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Context clues are hints found in a sentence or paragraph that help you figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Instead of using a dictionary, you can use the words around the new word to understand it better.

Theres various types of context clues included in the following:

Definition Clue
The sentence explains the meaning of the word right away.

Example: A tsunami is a huge ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake.

Clue: The definition is given after the word.

Synonym Clue
The sentence uses a word that means the same.

Example: She was furious, or very angry, when she saw the mess.

Clue: “Very angry” means the same as “furious.”

Antonym (Opposite) Clue
The sentence shows the opposite meaning.

Example: Unlike his careless brother, John is very careful when driving.

Clue: “Careful” is the opposite of “careless,” so it helps explain the word.

Example Clue
The sentence gives examples to explain the word.

Example: He enjoys extreme sports, such as skydiving, rock climbing, and bungee jumping.

Clue: The examples help you understand what “extreme sports” are.

Inference Clue
You have to guess the meaning by using the details in the sentence.

Example: After running a marathon, she felt so exhausted that she couldn’t stand up.

Clue: Since she ran a marathon and couldn’t stand, “exhausted” probably means tired.

The showcase will explain more in detail about the different types of context clues and the general idea of context clues: youtube.com/watch?v=p-ScSUQKB60&ab_channel=RubyroseBaldovino

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Informational elements are parts of a nonfiction text that help explain and support the main idea. These include things like headings, facts, examples, definitions, and visuals such as charts or images. They give readers important details and evidence to better understand the topic. These elements also help organize the information and make the text clearer and easier to follow.

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This prep toolkit is to prep you to study in the topics of literary elements, informational elements, vocabulary, and writing. All these category's help your understanding when it comes to reading anything like poems and stories.

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Literary elements are the basic building blocks writers use to tell a story or create a piece of literature. They help shape how the story is told and how readers understand and connect. These elements guide how a story unfolds, who it's about, where it takes place, and what messages or feelings it tries to share. In simple terms, literary elements are the tools that help bring a story to life.

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This youtube video will explain the difference between mood and tone to understand the two.

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Mood is the overall emotional atmosphere or feeling that a reader experiences when engaging with a piece of literature; it reflects how the story makes the reader feel. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Tell-Tale Heart,” the mood is dark, eerie, and suspenseful, making the reader feel uneasy and tense. Tone, on the other hand, is the author’s attitude toward the subject, characters, or audience, conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, and style. In Mark Twain’s novel “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” the tone is often humorous, sarcastic, and critical of society, reflecting Twain’s personal views on social issues.

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Ms. Jonas-Bennet

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Literary Elements

Informational Elements

Vocabulary

Writing

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A theme is the main idea or message of a story. It’s what the author wants to teach the reader.

In Captain Underpants, one theme is the power of imagination. George and Harold use their creativity to solve problems and even create Captain Underpants. The story shows that using your imagination can help you overcome challenges. Another theme is standing up to unfair rules. George and Harold often challenge their strict principal, Mr. Krupp, showing that it’s okay to question authority when things aren’t fair.

Theres more elaboration on theme when it comes to this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXyvye6iswY&ab_channel=Ms.Dorismond%27sVirtualCorner

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Figurative language is when writers use words creatively to make their writing more interesting and lively.

For example, a metaphor is a type of figurative language that compares two things without using "like" or "as." An example would be, "Time is a thief."

Another type is an idiom, which is a common phrase that has a different meaning than the literal words. For example, "It's raining cats and dogs" means it is raining very heavily.

Hyperbole is another example. It is an exaggeration used to make a point. For instance, saying, "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" means you are very hungry, but not literally ready to eat a horse.

An example of figurative language in a paragraph:

" The classroom was a zoo, with students talking and laughing all around. The clock ticked slowly, as if it were dragging its feet, making the day feel endless. It was raining cats and dogs outside, flooding the playground in minutes. I was so hungry by lunchtime, I thought I could eat a horse! "

This paragraph uses a metaphor ("the classroom was a zoo") to show how noisy and chaotic the classroom felt, an idiom ("raining cats and dogs") to describe heavy rain, and a hyperbole ("eat a horse") to express extreme hunger.

