presentation.
Page 20
portray (pohr -trey,)
verb
When a writer or artist portrays something,
he or she writes a description or produces a
painting of it; depict in words
• What is the author’s stance on the use of
cell phones? How is this issue portrayed
in the second text?
Page 21
attribute ()
Verb - uh-trib-yoot
to regard as resulting from a specified cause;
consider as caused by something indicated
(usually followed by to):
Noun – a–truh-byoot
something attributed as belonging to a
person, thing, group, etc.; a quality,
character, characteristic, or property
Page 22
convey (kuh n-vey)
verb
To convey information or feeling means to
cause them to be known or understood by
someone.
• How does the author explicitly draw on
myth to convey meaning in this text?
(how does he use the elements of myths)
Page 23
conflict
(verb - kuh n-flikt)
to come into collision or disagreement; be
contradictory, or in opposition; clash
(noun - kon-flikt)
incompatibility or interference, as of one
idea, desire, event, or activity with another;
•
•
Analyzing how the author handles conflicting
information.
Determine the author’s point of view and how
he responds to conflicting evidence or
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viewpoints.