English Glossary

A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, telling which one, what kind, or how many. For example, in "the tall, old tree," both "tall" and "old" are adjectives. Adjectives add detail and make writing more precise and vivid.

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often telling how, when, where, or to what extent. For example, in "she ran quickly," "quickly" describes how she ran. Many adverbs end in "-ly."

The repetition of the same beginning consonant sound in a series of nearby words, such as "Peter Piper picked a peck." Alliteration creates rhythm and draws attention to phrases. It is often used in poetry, tongue twisters, and advertising.

A brief, indirect reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of literature. For example, calling someone a "Romeo" alludes to Shakespeare's romantic hero. Allusions let writers suggest rich meaning quickly by drawing on shared knowledge.

Words that have opposite meanings, such as "hot" and "cold" or "happy" and "sad." Antonyms help clarify meaning through contrast and expand a reader's vocabulary. They are often used to define words and sharpen descriptions.

A set of statements in which reasons and evidence are offered to support a claim or position. A strong argument states a clear claim, backs it with evidence, and addresses opposing views. Arguments are central to persuasive and analytical writing.

A tendency to favour one side, person, or viewpoint, often shown through word choice or by leaving out information. Loaded or emotional language can signal bias. Recognizing bias helps readers evaluate how fair and reliable a text is.

A relationship in which one event (the cause) makes another event (the effect) happen. For example, heavy rain (cause) leads to flooding (effect). Recognizing cause and effect helps readers understand how and why events in a text are connected.

A person, animal, or being who takes part in the events of a story. Main characters drive the plot, while minor characters support it, and well-developed characters change over the course of a story. Readers understand characters through their words, actions, and thoughts.

A reference that gives credit to the source of information, ideas, or quotations used in a piece of writing. Citations identify the author, title, and other details so readers can find the source. Proper citation avoids plagiarism and supports credibility.

A way of examining two or more things by identifying their similarities (compare) and differences (contrast). For example, comparing two characters reveals what they share and how they differ. This skill deepens understanding and organizes ideas in writing.

A word that joins words, phrases, or clauses, such as "and," "but," "or," and "because." For example, "I wanted to go, but it was raining." Conjunctions connect ideas and help build longer, more complex sentences.

The feelings or associations a word carries beyond its literal definition. For example, "thrifty" and "cheap" have similar meanings but different connotations—one positive, one negative. Understanding connotation helps readers and writers choose words carefully.

Hints within surrounding words or sentences that help a reader work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. For example, a nearby definition, example, or contrast can reveal meaning. Using context clues builds vocabulary and supports independent reading.

The literal, dictionary definition of a word, without the emotions or associations it may carry. For example, the denotation of "home" is simply a place where one lives. Denotation contrasts with connotation, the feelings a word suggests.

Language that goes beyond the literal meaning of words to create an effect, including devices such as metaphor, simile, and personification. For instance, "the wind whispered" is figurative because wind cannot truly whisper. It adds depth, emotion, and imagery to writing.

A category of literature or writing defined by shared style, form, or content, such as mystery, poetry, biography, or science fiction. Knowing a text's genre sets up expectations about its features. Genres help readers and writers organize and understand texts.

Words that sound the same but have different meanings and usually different spellings, such as "to," "too," and "two," or "their" and "there." Homophones often cause spelling mistakes, so understanding them improves accurate writing.

A figure of speech that uses deliberate, obvious exaggeration for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally. For example, "I've told you a million times." Hyperbole adds humour, drama, or emphasis to writing and speech.

A common expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meaning of its words. For example, "break the ice" means to ease tension, not to shatter frozen water. Idioms are part of everyday language and vary between cultures.

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—to create pictures in the reader's mind. For example, "the crisp autumn air carried the scent of woodsmoke" appeals to smell and touch. Writers use imagery to make scenes vivid and memorable.

A conclusion a reader draws by combining clues in a text with their own prior knowledge, rather than from information stated directly. For example, if a character shivers and zips up a coat, the reader infers it is cold. Making inferences is central to deeper reading comprehension.

A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens or is meant. In verbal irony, a speaker says the opposite of what they mean, as in calling a downpour "lovely weather." Irony adds humour, emphasis, or deeper meaning to writing.

The most important point or central thought that a text or passage conveys. Supporting details explain or back up the main idea, which may be stated directly or implied. Finding the main idea helps readers summarize and understand a text.