The exerpt I used gives a deeper analysis of figurative language: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/figurative-language-examples

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"days of heaven" is a great example for being known for its sophisticated diction

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Diction is the choice of words a writer uses in their writing. It affects the tone, meaning, and how the reader feels about the text. Writers can use formal or informal words depending on who they are writing for. For example, in a formal essay, a writer might use words like "important" or "show," while in casual writing, they might use simpler words like "big" or "tell." The words an author chooses help set the mood and make the writing feel a certain way.

The article I chose for my research involves a more detailed explanation and with different types of diction also: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-diction-learn-8-different-types-of-diction-in-writing-with-examples

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The central idea is the main point or message of a text. It’s what the author wants you to understand most. All the other information in the text supports this idea. For example, if you read a passage about why sleep is important, the central idea might be that getting enough sleep helps your body and brain stay healthy. The author might give examples like how sleep helps you focus in school or gives your body time to rest and heal. Another example could be a text about recycling, where the central idea is that recycling helps protect the environment. The author might support this by explaining how recycling reduces pollution and saves natural resources.

This video helps to give more details on the central idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NJsZvpjDbc&ab_channel=AmyLemons

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Vocabulary is all the words you know and use in everyday life. whether you're texting, talking, reading, or writing. The more words you learn, the easier it is to say what you mean and understand others. In 2025, having a strong vocabulary will help with school, social media, and even future jobs. You grow your vocabulary by reading, watching content, or just having conversations.

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Rhetorical appeals and rhetorical devices are ways that writers or speakers use to make their argument stronger and more convincing. There are four main rhetorical appeals: ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos. Ethos is when the writer tries to show they are trustworthy or an expert. For example, if a doctor advises about staying healthy, people are more likely to listen because the doctor has experience. Pathos is when the writer tries to make the audience feel emotions like sadness or happiness. For example, a commercial showing sad animals to make people want to donate is using pathos. Logos is when the writer uses facts, numbers, or logic to prove their point. For example, saying that recycling helps reduce waste by 30% is using logos because it uses facts. Kairos is about timing—choosing the right moment to say something to make it more effective. For example, a speech about voting given right before an election is using kairos because the timing makes the message more powerful.

Rhetorical devices are techniques that writers and speakers use to make their message more effective, persuasive, and memorable. These devices help grab the audience’s attention and appeal to emotions or logic. Here are some common types of rhetorical devices:

1. Repetition – Repeating words or phrases to make an idea clearer or more powerful.
Example: “We must fight. We must stand. We must win.”

2. Rhetorical Question – Asking a question without expecting an answer, used to make the audience think.
Example: “How can we ignore this problem any longer?”

3. Parallelism – Using a similar structure in a series of words or phrases to create rhythm and balance.
Example: “She came, she saw, she conquered.”

4. Hyperbole – Exaggeration used to make a strong point.
Example: “I’ve told you a million times.”

5. Allusion – A reference to a well-known person, event, or story to connect ideas.
Example: “He had the strength of Hercules.”

6. Anaphora – A type of repetition where the same word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of multiple sentences or clauses.
Example: “Every day we fight. Every day we rise. Every day we believe.”

My research and better understanding of rhetorical appeals/devices were from a student source from the University of Arkansas: https://success.uark.edu/get-help/student-resources/rhetorical-analysis.php

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Connotation is the feeling or idea that a word makes you think of, beyond its dictionary meaning. For example, the word “home” means a place where you live, but its connotation might be warmth, safety, or family. Some words can have positive, negative, or neutral connotations depending on how they’re used. Knowing connotations helps you choose the right words to match the mood or tone you want.

Annotation is when you add notes or comments to a text while you read. These notes can explain what something means, ask a question, or highlight an important part. Students often annotate books, articles, or poems to better understand what’s going on. Annotation helps you think more deeply about what you’re reading and makes it easier to study or discuss later.

