Bilingual vocabulary guide with English and Spanish definitions and example sentences for Spanish-speaking students.
Guia bilingue de vocabulario con definiciones en ingles y espanol y oraciones de ejemplo.
Tema e Idea Central
English Definition:
The underlying message or life lesson that the author wants readers to understand. Often a universal truth about life.
Definicion en Espanol:
El mensaje subyacente o leccion de vida que el autor quiere que los lectores entiendan. A menudo una verdad universal sobre la vida.
Example / Ejemplo:
The theme of the novel is that true friendship requires sacrifice and loyalty.
English Definition:
The main point or most important idea that the author wants to communicate in a text, especially in informational writing.
Definicion en Espanol:
El punto principal o la idea mas importante que el autor quiere comunicar en un texto, especialmente en escritura informativa.
Example / Ejemplo:
The central idea of the article is that climate change affects wildlife migration patterns.
English Definition:
A theme that is suggested or hinted at but not directly stated. Readers must infer it from the text.
Definicion en Espanol:
Un tema que se sugiere o insinua pero no se declara directamente. Los lectores deben inferirlo del texto.
Example / Ejemplo:
The implicit theme about perseverance is shown through the character's repeated attempts despite failure.
English Definition:
Facts, examples, descriptions, or reasons that help explain and develop the central idea or theme.
Definicion en Espanol:
Hechos, ejemplos, descripciones o razones que ayudan a explicar y desarrollar la idea central o el tema.
Example / Ejemplo:
The author uses statistics and expert quotes as supporting details for the central idea.
Desarrollo de Personajes
English Definition:
How a character changes, grows, or evolves throughout a story based on events and experiences.
Definicion en Espanol:
Como un personaje cambia, crece o evoluciona a lo largo de una historia basado en eventos y experiencias.
Example / Ejemplo:
The character development shows how Maya transformed from shy and fearful to confident and brave.
English Definition:
The reason why a character acts, thinks, or feels a certain way. What drives their decisions and actions.
Definicion en Espanol:
La razon por la cual un personaje actua, piensa o siente de cierta manera. Lo que impulsa sus decisiones y acciones.
Example / Ejemplo:
The hero's motivation for the journey was to save his family from danger.
English Definition:
Qualities or characteristics that describe a character's personality, such as brave, kind, selfish, or determined.
Definicion en Espanol:
Cualidades o caracteristicas que describen la personalidad de un personaje, como valiente, amable, egoista o determinado.
Example / Ejemplo:
Her character traits of honesty and compassion made her a beloved leader.
English Definition:
The main character in a story who faces the central conflict and often changes by the end.
Definicion en Espanol:
El personaje principal en una historia que enfrenta el conflicto central y a menudo cambia al final.
Example / Ejemplo:
The protagonist must overcome many obstacles to achieve her goal.
English Definition:
A character or force that opposes the protagonist and creates conflict in the story.
Definicion en Espanol:
Un personaje o fuerza que se opone al protagonista y crea conflicto en la historia.
Example / Ejemplo:
The antagonist's cruel actions forced the hero to take a stand.
English Definition:
A character who undergoes significant internal change during the story.
Definicion en Espanol:
Un personaje que experimenta un cambio interno significativo durante la historia.
Example / Ejemplo:
Scrooge is a dynamic character who changes from greedy to generous.
Punto de Vista
English Definition:
The perspective from which a story is told. Determines what information readers receive and how.
Definicion en Espanol:
La perspectiva desde la cual se cuenta una historia. Determina que informacion reciben los lectores y como.
Example / Ejemplo:
The author's choice of point of view affects how we understand the characters' feelings.
English Definition:
When the narrator is a character in the story, using "I," "me," "my," and "we."
Definicion en Espanol:
Cuando el narrador es un personaje en la historia, usando "yo," "me," "mi," y "nosotros."
Example / Ejemplo:
"I couldn't believe what I was seeing" is first person narration.
