Compare: how things are alike
Contrast: how things are different
Clue Words: like, both, different, however
Cause: Why something happened
Effect: What happened
Clue words: so, because, since
Generalize: Broad statement about how things are alike
Clue Words: all, none, most, few, always, never, generally
Fact: Can be proved true or false. Ask an expert or by reading.
Opinion: Someone’s thoughts or feelings. Cannot be proven.
Clue words: should, best, I think
Plot: The most important thing in the beginning, middle, and end.
Theme: Big idea.
Main Idea: The most important thing about the who or what.
· Who or what is it mostly about?
· What is the most important thing about the who or what?
· Usually 1st or last sentence.
Vocabulary Strategy for
Synonyms
1. Look at the words and sentences near the unknown word.
2. Do you recognize a word that might be a synonym?
3. Try the synonym in place of the unknown word. Does it make sense?
Vocabulary Strategy for Antonyms
1. Look at the words and sentences around the unknown word. The author may have used an antonym.
2. Look for words that have opposite meanings.
3. Use that word to help you figure out the meaning of its antonym.
Sequence
· The order in which events happen.
· Clue Words: First, next, then, finally
Vocabulary Strategy for
Compound Words
1. Divide the compound word into its two small words.
2. Think of the meaning of each word. Put the tow meanings together. Does this help you understand the meaning of the word?
3. Try the new meaning in the sentence. Does it make sense?
Draw Conclusions
· A conclusion is a decision or opinion that makes sense based on facts and details.
· You can also use what you already know to draw a conclusion.
Vocabulary Strategy for Unfamiliar Words
1. Read the words and sentences around the unknown word. Sometimes the author tells you what the word means.
2. If not, use the words and sentences to predict the meaning of the word.
3. Try that word in the sentence. Does it make sense?
Author’s Purpose
· The reason an author has for writing.
· The author usually writes to inform, to persuade, to entertain, or to express an opinion.
Strategy:
Readers use what they already know to help you understand an author’s purpose.
Vocabulary Strategy for Homonyms
1. Reread the words and sentences around the word. Look for clues for the word’s meaning.
2. Draw a conclusion about another meaning for the word.
3. Try the meaning in the sentence. Does it make sense?