This video provides a clear explanation of connotation and annotation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0akeQMlvcAs

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Text structure is the way a writer organizes information in a passage. Understanding text structure helps readers follow the writer’s ideas more easily. There are five main types of text structure:

1. Description – This structure gives details about a person, place, thing, or idea. The goal is to help the reader create a clear picture. For example, a paragraph about a rainforest might describe the trees, animals, and climate.

2. Sequence (or Chronological Order) – This structure shows events in the order they happen, often using dates or steps. For example, a passage about how a butterfly grows might list the stages from egg to adult in the right order.

3. Cause and Effect – This structure explains why something happened (the cause) and what happened because of it (the effect). For example, a story about a flood might say it happened because of heavy rain and explain the damage it caused.

4. Compare and Contrast – This structure shows how two or more things are alike and different. For example, a passage might compare dogs and cats by showing how they are both pets but have different behaviors.

5. Problem and Solution – This structure shows a problem and then gives one or more ways to solve it. For example, a passage might talk about too much trash in the ocean and suggest recycling or reducing plastic use as solutions.

Knowing these structures helps you understand what you’re reading and find the main ideas more easily.

This song helps you understand and remember the different types of text structures:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kWGQ-_ipBY&ab_channel=Flocabulary

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An informative or expository essay is a type of writing that explains a topic or gives information in a clear and organized way. The goal is to teach the reader something new without sharing your opinion or showing any bias. These essays use facts, examples, and explanations. There are four main parts to an informative/expository essay: the introduction, body paragraphs, supporting details, and the conclusion.

The introduction starts by introducing the topic and giving some background information. It ends with a thesis statement, which clearly tells the reader what the essay will explain.

The body paragraphs come next. Each one focuses on a different part of the topic. These paragraphs include facts, examples, and explanations to help the reader understand the subject better. Inside the body paragraphs, you also include supporting details. These are facts, steps, or examples that help explain each main point. Good supporting details make the writing clearer and more convincing.

The conclusion is the last part of the essay. It restates the main idea in a new way and sums up the key points. This helps wrap up the essay and reminds the reader what they learned.

For example, if you are writing about the basics of finance, your introduction might explain what finance is and why it matters. The body paragraphs would cover topics like saving money, budgeting, and investing. The conclusion would remind the reader of the key ideas and why understanding finance is important for managing money well. Throughout the essay, it’s important to give facts and information without sharing your own opinions or taking sides.

The film explains in more detail about the examples and information about informative/expository essays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBbN9OYJA4E&ab_channel=Tutors

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An argumentative essay is a type of writing where you choose a side on an issue and try to convince others to agree with you. It’s not just about giving your opinion; you need to support it with strong reasons, facts, and examples. There are four main parts to an argumentative essay: the introduction, body paragraphs, the counterclaim, and the conclusion.

The introduction starts by getting the reader’s attention and introducing the topic. It ends with a clear thesis statement, which is a sentence that shares your main argument or opinion.

Next are the body paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on one reason that supports your argument. Use facts, examples, and evidence to make your point more believable and strong.

After that, you include a counterclaim. This is where you mention the other side of the argument. You explain what someone who disagrees with you might say, then show why your side still makes more sense.

Finally, the conclusion brings everything together. You repeat your main idea and remind the reader of your best points. This is your last chance to explain why your opinion matters and why the reader should agree with you.

For example, if you are writing about how technology helps education, you could argue that it gives students access to more learning tools, makes it easier to do research, and helps teachers provide quick feedback. You might also mention that some people think technology is a distraction, but you could respond by saying that it improves focus and learning when used correctly.

This video explains the key elements of an argumentative essay and provides clear examples to illustrate its structure and techniques: https://study.com/academy/lesson/video/argumentative-essay-paper-definition-examples-quiz.html

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Writing can be defined as the process of using symbols, letters, or words to communicate ideas, thoughts, or information. It allows people to share messages, tell stories, explain ideas, or express feelings through written language. For example, Stephen King uses writing to create stories that capture readers’ imaginations, like in his book It, where he builds suspense and explores complex characters to keep people interested. Writing helps people connect, learn, and understand the world in different ways.