A figure of speech that describes one thing as if it were another to suggest a likeness, without using "like" or "as." For example, "Time is a thief" frames time as something that steals moments from us. Metaphors create vivid images and deepen meaning in writing.

Writing that tells a story, real or imagined, usually with characters, a setting, and a sequence of events. Narratives often include a conflict and follow a plot from beginning to end. Short stories, novels, and personal anecdotes are forms of narrative writing.

The voice that tells a story. The narrator may be a character within the story or an outside voice, and may be reliable or unreliable. Who narrates a story shapes the information and perspective the reader receives.

A word that names a person, place, thing, or idea, such as "teacher," "city," "book," or "freedom." Nouns can be common or proper, singular or plural. They are one of the basic building blocks of sentences.

A word that imitates the natural sound it describes, such as "buzz," "crash," or "sizzle." Onomatopoeia makes writing more vivid by letting readers almost hear the sounds. It is common in poetry, comics, and descriptive writing.

Restating someone else's ideas in your own words while keeping the original meaning. Unlike summarizing, a paraphrase is usually about the same length as the original. Paraphrasing helps writers use sources without copying and shows understanding.

A figure of speech that gives human qualities to animals, objects, or ideas. For example, "the wind howled" gives the wind the human ability to howl. Personification makes descriptions more vivid and brings non-human things to life.

Writing that aims to convince the reader to accept a viewpoint or take an action, using reasons, evidence, and appeals. Techniques include logical arguments, emotional appeals, and addressing counterarguments. Advertisements, editorials, and speeches are common examples.

The sequence of events that make up a story, usually built around a conflict. A typical plot moves through exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The plot gives a story structure and keeps readers engaged.

The perspective from which a story is told. First-person uses "I," while third-person describes characters as "he," "she," or "they," sometimes knowing all characters' thoughts (omniscient). Point of view shapes how much the reader knows and whose feelings they share.

A word part added to the beginning of a base word to change its meaning. For example, adding "un-" to "happy" makes "unhappy," meaning not happy. Knowing common prefixes helps readers work out the meanings of unfamiliar words.

A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word, often indicating place, time, or direction, such as "in," "on," "under," or "before." For example, "the cat is under the table." Prepositions begin phrases that add detail.

A word that takes the place of a noun to avoid repetition, such as "he," "she," "it," "they," or "this." For example, instead of repeating "Maria," we can say "she." Pronouns must agree with the nouns they replace.

The repetition of similar ending sounds in words, often at the ends of lines in poems, such as "cat" and "hat." Rhyme creates rhythm and musicality and can make text more memorable. It is a common feature of poetry and songs.

The time and place in which a story happens, including the historical period, location, and surrounding environment. The setting creates atmosphere and can influence characters and events. For example, a story set during a storm may feel tense and dramatic.

A figure of speech that compares two different things using the words "like" or "as." For example, "as brave as a lion" compares a person's courage to a lion's. Similes make descriptions more vivid and help readers picture ideas clearly.

A word part added to the end of a base word to change its meaning or part of speech. For example, adding "-ful" to "hope" makes "hopeful." Recognizing suffixes helps readers decode new words and understand how words function.

Restating the main ideas and key details of a text briefly and in one's own words, leaving out minor details. A good summary captures what matters most without changing the meaning. Summarizing shows comprehension and helps readers remember information.

A unit of pronunciation containing a single vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonants. The word "water" has two syllables: wa-ter. Breaking words into syllables helps readers decode and spell longer words.

The use of an object, person, or action to represent a larger idea or meaning. For example, a dove often symbolizes peace. Symbolism lets writers suggest complex ideas indirectly and give deeper meaning to a story.

Words that have the same or nearly the same meaning, such as "big" and "large." Synonyms let writers vary their word choice and find the most precise term. Knowing synonyms strengthens vocabulary and writing.

The arrangement of words and phrases to form well-structured sentences. Syntax includes the order of subjects, verbs, and objects and the way clauses are combined. Varying syntax affects the rhythm, clarity, and emphasis of writing.

The central message, lesson, or underlying idea that a text explores. Unlike the topic, the theme is what the work says about that topic—for example, "perseverance leads to growth." Identifying themes helps readers understand a work's deeper meaning.

The writer's or speaker's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and style. A tone can be serious, humorous, sarcastic, or hopeful, among many others. Recognizing tone helps readers grasp how they are meant to feel about the content.

A word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being, such as "run," "happen," or "is." Verbs are essential to sentences because they tell what the subject does or is. Their form changes to show tense, such as past or present.