Page 115 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10: English, 2007 (Revised)

THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 9 AND 10 | English
higher-order thinking. The process of mentally manipulating and transforming information and ideas in order to solve problems, acquire understanding, and dis- cover new meaning. Higher-order think- ing skills include: focusing, information gathering, combining facts and ideas, organizing, analysing, synthesizing, gen- eralizing, integrating, explaining, hypoth- esizing, interpreting, evaluating, drawing conclusions.
homonym. A word that has the same spelling as another word but a different meaning (e.g., ear, meaning the organ of hearing, and ear [of corn], meaning the seed-bearing head of a cereal plant).
homophone. A word that has the same sound as another word but a different meaning and spelling (e.g., seas/seize; pore/pour).
hyperbole. A literary device in which exaggeration is used deliberately for effect or emphasis (e.g., a flood of tears, piles of money).
hyperlink. In an electronic document, a cross-reference or link to a web page or another electronic document. A hyperlink is usually a particular word, button, or graphic. When the user clicks on it, the new web page or document is displayed.
idiom. A group of words that, through usage, has taken on a special meaning dif- ferent from the literal meaning (e.g., Keep your shirt on! or It’s raining cats and dogs.).
imagery. Descriptions and figures of speech (e.g., metaphors, similes) used by writers to create vivid mental pictures in
the mind of the reader. See also figurative language, literary device.
implicit meaning. Ideas and concepts that are present but stated indirectly. (Compare explicit information and ideas.)
inclusive language. Language that is equi- table in its reference to people, thereby avoiding stereotypes and discriminatory assumptions (e.g., police officer includes both males and females, whereas police- man refers only to males). See also non- discriminatory language.
inferring. Drawing meaning from or reaching a conclusion using reasoning and evidence from a text, based on what the author states and implies in the text and what the reader brings to the text from his or her prior knowledge and experience.
informational text. See forms of informa- tional texts.
irony. A meaning of words in context that differs from, and is often the opposite of, their literal meaning. See also dramatic irony.
jargon. Another term for specialized lan- guage, usually used pejoratively.
language pattern. A particular arrangement of words that helps the reader determine meaning by providing a certain level of predictability (e.g., inversion of subject and verb in interrogative sentences).
level of language. A style of language (e.g., formal, colloquial) appropriate to a specific purpose, audience, or situation. The style is determined by the degree of formality in a particular social situation, the relationship among the individuals involved in the communication, and the purpose of the interaction. Sometimes referred to as register.
listening and speaking skills. Skills that include: determining the purpose of lis- tening; paying attention to the speaker
or performer; following directions and instructions; recalling ideas accurately; responding appropriately to thoughts expressed; judging when it is appropriate to speak or ask questions; allowing others
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