English Definition:
When the narrator tells the story from outside but only knows one character's thoughts and feelings.
Definicion en Espanol:
Cuando el narrador cuenta la historia desde afuera pero solo conoce los pensamientos y sentimientos de un personaje.
Example / Ejemplo:
"She wondered if anyone noticed her nervousness" - we only know her thoughts.
English Definition:
When the narrator knows everything about all characters, including their thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Definicion en Espanol:
Cuando el narrador sabe todo sobre todos los personajes, incluyendo sus pensamientos, sentimientos y acciones.
Example / Ejemplo:
The narrator tells us what both the hero and the villain are secretly planning.
English Definition:
A character's or author's particular attitude, viewpoint, or way of looking at something based on their experiences.
Definicion en Espanol:
La actitud particular de un personaje o autor, punto de vista o forma de ver algo basada en sus experiencias.
Example / Ejemplo:
From the immigrant's perspective, the new country was both exciting and frightening.
English Definition:
The voice or person telling the story. May be a character or an outside observer.
Definicion en Espanol:
La voz o persona que cuenta la historia. Puede ser un personaje o un observador externo.
Example / Ejemplo:
The narrator describes events that happened many years ago.
Proposito del Autor y Argumento
English Definition:
The reason why an author writes: to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain.
Definicion en Espanol:
La razon por la que un autor escribe: para informar, persuadir, entretener o explicar.
Example / Ejemplo:
The author's purpose is to persuade readers to support environmental protection.
English Definition:
A series of reasons and evidence used to support a claim or position on an issue.
Definicion en Espanol:
Una serie de razones y evidencia usadas para apoyar una afirmacion o posicion sobre un tema.
Example / Ejemplo:
The author builds a strong argument for why schools should start later.
English Definition:
To convince someone to believe, think, or do something through reasoning or emotional appeal.
Definicion en Espanol:
Convencer a alguien de creer, pensar o hacer algo a traves de razonamiento o apelacion emocional.
Example / Ejemplo:
The advertisement tries to persuade consumers to buy the new product.
English Definition:
To give facts and information about a topic without trying to change the reader's opinion.
Definicion en Espanol:
Dar hechos e informacion sobre un tema sin tratar de cambiar la opinion del lector.
Example / Ejemplo:
The textbook chapter aims to inform students about the solar system.
Estructura del Texto
English Definition:
The way an author organizes information in a text to help readers understand the content.
Definicion en Espanol:
La manera en que un autor organiza la informacion en un texto para ayudar a los lectores a entender el contenido.
Example / Ejemplo:
The author uses a problem-solution text structure to organize the article.
English Definition:
Organizing events in the order they happened, from first to last.
Definicion en Espanol:
Organizar eventos en el orden en que ocurrieron, del primero al ultimo.
Example / Ejemplo:
The biography presents the inventor's life in chronological order from birth to death.
English Definition:
Text structure showing why something happened (cause) and what happened as a result (effect).
Definicion en Espanol:
Estructura de texto que muestra por que algo sucedio (causa) y que sucedio como resultado (efecto).
Example / Ejemplo:
Because of the drought (cause), crops failed and food prices rose (effects).
English Definition:
Text structure that shows similarities (compare) and differences (contrast) between two or more things.
Definicion en Espanol:
Estructura de texto que muestra similitudes (comparar) y diferencias (contrastar) entre dos o mas cosas.
Example / Ejemplo:
The article compares and contrasts life in ancient Rome with life today.
English Definition:
Text structure that presents a problem and then explains one or more solutions.
Definicion en Espanol:
Estructura de texto que presenta un problema y luego explica una o mas soluciones.
Example / Ejemplo:
The problem is water pollution, and the solution is better waste treatment.
English Definition:
Text structure that describes a topic using characteristics, features, and examples.
Definicion en Espanol:
Estructura de texto que describe un tema usando caracteristicas, rasgos y ejemplos.
Example / Ejemplo:
The description of the rainforest includes its climate, plants, and animals.
