When you compare, you tell how two things are the same.
When you contrast, you tell how two things are different.
Understanding when things, people, or situations are being compared and contrasted can help you gain a better understanding of both.
Some comparison words:
same
similar
like
both
also
Some contrast words/phrases:
unlike
but
on the other hand
however
adjectives ending in –er, like better, bigger, louder
Some special compare and contrast words showing how something has stayed the same or changed over time:
*compare (same over time):
still
remains
*contrast: (different over time)
before
after
now
once
change
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Cause and Effect
Cause and effect relationships in writing explain why something happened.
• The cause is the reason something happens.
• The effect is what happened as a result of the cause.
To find a cause, ask yourself, “Why did this happen?”
Some cause clue words/phrases:
because
one reason was
due to
as a result of
To find an effect, ask yourself, “What did this cause to happen? What was the result of this?”
Some effect clue words/phrases:
as a result
therefore
that’s why
so
consequently
• The cause is the reason something happens.
• The effect is what happened as a result of the cause.
To find a cause, ask yourself, “Why did this happen?”
Some cause clue words/phrases:
because
one reason was
due to
as a result of
To find an effect, ask yourself, “What did this cause to happen? What was the result of this?”
Some effect clue words/phrases:
as a result
therefore
that’s why
so
consequently
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Literary Terms
fiction - an invented story (not true)
nonfiction – text that is factual
historical fiction – a story whose setting is a real period in the past, but part or all of the story is invented.
flashback – return to an event that happened before the present situation in a story
foreshadowing – hints of what is to come
repetition – words or phrases that are used over and over.
symbol – something that has meaning in itself, but that also stands for something else.
irony – the opposite of what a reader or character has been led to believe will happen, takes place.
narrator - the “voice” that is telling the story
point of view – the point from which a story or text is told
first person point of view – the narrator is a character in the story, and uses “I” to talk about him or herself.
second person point of view – the text uses the pronoun “you” to talk about the reader. Instructions, recipes, etc. are usually in the second person.
third person point of view – the narrator does not appear in the story.
imagery - the use of vivid description that appeals to the five senses to create pictures, or images, in the reader’s mind.
simile – a comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.”
metaphor – a comparison of two unlike things, not using the words “like” or “as.”
nonfiction – text that is factual
historical fiction – a story whose setting is a real period in the past, but part or all of the story is invented.
flashback – return to an event that happened before the present situation in a story
foreshadowing – hints of what is to come
repetition – words or phrases that are used over and over.
symbol – something that has meaning in itself, but that also stands for something else.
irony – the opposite of what a reader or character has been led to believe will happen, takes place.
narrator - the “voice” that is telling the story
point of view – the point from which a story or text is told
first person point of view – the narrator is a character in the story, and uses “I” to talk about him or herself.
second person point of view – the text uses the pronoun “you” to talk about the reader. Instructions, recipes, etc. are usually in the second person.
third person point of view – the narrator does not appear in the story.
imagery - the use of vivid description that appeals to the five senses to create pictures, or images, in the reader’s mind.
simile – a comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.”
metaphor – a comparison of two unlike things, not using the words “like” or “as.”
Story Elements
setting – when & where the story takes place.
characters – who is in the story and what they are like.
protagonist – main character
plot – what happens. Focused around a conflict, or problem, that needs to be resolved.
internal conflict – problem within the mind of a character
external conflict – problem between two characters, two groups, or a character and something outside of him / herself
theme – a lesson, or message about life, that the author is trying to get the reader to think about.
characters – who is in the story and what they are like.
protagonist – main character
plot – what happens. Focused around a conflict, or problem, that needs to be resolved.
internal conflict – problem within the mind of a character
external conflict – problem between two characters, two groups, or a character and something outside of him / herself
theme – a lesson, or message about life, that the author is trying to get the reader to think about.
Persuasive Writing and Advertising
Persuasive Writing is writing that tries to convince others to share the writer’s opinions.
Advertising uses many persuasive techniques. These techniques include:
buzzwords – the use of trendy words or phrases
faulty logic – using words that lead others to reach a conclusion that is not necessarily true
testimonial - having real people (often famous people) say good things about a product or service
association – having a real person, often a famous person, appear in an ad, but the person does not say they like or use the product. The advertiser hopes that consumers will associate, or link, the famous person with the product.
false research claims – the use of statistics or research in a misleading or tricky way to make the consumer think that the product is better than it is.
appeal to emotion – using words or pictures that give a consumer strong feelings about a product
bandwagon – to make a product seem very popular, so that consumers will think they will be “left out” if they don’t buy it.
either/or argument – to make it seem as though a consumer has only two options or choices, when in fact there are many more.
