Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC) English Language Arts / Literacy: Reading Syllabus

What is the difference between a stated and an implied main idea?

A stated main idea is written explicitly in the text; an implied main idea must be inferred by synthesizing the supporting details.

What does it mean to 'summarize' a text?

To restate the main idea and most important supporting points concisely in your own words, leaving out minor details and personal opinion.

Name five common informational text structures.

Chronological/sequence, cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution, and description/listing.

What signal words indicate a cause-and-effect text structure?

Words such as 'because,' 'since,' 'therefore,' 'as a result,' 'consequently,' and 'due to.'

What signal words indicate a compare-and-contrast structure?

Words such as 'however,' 'similarly,' 'in contrast,' 'on the other hand,' 'likewise,' 'whereas,' and 'unlike.'

How do text features like headings, subheadings, and bold terms aid comprehension?

They preview content, signal organization, highlight key vocabulary, and help readers locate and prioritize important information.

Why does an author's choice of text structure matter?

The structure organizes ideas to emphasize relationships (such as causes, sequences, or comparisons) and guides how the reader understands the information.

What is an author's purpose, and what are the three broad purposes (PIE)?

The reason an author writes: to Persuade, to Inform, or to Entertain.

What is the difference between a 'claim' and 'evidence' in an argument?

A claim is the arguable position the author asserts; evidence is the facts, data, examples, or expert testimony provided to support that claim.

What is a 'counterclaim' and why do authors include one?

A counterclaim is an opposing viewpoint; authors acknowledge and refute it to strengthen their own argument and appear fair and credible.

What are the three rhetorical appeals (modes of persuasion)?

Ethos (appeal to credibility/character), pathos (appeal to emotion), and logos (appeal to logic and reason).

How can a reader identify an author's perspective or bias?

By examining word choice, which facts are included or omitted, the tone, and whether the author presents one side disproportionately.

What does it mean to 'integrate information across sources'?

To combine and synthesize ideas, evidence, and viewpoints from two or more texts to build a fuller understanding or answer a question.

When two sources disagree, what should a careful reader do?

Compare the evidence, evaluate the credibility and reasoning of each source, and determine which claims are better supported rather than accepting one uncritically.

What is 'synthesis' as opposed to 'summary' when working with multiple texts?

A summary restates one text's main points; synthesis weaves together ideas from several texts to create a new, combined understanding or argument.

What are context clues and what are common types?

Hints in surrounding text that reveal a word's meaning; types include definition, synonym/restatement, antonym/contrast, example, and inference from the general sentence.

What is an antonym context clue?

A clue where a contrasting word or phrase (often signaled by 'but,' 'unlike,' or 'however') indicates the unknown word means the opposite of a nearby word.

What strategy uses surrounding sentences to define an unfamiliar word?

Using context clues: reading before and after the word for definitions, examples, or contrasts that reveal its meaning.

What is a root word, and why is it useful for decoding vocabulary?

The core part of a word that carries its basic meaning; knowing roots (e.g., 'spect' = to look) helps infer the meanings of unfamiliar related words.

What is the difference between a prefix and a suffix?

A prefix is added to the beginning of a base word to change its meaning (e.g., 're-', 'un-'); a suffix is added to the end, often changing meaning or part of speech (e.g., '-tion', '-able').

What does the study of etymology examine?

The origin and historical development of words, including their root languages (such as Greek and Latin) and how their forms and meanings have changed over time.

How does the Greek root 'graph' help determine word meanings?

'Graph' means 'to write' or 'draw,' so it signals writing/recording in words like 'autograph,' 'paragraph,' 'photograph,' and 'graphic.'

What is the difference between denotation and connotation?

Denotation is a word's literal dictionary meaning; connotation is the emotional or cultural association it carries (e.g., 'cheap' vs. 'inexpensive').

What is figurative language, and name four common figures of speech.

Language used non-literally for effect; examples include simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole.

What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?

A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as'; a metaphor states one thing is another directly, without those words.

What is an idiom?

A common expression whose figurative meaning differs from the literal meanings of its words (e.g., 'break the ice' means to ease tension).

What are academic (Tier 2) vocabulary words, and why are they important?

High-frequency words used across many subjects (e.g., 'analyze,' 'evaluate,' 'infer') that are essential for understanding instructions and complex texts on assessments.

What are domain-specific (Tier 3) vocabulary words?

Specialized terms tied to a particular subject or field (e.g., 'photosynthesis' in science, 'metaphor' in literature) that are critical to understanding that content.

What is the difference between a fact and an opinion in evaluating reasoning?

A fact can be proven true or false with evidence; an opinion expresses a belief, judgment, or feeling that cannot be objectively verified.

What is a logical fallacy, and name two common examples.

A flaw in reasoning that weakens an argument; examples include the bandwagon appeal (everyone does it) and the hasty generalization (a conclusion from insufficient evidence).

What questions help evaluate whether an author's reasoning is sound?

Is the evidence relevant, sufficient, and credible? Are the claims logically connected? Are counterarguments addressed and assumptions reasonable?

When comparing two texts on the same topic, what aspects should you analyze?

Their main ideas, purposes, evidence, tone, perspectives, structures, and how each shapes the presentation of the shared subject.

How do different genres (e.g., a poem vs. an article) shape the same subject differently?

Genre conventions affect form, language, structure, and purpose, so a poem may use imagery and emotion while an article uses facts and logical organization.

What is the difference between a primary source and a secondary source?

A primary source is a firsthand, original account or artifact (e.g., a diary or interview); a secondary source analyzes or interprets primary sources (e.g., a textbook or review).

Why should a reader integrate text with visual or quantitative information such as charts and graphs?

Because diagrams, tables, maps, and graphs present data and relationships that confirm, clarify, or extend the points made in the written text.

What key parts of a graph or chart should you read before interpreting its data?

The title, axis labels and units, the legend/key, and the scale, so you understand exactly what the visual is measuring.