1. PSSA PREPARATION LEQ: Why is it important to prepare for the PSSA?

2. What is a prefix? A prefix is a word or part of a word that you put "in front" of another word to create a new word or change it's meaning. EXAMPLES: dis-, pre-, un-

3. What is a suffix? What is a suffix? A suffix is a word or part of a word that you put "at the end" of another word to create a new word or change it's meaning. EXAMPLES: -ing, -end, and -s

4. Main Idea The main idea of a paragraph is what all the sentences are about. During the PSSA, read each paragraph and ask, “What’s your point?” That will help you zero in on the main idea.

5. Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant. There should be at least two repetitions in a row. For example: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. The first letter, p, is a consonant. It is repeated many times. (If you use a syllable rather than a consonant, it is assonance.)

6. Simile Simile is when you compare two nouns (persons, places or things) that are unlike, with "like" or "as.“ Examples: The water is like the sun. My mind is as brave as a warrior of the night.

7. Metaphor Metaphor is when you use two nouns and compare or contrast them to one another. Unlike simile, you don't use "like" or "as" in the comparison. Examples: I am a rainbow ("I am a rainbow" is a example of metaphor because it is comparing two nouns, a person, and a rainbow, but does not use like or as.) I am not Anger ("I am not anger" is an example of metaphor because it is contrasting two nouns.)