ESOL Vocabulary Guide | Guia de Vocabulario ESOL

Grade 8 ELA Vocabulary Vocabulario de Lectura de 8vo Grado

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.

Theme & Complex Texts

Tema y Textos Complejos

theme / tema

English Definition:

The central message or insight about life that the author conveys through the text.

Definicion en Espanol:

El mensaje central o vision sobre la vida que el autor transmite a traves del texto.

Example / Ejemplo:

The theme of the novel is that true courage means standing up for what is right, even when it's difficult.

universal theme / tema universal

English Definition:

A theme that applies to people across different cultures, time periods, and places.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un tema que se aplica a personas de diferentes culturas, epocas y lugares.

Example / Ejemplo:

Love, loss, and the search for identity are universal themes found in literature worldwide.

implied theme / tema implicito

English Definition:

A theme that is suggested through characters, plot, and details rather than directly stated.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un tema que se sugiere a traves de personajes, trama y detalles en lugar de declararse directamente.

Example / Ejemplo:

The author never states "honesty matters," but shows it through the character's struggles with lying.

thematic statement / declaracion tematica

English Definition:

A complete sentence that expresses what the text says about a particular topic or theme.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una oracion completa que expresa lo que el texto dice sobre un tema particular.

Example / Ejemplo:

"Greed can destroy relationships" is a thematic statement, not just the word "greed."

Character Motivation & Development

Motivacion y Desarrollo del Personaje

character motivation / motivacion del personaje

English Definition:

The reasons behind a character's actions, words, and decisions.

Definicion en Espanol:

Las razones detras de las acciones, palabras y decisiones de un personaje.

Example / Ejemplo:

The character's motivation for working so hard was to provide a better life for her family.

character development / desarrollo del personaje

English Definition:

How a character changes throughout a story as a result of events and experiences.

Definicion en Espanol:

Como un personaje cambia a lo largo de una historia como resultado de eventos y experiencias.

Example / Ejemplo:

Through character development, the selfish protagonist becomes caring and generous by the end.

dynamic character / personaje dinamico

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:

Ebenezer Scrooge is a dynamic character who transforms from greedy to generous.

static character / personaje estatico

English Definition:

A character who remains essentially the same throughout the story.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un personaje que permanece esencialmente igual a lo largo de la historia.

Example / Ejemplo:

The villain remained a static character, evil from beginning to end.

complex character / personaje complejo

English Definition:

A character with multiple personality traits, including contradictions, making them realistic.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un personaje con multiples rasgos de personalidad, incluyendo contradicciones, haciendolo realista.

Example / Ejemplo:

The complex character was both brave and fearful, kind yet sometimes cruel.

foil character / personaje contrastante

English Definition:

A character whose traits contrast with another character to highlight differences.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un personaje cuyos rasgos contrastan con otro personaje para resaltar las diferencias.

Example / Ejemplo:

The cautious friend serves as a foil to the reckless protagonist.

Point of View & Unreliable Narrator

Punto de Vista y Narrador No Confiable

point of view / punto de vista

English Definition:

The perspective from which a story is told, determining what the reader knows.

Definicion en Espanol:

La perspectiva desde la cual se cuenta una historia, determinando lo que el lector sabe.

Example / Ejemplo:

The first-person point of view uses "I" and limits us to one character's thoughts.

unreliable narrator / narrador no confiable

English Definition:

A narrator whose account of events cannot be fully trusted due to bias, limited knowledge, or deception.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un narrador cuyo relato de los eventos no puede ser completamente confiable debido a prejuicio, conocimiento limitado o engano.

Example / Ejemplo:

The young child narrator is unreliable because she doesn't understand what the adults are really doing.

third-person limited / tercera persona limitada

English Definition:

A perspective that follows one character closely, showing only their thoughts and observations.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una perspectiva que sigue de cerca a un personaje, mostrando solo sus pensamientos y observaciones.

Example / Ejemplo:

"She felt nervous as she walked into the room, wondering what they thought of her."

third-person omniscient / tercera persona omnisciente

English Definition:

An all-knowing narrator who can reveal the thoughts and feelings of all characters.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un narrador que todo lo sabe y puede revelar los pensamientos y sentimientos de todos los personajes.

Example / Ejemplo:

"While Maria thought she was alone, across town, Juan was already planning to find her."

bias / sesgo / prejuicio

English Definition:

A personal opinion or perspective that influences how someone presents information.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una opinion o perspectiva personal que influye en como alguien presenta la informacion.

Example / Ejemplo:

The narrator's bias against the city is clear when she only describes negative aspects.

Text Structure in Complex Texts

Estructura del Texto en Textos Complejos

text structure / estructura del texto

English Definition:

The way an author organizes information and ideas in a text.

Definicion en Espanol:

La forma en que un autor organiza la informacion e ideas en un texto.

Example / Ejemplo:

Common text structures include cause/effect, compare/contrast, and chronological order.

parallel structure / estructura paralela

English Definition:

Using the same grammatical pattern to create rhythm and emphasize related ideas.

Definicion en Espanol:

Usar el mismo patron gramatical para crear ritmo y enfatizar ideas relacionadas.

