MSP Vocabulary By: Mrs. Busherd These are important vocabulary words that will be on the MSP. You will need to know the meaning.

Techniques used to convey or enhance an author’s message or voice Literary device Techniques used to convey or enhance an author’s message or voice

Figurative Language Word images and figures of speech used to enrich language. Common figures of speech are simile, metaphor, and alliteration

A repetition of a sound or letter at the beginning of words alliteration A repetition of a sound or letter at the beginning of words

A word that means a sound Example: "Buzz, Pop, Sizzle" onomatopoeia BAM! WHACK!!! A word that means a sound Example: "Buzz, Pop, Sizzle"

simile You look as white as a ghost! A figure of speech comparing two things that uses "like" or "as"

Dialogue Conversational passage in a narrative or play used to advance the plot or develop the characters.

Humor The quality that makes something laughable or amusing.

Giving animals or things the qualities of a human personification Giving animals or things the qualities of a human

idiom An expression that has a meaning different from the meaning of its individual words

It’s raining cats and dogs metaphor It’s raining cats and dogs A figure of speech that compares two things without using "like" or "as"

Alliteration Sentence Repeating the same initial sound in two or more words of a sentence or line of poetry.

Exaggeration for effect hyperbole I have a ton of homework Exaggeration for effect

Words and phrases that appeal to the reader's senses imagery The big bright hot sun shines upon us today… Words and phrases that appeal to the reader's senses

A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens irony A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens

Analogy A comparison of two pairs that have the same relationship. A dog is to dog house as a fish is to fish bowl.

Text feature A characteristic of a particular type of text such as chapter titles, sub-headings and bold faced words.

writing set apart from main text in a box. textbox writing set apart from main text in a box.

Text by a picture, map, chart that gives information caption Aww Man I’m hooked! Text by a picture, map, chart that gives information

The solution to a problem Resolution The solution to a problem

A title, sub-title or topic at the top or beginning of a section Heading A title, sub-title or topic at the top or beginning of a section

A struggle between opposing forces Conflict A struggle between opposing forces

A remark used to “make fun of” or “put down” someone. Sarcasm/ Sarcastic A remark used to “make fun of” or “put down” someone.

The gist of a passage, central thought. Chief topic. Main Idea The gist of a passage, central thought. Chief topic.

Theme/ Message Left Right What the author wants you to know, understand, or believe after reading the story (meaning, moral, main message)

The important ideas of text in a condensed form. No opinions. Summary/Summarize The important ideas of text in a condensed form. No opinions.

Understand something not directly stated assumption Understand something not directly stated

Infer To understand something not directly stated in the text by using past experience and knowledge.

Predict Try to figure out what will happen next

Making a judgment using indirect evidence inference Making a judgment using indirect evidence

contribute Add to, enhance

A difference compared with something else Contrast A difference compared with something else

compare To examine two or more people or things in order to discover the similarities between them

The state or quality of being similar; resemblance or likeness. Similarity The state or quality of being similar; resemblance or likeness.

The power of persons or things to affect others. Influence The power of persons or things to affect others.

The quality or condition of being unlike or dissimilar. Difference The quality or condition of being unlike or dissimilar.

Unimportant/irrelevant Not important, not to the point

Reliable Dependable

A belief not based on absolute certainty. What seems true, judgment. Opinion A belief not based on absolute certainty. What seems true, judgment.

Author’s Purpose The reason an author writes, such as to entertain, inform, or persuade.

Author’s Tone The author’s attitude as reflected in the manner of the author’s written expression.

Reasoning The drawing of inferences or conclusions from known or assumed facts.

Opinion given as to what to do or how to handle a situation. Advice Opinion given as to what to do or how to handle a situation.

The last step in the reasoning process Conclusion The last step in the reasoning process

Generalize Taking what is known and using it to make an inference about the nature of similar text.

Practical Suitable to being used

Having or showing good sense or sound judgment Sensible Having or showing good sense or sound judgment

Necessary or to be expected Logical Necessary or to be expected

Reasonable Within the bounds of common sense