Advertising uses many persuasive techniques. These techniques include:
buzzwords – the use of trendy words or phrases
faulty logic – using words that lead others to reach a conclusion that is not necessarily true
testimonial - having real people (often famous people) say good things about a product or service
association – having a real person, often a famous person, appear in an ad, but the person does not say they like or use the product. The advertiser hopes that consumers will associate, or link, the famous person with the product.
false research claims – the use of statistics or research in a misleading or tricky way to make the consumer think that the product is better than it is.
appeal to emotion – using words or pictures that give a consumer strong feelings about a product
bandwagon – to make a product seem very popular, so that consumers will think they will be “left out” if they don’t buy it.
either/or argument – to make it seem as though a consumer has only two options or choices, when in fact there are many more.
Fact and Opinion
A fact is a statement that could be proven true.
An opinion is a statement of someone’s personal feeling or belief.
An opinion may also be someone’s judgement or conclusion – what they believe after having considered the facts.
When trying to decide whether something is a fact or an opinion, ask yourself, “Could someone argue about this? Could someone have a different viewpoint?” If the answer is yes, it is probably an opinion.
An opinion is a statement of someone’s personal feeling or belief.
An opinion may also be someone’s judgement or conclusion – what they believe after having considered the facts.
When trying to decide whether something is a fact or an opinion, ask yourself, “Could someone argue about this? Could someone have a different viewpoint?” If the answer is yes, it is probably an opinion.
Sequence of Events
What is the sequence of events?
• sequence is the order in which things happen.
• events are the things that happen.
• In writing, the events are not always told in the same order, or sequence, that they actually happened in.
How to find the sequence of events:
• Think about the order that things are happening as you read.
• Notice times and dates when they are given, and think about them in relation to what else has been happening in the text.
• Look for clue words and phrases like:
first previously
then at the same time
next initially
soon finally
before eventually
after suddenly
later simultaneously
meanwhile until then
Fix-ups if you get confused:
Re-read and look for signal words
Make a flow chart
Make a timeline
• sequence is the order in which things happen.
• events are the things that happen.
• In writing, the events are not always told in the same order, or sequence, that they actually happened in.
How to find the sequence of events:
• Think about the order that things are happening as you read.
• Notice times and dates when they are given, and think about them in relation to what else has been happening in the text.
• Look for clue words and phrases like:
first previously
then at the same time
next initially
soon finally
before eventually
after suddenly
later simultaneously
meanwhile until then
Fix-ups if you get confused:
Re-read and look for signal words
Make a flow chart
Make a timeline
Main Idea / Supporting Details
What is the main idea?
• the central or overall thought that the author wants to get across
• Usually it is a general, not a specific statement
• It is not always stated – it may need to be inferred
What are details?
More specific information about the main idea
• Who
• What
• When
• Where
• Why
• How
Details may be
• facts supporting the main idea
• examples of the main idea
• explanation of the main idea
How to find the main idea:
• Look at the title
• Look at headings and subheadings
• Look for general statements – notice if the other statements are more specific and support the general statement
• Look for repeated ideas
• Each paragraph usually has one main idea
• Notice how much time / space is devoted to different ideas – the main idea will be that idea that is talked about or supported the most
• Look at transitions and think about what they mean: phrases like “one cause,” “for example,” “after that,” usually introduce details.
• the central or overall thought that the author wants to get across
• Usually it is a general, not a specific statement
• It is not always stated – it may need to be inferred
What are details?
More specific information about the main idea
• Who
• What
• When
• Where
• Why
• How
Details may be
• facts supporting the main idea
• examples of the main idea
• explanation of the main idea
How to find the main idea:
• Look at the title
• Look at headings and subheadings
• Look for general statements – notice if the other statements are more specific and support the general statement
• Look for repeated ideas
• Each paragraph usually has one main idea
• Notice how much time / space is devoted to different ideas – the main idea will be that idea that is talked about or supported the most
• Look at transitions and think about what they mean: phrases like “one cause,” “for example,” “after that,” usually introduce details.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)