Example / Ejemplo:

"I came, I saw, I conquered" uses parallel structure with three short clauses.

flashback / flashback / escena retrospectiva

English Definition:

A scene that interrupts the present action to show events that happened earlier.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una escena que interrumpe la accion presente para mostrar eventos que sucedieron antes.

Example / Ejemplo:

The story uses a flashback to reveal the character's difficult childhood.

foreshadowing / presagio / prefiguracion

English Definition:

Hints or clues about events that will happen later in the story.

Definicion en Espanol:

Pistas o indicios sobre eventos que ocurriran mas adelante en la historia.

Example / Ejemplo:

The dark clouds at the beginning foreshadow the tragedy to come.

pacing / ritmo narrativo

English Definition:

The speed at which a story unfolds, controlled by sentence length, details, and dialogue.

Definicion en Espanol:

La velocidad a la que se desarrolla una historia, controlada por la longitud de oraciones, detalles y dialogo.

Example / Ejemplo:

Short sentences and quick dialogue speed up the pacing during the chase scene.

Evaluating Arguments & Evidence

Evaluando Argumentos y Evidencia

argument / argumento

English Definition:

A claim or position supported by reasons and evidence to convince the reader.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una afirmacion o posicion apoyada por razones y evidencia para convencer al lector.

Example / Ejemplo:

The author's argument is that schools should start later, supported by sleep research.

claim / afirmacion

English Definition:

A statement that asserts something to be true and can be supported or challenged.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una declaracion que afirma que algo es verdadero y puede ser apoyada o desafiada.

Example / Ejemplo:

The author's claim is that renewable energy is the solution to climate change.

counterclaim / contraargumento

English Definition:

An opposing argument that challenges the main claim.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un argumento opuesto que desafia la afirmacion principal.

Example / Ejemplo:

The counterclaim argues that renewable energy is too expensive to implement quickly.

relevant evidence / evidencia relevante

English Definition:

Information that directly supports and connects to the claim being made.

Definicion en Espanol:

Informacion que apoya directamente y se conecta con la afirmacion que se hace.

Example / Ejemplo:

Statistics about teen sleep patterns are relevant evidence for the argument about school start times.

sufficient evidence / evidencia suficiente

English Definition:

Enough evidence to adequately support a claim and convince the reader.

Definicion en Espanol:

Suficiente evidencia para apoyar adecuadamente una afirmacion y convencer al lector.

Example / Ejemplo:

One example is not sufficient evidence; the argument needs multiple sources.

credible source / fuente credible

English Definition:

A trustworthy and reliable source of information, such as experts or research studies.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una fuente de informacion confiable, como expertos o estudios de investigacion.

Example / Ejemplo:

Scientific journals and government agencies are credible sources.

Rhetoric & Persuasion Techniques

Retorica y Tecnicas de Persuasion

rhetoric / retorica

English Definition:

The art of using language effectively to persuade or influence an audience.

Definicion en Espanol:

El arte de usar el lenguaje efectivamente para persuadir o influir en una audiencia.

Example / Ejemplo:

Martin Luther King Jr. used powerful rhetoric in his "I Have a Dream" speech.

ethos / ethos (credibilidad)

English Definition:

A persuasive appeal based on the speaker's credibility, character, or expertise.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un recurso persuasivo basado en la credibilidad, caracter o experiencia del orador.

Example / Ejemplo:

"As a doctor with 20 years of experience..." establishes ethos.

pathos / pathos (emocion)

English Definition:

A persuasive appeal to the audience's emotions.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un recurso persuasivo que apela a las emociones de la audiencia.

Example / Ejemplo:

The commercial showing hungry children appeals to pathos to encourage donations.

logos / logos (logica)

English Definition:

A persuasive appeal based on logic, facts, statistics, and reasoning.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un recurso persuasivo basado en logica, hechos, estadisticas y razonamiento.

Example / Ejemplo:

"Studies show that 90% of doctors recommend..." is an appeal to logos.

rhetorical question / pregunta retorica

English Definition:

A question asked for effect, not expecting an answer, to make the reader think.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una pregunta hecha para crear efecto, sin esperar respuesta, para hacer pensar al lector.

Example / Ejemplo:

"Don't we all want a better future for our children?" is a rhetorical question.

logical fallacy / falacia logica

English Definition:

An error in reasoning that weakens an argument.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un error en el razonamiento que debilita un argumento.

Example / Ejemplo:

"Everyone is doing it, so it must be right" is a bandwagon fallacy.

Analogies & Allusions

Analogias y Alusiones

analogy / analogia

English Definition:

A comparison between two things to explain or clarify an idea.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una comparacion entre dos cosas para explicar o aclarar una idea.

Example / Ejemplo:

"Life is like a box of chocolates" is an analogy comparing life to an unpredictable selection.

allusion / alusion

English Definition:

A brief reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work of literature.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una referencia breve a una persona, lugar, evento u obra literaria bien conocida.

Example / Ejemplo:

"He was a real Romeo with the ladies" is an allusion to Shakespeare's character.

biblical allusion / alusion biblica

English Definition:

A reference to a story, character, or event from the Bible.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una referencia a una historia, personaje o evento de la Biblia.

