Transcript Georgia High School Graduation Test

Georgia High School
Graduation Test
Language Arts Review
Identifying the Author’s Purpose
To entertain
To inform
To instruct
To persuade an audience
to do or believe something
Identifying Tone
Tone is a writer’s attitude toward his
or her subject.
May be communicated through word
choice, details, and direct statements.
Identifying Tone:
Tone may be humorous, serious,
sarcastic, compassionate, angry,
ironic, sarcastic, playful, friendly,
casual, forceful, and tactful (just to
name a few)
Determine if the tone is more positive
or negative and choose answer
accordingly
Identifying Theme
This theme may be a lesson about
life, people, or actions.
Themes are often implied and must
be inferred (or figured out) by the
reader.
Identifying Main Ideas
The key concept the writer
is trying to express.
To identify the main idea:
Read the selection to get a
general sense of the subject and
tone.
Reread the selection, paying
attention to details that support a
central theme.
Main ideas are often expressed in
a topic or concluding sentence, or
may also be implied.
Using Context Clues to
Determine Meaning
Sometimes you can figure out the
meaning of an unknown word
from its surrounding words.
Context Clues
The writer may restate or define
the word’s meaning in later
phrases.
Example: There was something
very disconcerting about the
man’s behavior; it made her feel
uneasy.
Context Clues
The writer may give an example of
the word.
Example: She was so meticulous that
each hanger in her closet was spaced
exactly one-quarter inch from the next
hanger, and every article of clothing
faced left.
Context Clues
The unknown word may be
compared or contrasted with a
familiar word.
Example: He eschewed all family
gatherings, while his sister
embraced them.
Context Clues
The meaning of the word may be
implied by the language and tone
of the sentence.
Example: The boy was punished
for his surly behavior.
Determining Meaning from Prefixes,
Suffixes, and Roots
See Handout for meanings
Root word is the main part
indescribable
Prefix is a word part attached to the
beginning of a word; usually changes
the meaning.
indescribable
Suffix – attached to the end of a word
indescribable
Distinguishing Fact from Opinion
A fact is a statement that can be
proven.
Facts often include specific details or
direct statements.
An opinion is a statement based on a
person’s beliefs.
Opinions often include descriptive
words.
Distinguishing Fact from Opinion
Just because you do not know
something to be true, does not mean
it is not a fact.
This is NOT a true/false test. There
are NO “trick” questions on here.
If a statement that can be proven, it
is a fact.
Using the Research Process
Choose a topic
Formulate questions
Identify key words
Choose sources
Skim materials, paraphrase and take
notes
Organize information
Summarize and present
Logical Relationships and Fallacies
A valid argument contains good logic,
solid evidence, or clear reasons and
examples from the reading selection.
A fallacy or false argument contains
poor logic, weak evidence, or faulty
reasons and examples
Main Types of Fallacies
Jumping to Conclusions – a claim
with little proof to support it
Ad Hominem – attacking the person
rather than his or her ideas
Circular Argument – part of an
argument is used as evidence to
support it
Main Types of Fallacies
Testimonial – famous people endorse
a product, even though they aren’t
experts.
Either-Or Fallacy – there are only two
sides to an issue
Glittering Generalizations –
unprovable praises
Learning definitions not necessary;
just recognize these techniques are
not valid arguments
Literary Terms
On handout
You will most likely not be asked the
definition of a term, but a question
may make reference to a term
concerning a reading passage.
For example:
The setting of the passage is ______
The mood at the end of the selection is
_________
GOOD LUCK!!!