Afirmaciones y Evidencia
English Definition:
A statement that expresses an opinion or position that can be supported with evidence.
Definicion en Espanol:
Una declaracion que expresa una opinion o posicion que se puede apoyar con evidencia.
Example / Ejemplo:
The author's claim is that homework improves student learning.
English Definition:
Facts, statistics, examples, or quotations used to prove or support a claim.
Definicion en Espanol:
Hechos, estadisticas, ejemplos o citas usados para probar o apoyar una afirmacion.
Example / Ejemplo:
The evidence from the study shows that exercise improves memory.
English Definition:
The logical connection explaining how evidence supports a claim.
Definicion en Espanol:
La conexion logica que explica como la evidencia apoya una afirmacion.
Example / Ejemplo:
The reasoning connects the data to the claim that recycling reduces waste.
English Definition:
An opposing argument or different point of view from the author's claim.
Definicion en Espanol:
Un argumento opuesto o punto de vista diferente de la afirmacion del autor.
Example / Ejemplo:
A counterclaim argues that homework creates stress instead of helping students.
English Definition:
A trustworthy and reliable source of information, such as experts or research studies.
Definicion en Espanol:
Una fuente de informacion confiable y fiable, como expertos o estudios de investigacion.
Example / Ejemplo:
The author cites a credible source - a study from a major university.
English Definition:
Evidence that directly connects to and supports the specific claim being made.
Definicion en Espanol:
Evidencia que se conecta directamente y apoya la afirmacion especifica que se hace.
Example / Ejemplo:
The statistic about teen sleep needs is relevant evidence for the claim about school start times.
Lenguaje Figurado
English Definition:
Words or phrases that mean something different from their literal meaning to create imagery or effect.
Definicion en Espanol:
Palabras o frases que significan algo diferente de su significado literal para crear imagenes o efecto.
Example / Ejemplo:
"Time flies" is figurative - time doesn't actually have wings!
English Definition:
A comparison using "like" or "as" to show how two different things are alike.
Definicion en Espanol:
Una comparacion usando "como" para mostrar como dos cosas diferentes se parecen.
Example / Ejemplo:
"Her eyes sparkled like diamonds" compares eyes to diamonds.
English Definition:
A comparison that says one thing IS another thing, without using "like" or "as."
Definicion en Espanol:
Una comparacion que dice que una cosa ES otra cosa, sin usar "como."
Example / Ejemplo:
"Life is a roller coaster" means life has ups and downs like a ride.
English Definition:
Giving human qualities, actions, or emotions to animals, objects, or ideas.
Definicion en Espanol:
Dar cualidades, acciones o emociones humanas a animales, objetos o ideas.
Example / Ejemplo:
"The sun smiled down on the garden" gives the sun a human action.
English Definition:
An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally.
Definicion en Espanol:
Una exageracion extrema usada para enfasis o efecto, que no debe tomarse literalmente.
Example / Ejemplo:
"I've told you a million times" is hyperbole - not literally a million!
English Definition:
A common expression that means something different from the literal meaning of its words.
Definicion en Espanol:
Una expresion comun que significa algo diferente del significado literal de sus palabras.
Example / Ejemplo:
"Break a leg" means "good luck" - not actually breaking a leg!
English Definition:
Descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).
Definicion en Espanol:
Lenguaje descriptivo que apela a los sentidos (vista, sonido, olfato, gusto, tacto).
Example / Ejemplo:
"The crisp autumn leaves crunched beneath her feet" creates imagery.
English Definition:
Using an object, person, or event to represent a larger idea or concept.
Definicion en Espanol:
Usar un objeto, persona o evento para representar una idea o concepto mas grande.
Example / Ejemplo:
A dove is often used as a symbol of peace.
Significados de Palabras y Connotacion
English Definition:
The feeling or emotion associated with a word beyond its dictionary definition.
Definicion en Espanol:
El sentimiento o emocion asociada con una palabra mas alla de su definicion de diccionario.
