1. Topic: Overall subject matter of a passage
2. main idea: Main message about a topic. The author's central thought; the
chief topic of a text expressed or implied in a word or phrase; the topic
sentence of a paragraph.
3. Theme: a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work.
4. topic sentence: A sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in
which it occurs. Usually appears early in the passage.
5. Summary sentence: Comes at the end of a paragraph. Wraps up al ideas
presented. Provides an understanding of what the author wants to say about
the topic and what conclusions to draw from it.
6. supporting details: Details that support the main idea
7. signal words: Words that bring attention to supporting details / ideas. Here
are some common signal words: one, to begin with, also, further, first (of all),
in addition, furthermore, second(ly), other, next, last (of all), third(ly), another,
moreover, and final(ly). Show how one sentence or idea is connected to
another.
8. Conclusion: a judgement based on the information obtained
9. Inference: A conclusion one can draw from the presented details and their
own knowledge
10. author's purpose: The reason the author has for writing, and what the author
wants the reader to understand the passages main idea. ( Inform, persuade,
express/describe something, & entertain).
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