Vocabulary Building

• Flamboyant: Confident and attention-grabbing.
• Pivotal: Critically important.
• Charred: Burned.
• Insinuate: To suggest something negative.
• Myriad: A large number.
• Epiphany: A moment of sudden realization.
• Liable: Responsible for something.
• Brusque: Abrupt in manner or speech.
• Meagre: A small amount.
• Acquiesce: To reluctantly agree.
• Pandemonium: A state of chaos.
• Destitute: Extremely poor.
• Stoic: Showing no emotion.
• Abrasive: Rough or unpleasant.
• Bamboozle: To trick.
• Compel: To attract.
• Demeanor: Behavior.
• Exonerated: Proven innocent.
• Formidable: Powerful and challenging.
• Infuriate: To anger.
• Ludicrous: Ridiculous.
• Obnoxious: Rude and offensive.
• Talisman: An object believed to bring luck.
• Derogatory: Mean and negative.
• Liaison: A person who arranges meetings.
• Substantial: A large amount.
• Oppression: Cruel and unfair treatment by a government.
• Fluctuate: To change irregularly.
• Eligible: Qualified for something.
• Yearn: To desire strongly.
• Abdicate: To give up a throne.
• Belligerent: Eager to fight.
• Connotation: An implied meaning of a word.
• Acclaim: To praise.
• Barbaric: Savage and cruel.
• Charismatic: Charming.
• Eloquence: Fluent and persuasive speaking.
• Faux: Fake.
• Galvanize: To inspire action.
• Hierarchy: A ranking system.
• Impede: To hinder.
• Labyrinth: A maze.
• Piercing: A sharp, loud noise.
• Elicit: To draw out.
• Illuminated: Lit up.
• Rapport: A friendly relationship.
• Pergola: A garden structure.
• Ember: A glowing piece of burning wood.
• Nuisance: Annoyance.
• Realm: A kingdom.
• Suffrage: The right to vote.
• Turquoise: A greenish-blue color.

Finding the Main Idea

• Topic: The general subject.
• Main Idea: The specific focus within the general topic.
• Supporting Details: Evidence that supports the main idea.
• Example:
  • Topic: Cookies
  • Main Idea: Keys to making perfect cookies
  • Supporting Details: Precise measurements, chilling dough, checking for doneness early

Propaganda Techniques

• Bandwagon: Encouraging people to join a popular group.
• Glittering Generalities: Using vague, positive words without substance.
• Name Calling: Attacking an opponent.
• Testimonial: Using endorsements from famous people.
• Transfer: Associating positive feelings with something.
• Plain Folks: Presenting someone as an "average" person.
• Card Stacking: Presenting only one side of an issue.
• Stereotyping: Using stereotypes to promote or discourage ideas.

Subjective vs. Objective

• Subjective:
  • Based on personal opinions.
  • Varies from person to person.
  • Presents multiple perspectives.
  • Focuses on adjectives.
  • Example: "I love eating chocolate."
• Objective:
  • Based on proven facts.
  • Consistent across individuals.
  • Neutral.
  • Example: "I am eating chocolate."

Denotation vs. Connotation

• Denotation: The literal, dictionary definition of a word.
  • Example: "Dog" - a four-legged animal.
• Connotation: The feelings or ideas associated with a word.
  • Example: "Dog" - happiness or fun.

Verbs

• Action Verbs: Show physical or mental actions.
  • Examples: run, eat, think
• Helping Verbs: Support the main verb.
  • Examples: can, will, must, should
• Linking Verbs: Connect the subject to a description or state of being.
  • Be verbs: am, are, is, was, were
  • Sense verbs: feel, smell
• Infinitives: "To" + base verb.
  • Examples: to eat, to sleep, to laugh

Order of Adjectives (DOSASCOMP)

• Determiner, Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Colour, Origin, Material, Purpose
• Example: A beautiful, big, old, rectangular, red, American, metal car for driving.

Adverbs - Six Types

• Manner: Describes how an action is performed.
  • Examples: quickly, slowly, carefully
• Time: Indicates when an action occurs.
  • Examples: soon, yet, already
• Place: Indicates where an action occurs.
  • Examples: here, there, in, away
• Degree: Indicates the intensity of an action.
  • Examples: very, quite, almost
• Frequency: Indicates how often an action occurs.
  • Examples: never, often, sometimes
• Affirmation: Expresses certainty or agreement.
  • Examples: surely, certainly, absolutely

Organization of a Paragraph

• Statement of the main idea
• Body
• Conclusion

Topic Sentence

• States the main idea of the paragraph.

Supporting Details

• Major: Primary points that support the topic sentence.
• Minor: Expands on and supports the major details.

PEEL Method

• Point: State your claim.
• Evidence: Provide examples or evidence (statistical, factual, testimonial).
• Explain: Explain how the evidence supports your point.
• Link: Summarize and conclude your statement.