satireA literary technique in which ideas, customs,
behaviors or institutions are ridiculed for the purpose of
improving society. |
scopeThe extent of an author's treatment of a
subject. |
secondary sourceA source that is reporting on or analyzing
information from another source. |
segmentThe division of words into syllables; the
minimal units of sequential syllables speech sounds comprising a
vowel sound or a vowel-consonant combination, as /a/, /ba/, /ab/
and /bab/. |
sensory detailsDetails perceived by sight, hearing, smell or
any mode by which one perceives stimuli outside or within the
body. |
sequencingThe arrangement in which things follow in a
logical order or a recurrent pattern; a following of one thing
after another in time. |
settingThe time and place of the action of a literary
work. |
Shared Inquiry discussionIn Shared Inquiry discussion, participants help one another search for answers to fundamental questions raised by a text. Participants come to the discussion each with their own unique way of viewing the selection and then build on their personal views through a sharing of ideas. The leader's role in this process is to provide direction and guidance for the discussion by asking questions for which they genuinely do not know the answer. Note that the leader is not an expert; the group should not look to the leader for answers. The leader assumes the role of co-learner and helps the group by asking interpretive questions that have more than one possible answer based on the text. The leader also assists the group by asking follow-up questions that encourage participants to clarify comments, support ideas with evidence from the reading, and comment on proposed interpretations. The Four Rules of Shared Inquiry Discussion 1. Only those who have read the selection may take part in discussion. Participants who have not read the selection cannot support their opinions with evidence from the text, nor can they bring knowledge of the text to bear on the opinions of others.2. Discussion is restricted to the selection that everyone has read. This rule gives everyone an equal chance to contribute because it limits discussion to a selection that all participants are familiar with and have before them. When the selection is the sole focus of discussion, it provides a base for all present to judge whether facts are accurately recalled and opinions can be supported by the reading.3. All opinions should be supported with evidence from the selection. Participants may introduce outside opinions only if they can restate those opinions in their own words and support the ideas with evidence from the reading.4. Leaders may only ask questions-they may not answer them The goal of a Shared Inquiry discussion is interpretation. As a participant in the discussion, you will gain more if you remember to: • reserve judgment until you can claim understanding • temper your urge to speak with the discipline to listen • substitute your impulse to teach with a passion to learn • hear what is said and listen for what is meant • marry your certainties with others' possibilities from The Great Books Foundation . Leaders help participants and themselves to arrive at an understanding of the text by asking questions that prompt thoughtful inquiry. |
sidebarSupplementary information that is printed
alongside the main text. |
sight wordA word that is immediately recognized as a
whole and does not require word analysis for identification. |
simileA figure of speech in which a comparison is made between two unlike things using the words "like" or "as" (e.g., she's as sly as a fox).
A simile uses the words “like” or “as” to compare one object
or idea with another to suggest they are alike. |
skim and scanTo examine or read something quickly, but
selectively, for a particular purpose. |
soliloquyA speech, usually given alone on stage, in
which a character speaks aloud his or her thoughts. |
soundthe manipulation of language sounds |
spondeea two-syllable foot with both syllables
stressed. |
stanzaa part of a poem, based on form of meter and
rhyme |
static characterA character who does not change during a
story. |
stereotypeA character who possesses "expected" traits of a group rather than being an individual. Using stereotypes is usually considered an indication of poor quality, especially in cases such as members of minority groups, people with disabilities, or women. However, stereotypes can be useful in furthering the story quickly and are acceptable in minor roles if they do not provide hurtful portraits of the groups in question. |
stereotypingA standardized mental picture that is held in
common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified
opinion, prejudiced attitude or uncritical judgment. |
stressthe emhasis given to certain syllables in
words. |
styleAn author's distinctive manner of
expression. |
subplotThe secondary action of a story that
reinforces or contrasts with the main plot. |
suffixAn affix attached to the end of a base, root
or stem that changes the meaning or grammatical function of a word,
as -en added to form oxen. |
suspenseA state of tension, a sense of
uncertainty, an emotional pull which keeps the reader reading. All
plots need some suspense to sustain interest. |
symbolA concrete thing used to suggest something
larger and more abstract. |
synonym
One of two or more words in a language that have similar
meanings Example:
|
syntaxThe way in which sentences are formed; the
grammatical rules that govern their formation; the pattern or
structure of word order in sentences, clauses and phrases. |
synthesizing questionA question that asks a responder to combine
separate elements into one concept. |