TSI Reading

main idea - the author's central thought; what an author wants to say about a topic topic - overall subject of a text compare (verb) - to find similarities contrast (verb) - to find differences context clue - a word, phrase, or sentence in the text around an unfamiliar word that helps you identify the word's meaning text evidence - evidence from the reading selection that proves the answer to a question about the text author's purpose - the author's intent either to inform, to entertain, or to persuade inference - a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning simile - a direct comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as" supporting details - facts or details that help develop and support the main idea author's argument - the position/stance the author puts forward, supported by reasons or assumptions analogous (adj.) - comparable to; like metaphor - a direct comparison that is literally false; does not use "like" or "as"