Example / Ejemplo:

"He had the patience of Job" alludes to the biblical figure known for patience.

mythological allusion / alusion mitologica

English Definition:

A reference to Greek, Roman, or other mythology.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una referencia a la mitologia griega, romana u otra.

Example / Ejemplo:

"Her Achilles' heel was her pride" alludes to the Greek hero's weakness.

Word Nuance & Connotation

Matiz de Palabras y Connotacion

connotation / connotacion

English Definition:

The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its dictionary meaning.

Definicion en Espanol:

Las asociaciones emocionales o culturales que una palabra lleva mas alla de su significado de diccionario.

Example / Ejemplo:

"Home" has warm connotations of comfort; "house" is more neutral.

denotation / denotacion

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; its connotation might suggest danger.

nuance / matiz

English Definition:

A subtle difference in meaning, tone, or expression.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una diferencia sutil en significado, tono o expresion.

Example / Ejemplo:

There's a nuance between "cheap" (negative) and "affordable" (positive).

tone / tono

English Definition:

The author's attitude toward the subject or audience, revealed through word choice.

Definicion en Espanol:

La actitud del autor hacia el tema o audiencia, revelada a traves de la eleccion de palabras.

Example / Ejemplo:

The sarcastic tone is clear when the author calls the plan "brilliant" after listing its failures.

mood / ambiente / atmosfera

English Definition:

The emotional atmosphere of a text that affects how readers feel.

Definicion en Espanol:

La atmosfera emocional de un texto que afecta como se sienten los lectores.

Example / Ejemplo:

The dark descriptions and creepy sounds create a mood of suspense and fear.

Comparing Texts Across Genres

Comparando Textos de Diferentes Generos

genre / genero

English Definition:

A category of literature based on style, form, or content.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una categoria de literatura basada en estilo, forma o contenido.

Example / Ejemplo:

Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama are different genres of literature.

adaptation / adaptacion

English Definition:

A work that has been changed from one form to another, like a book to a film.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una obra que ha sido cambiada de una forma a otra, como un libro a una pelicula.

Example / Ejemplo:

The movie is an adaptation of the popular novel, with some changes to the plot.

medium / medio

English Definition:

The form or channel through which a story is told (print, film, audio, etc.).

Definicion en Espanol:

La forma o canal a traves del cual se cuenta una historia (impreso, pelicula, audio, etc.).

Example / Ejemplo:

The same story can be told through different media: book, film, podcast, or graphic novel.

primary source / fuente primaria

English Definition:

An original document or firsthand account created during the time being studied.

Definicion en Espanol:

Un documento original o relato de primera mano creado durante el tiempo que se estudia.

Example / Ejemplo:

A soldier's diary from World War II is a primary source.

secondary source / fuente secundaria

English Definition:

A source that analyzes or interprets primary sources or events after the fact.

Definicion en Espanol:

Una fuente que analiza o interpreta fuentes primarias o eventos despues del hecho.

Example / Ejemplo:

A history textbook about World War II is a secondary source.

Synthesizing Multiple Sources

Sintetizando Multiples Fuentes

synthesize / sintetizar

English Definition:

To combine information from multiple sources to create a new understanding.

Definicion en Espanol:

Combinar informacion de multiples fuentes para crear una nueva comprension.

Example / Ejemplo:

I synthesized information from three articles to form my own conclusion about the topic.

integrate / integrar

English Definition:

To bring together different pieces of information into a unified whole.

Definicion en Espanol:

Reunir diferentes piezas de informacion en un todo unificado.

Example / Ejemplo:

The essay integrates quotes from the text with the student's own analysis.

corroborate / corroborar

English Definition:

To confirm or support information by comparing it with other sources.

Definicion en Espanol:

Confirmar o apoyar informacion al compararla con otras fuentes.

Example / Ejemplo:

The second article corroborates the claim made in the first one.

conflicting information / informacion contradictoria

English Definition:

When different sources provide contradictory or opposing information.

Definicion en Espanol:

Cuando diferentes fuentes proporcionan informacion contradictoria u opuesta.

Example / Ejemplo:

One source says the event happened in 1965, another says 1967 - this is conflicting information.

Quick Reference / Referencia Rapida

themetema
character motivationmotivacion del personaje
point of viewpunto de vista
unreliable narratornarrador no confiable
text structureestructura del texto
argumentargumento
claimafirmacion
counterclaimcontraargumento
evidenceevidencia
rhetoricretorica
ethoscredibilidad
pathosemocion
logoslogica
analogyanalogia
allusionalusion
connotationconnotacion
denotationdenotacion
tonetono
moodambiente
genregenero
synthesizesintetizar
primary sourcefuente primaria
secondary sourcefuente secundaria
biassesgo

Study Tip / Consejo de Estudio

Use Cognates! Many of these Grade 8 ELA terms are cognates - words that look and sound similar in English and Spanish. Words like "theme/tema," "rhetoric/retorica," "analogy/analogia," and "connotation/connotacion" 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 lectura de 8vo 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!