Definitions from
The Literacy Dictionary: The Vocabulary
of
Richard E. Hodges, editors; International
Reading Association, 1995.
Definitions of terms contained in the
glossary vary from expert to expert. For
the purposes of this document, the committee has agreed to the following definitions.
analogy: a
comparison of similar objects
analyze: identifying the parts of a
whole and their relationships to one another
anticipation guide: a study guide or pre-assessment given to
students to set the tone before a topic,
concept, or lesson is taught
APA: American Psychological Association
archetypal criticism: the study of apparently perennial images,
themes, symbols, stories, and myths in literature, including narratives that unite the seasons with
literary genresÖ
audience: the intended target group of a messageÖ
authentic: representative of the real world Ö
author intent: the motive or reason for which an author
writes, as to entertain, inform or persuade Ö
cadence: rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in
language
causal chain: the
premise that the structure of knowledge, as in a narrative, may be revealed by an analysis for the organization of
the chain of events or states, see also mapping,
causal chain Ö
cause and effect: a stated or implied association between an
outcome and the conditions which brought it about, often an organizing
principle in narrative and expository text, as TV violence causes crime Ö
character mapping: See mapping,
character
classic: a literary work regarded by successive generations
as part of the core experience of a culture, a society, or a particular time
period; a work that is read by successive generations of readers
classical literature: literary works which successive generations
of readers have regarded as essential for a particular culture’s understanding
of its tradition; literary works which have become standard reading for a
particular group of people or period of time
classification: to place an idea into a general category
cluster maps: see mapping, cluster
compare and contrast: a literary technique of
placing together like characters, situations, concepts, or ideas to show common
or contrasting features Ö
comprehension strategies: process in which the reader constructs
meaning interacting with text through a combination of prior knowledge, information available in text, the stance taken in
relationship to the text, and social interactions and communications Ö
concept mapping: See mapping,
concept
context(s): the sounds, words or
phrases adjacent to a spoken or written language unit; the social or cultural
situation in which a spoken or written message occurs Ö
contextual clues: information from the immediate context that helps identify a word or
groups of words by words, phrases, sentences, illustrations, syntax,
typography, etc. Ö
conventions: an accepted practice in a spoken or written
language. Conventions include punctuation, grammar, and spelling Ö
criteria for evaluating
literature: a standard of judgment used in such cognitive
tasks as Literary criticism and
logical proof Ö
definition: the process of assigning an idea to a general
category and distinguishing that idea from other similar ideas in that category
description: a type of writing which gives a verbal
picture of character and event, including the setting in which they occur Ö
descriptive: See description
dialect: a social or regional variety of a particular
language with phonological, grammatical, and lexical patterns that distinguish
it from other varieties Ö
effective writing: satisfies author’s purpose and the needs of
the audience
expository: See narrative
and expository writing and reading
exposition: See narrative
and expository writing and reading
external sources: a strategy which includes using sources
outside the passage where the word is found such as or including dictionary,
glossary, peers, and/or teacher
fact and opinion: (facts) statements of information that can be
verified as true, as opposed to (opinion), statements of belief, judgments, or
points of view that are based on personal preferences or biases
fluency: 1. the clear, easy, written or spoken
expression of ideas 2. freedom from
word-identification problems that might hinder comprehension in silent reading
or the express of ideas in oral reading; automaticity 3. The
ability to produce words or larger language units in a limited time
interval. Note: This type of fluency is often tested in a comprehensive reading diagnosis. 4. The
ability to execute motor movements smoothly, easily, and readily Ö
fluent reader: 1. A reader whose performance exceeds normal expectation with respect to age and ability; independent reader 2. Any person who reads smoothly, without hesitation and with comprehension
fluent writer: a writer skilled
in language and expert in topic