Example / Ejemplo:
"Home" has a warm connotation, while "house" is more neutral.
English Definition:
The literal, dictionary definition of a word.
Definicion en Espanol:
La definicion literal de diccionario de una palabra.
Example / Ejemplo:
The denotation of "snake" is a legless reptile.
English Definition:
Words, phrases, or sentences around an unfamiliar word that help determine its meaning.
Definicion en Espanol:
Palabras, frases u oraciones alrededor de una palabra desconocida que ayudan a determinar su significado.
Example / Ejemplo:
Context clues help me understand that "famished" means very hungry.
English Definition:
The author's attitude toward the subject or audience, shown through word choice.
Definicion en Espanol:
La actitud del autor hacia el tema o audiencia, mostrada a traves de la eleccion de palabras.
Example / Ejemplo:
The author's tone is sarcastic when describing the politician's promises.
English Definition:
The feeling or atmosphere that the text creates for the reader.
Definicion en Espanol:
El sentimiento o atmosfera que el texto crea para el lector.
Example / Ejemplo:
The dark setting and mysterious sounds create a suspenseful mood.
English Definition:
The specific words an author selects to create meaning, tone, and effect.
Definicion en Espanol:
Las palabras especificas que un autor selecciona para crear significado, tono y efecto.
Example / Ejemplo:
The author's word choice of "trudged" instead of "walked" shows exhaustion.
Comparar Textos
English Definition:
To examine two or more things to identify their similarities.
Definicion en Espanol:
Examinar dos o mas cosas para identificar sus similitudes.
Example / Ejemplo:
Both poems compare nature to human emotions.
English Definition:
To examine two or more things to identify their differences.
Definicion en Espanol:
Examinar dos o mas cosas para identificar sus diferencias.
Example / Ejemplo:
The two articles contrast in their views on technology in schools.
English Definition:
A category of literature based on form, style, or content (e.g., fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama).
Definicion en Espanol:
Una categoria de literatura basada en forma, estilo o contenido (ej. ficcion, no ficcion, poesia, drama).
Example / Ejemplo:
The genre of this book is historical fiction.
English Definition:
Using information from more than one text or resource to understand a topic.
Definicion en Espanol:
Usar informacion de mas de un texto o recurso para entender un tema.
Example / Ejemplo:
I used multiple sources to research my report on the American Revolution.
Resumir
English Definition:
A brief retelling of the main ideas and key details of a text in your own words.
Definicion en Espanol:
Una narracion breve de las ideas principales y detalles clave de un texto en tus propias palabras.
Example / Ejemplo:
My summary of the chapter includes the main events but not every detail.
English Definition:
To restate information from a text in your own words while keeping the original meaning.
Definicion en Espanol:
Reformular informacion de un texto en tus propias palabras manteniendo el significado original.
Example / Ejemplo:
I paraphrased the scientist's explanation to make it easier to understand.
English Definition:
A summary that presents the facts without including personal opinions or judgments.
Definicion en Espanol:
Un resumen que presenta los hechos sin incluir opiniones personales o juicios.
Example / Ejemplo:
An objective summary of the article reports facts without saying whether they're good or bad.
English Definition:
The most important pieces of information that support the main idea of a text.
Definicion en Espanol:
Las piezas de informacion mas importantes que apoyan la idea principal de un texto.
Example / Ejemplo:
The key details include when, where, and why the event happened.
Use Cognates! Many of these Grade 6 ELA terms are cognates - words that look and sound similar in English and Spanish. Words like "protagonist/protagonista," "metaphor/metafora," "connotation/connotacion," and "symbolism/simbolismo" share Latin roots. When you see a new English word, think about whether it sounds like a Spanish word you already know!
Usa los Cognados! Muchos de estos terminos de ELA de 6to grado son cognados - palabras que se ven y suenan similares en ingles y espanol. Cuando veas una palabra nueva en ingles, piensa si suena como una palabra en espanol que ya conoces!