Glossary: Terms Starting with D

dangling modifier

EnglishFrom Grade 6

a modifier with nothing sensible to describe

Learn it in: Modifiers (Grade 6)

dash

EnglishFrom Grade 5

a long mark showing a break in thought

Learn it in: Punctuation and editing (Grade 5), Punctuation (Grade 6)

deadline

EnglishFrom Grade 6

the date by which work must be finished

Learn it in: Research planning (Grade 6)

debate

EnglishFrom Grade 6

a structured discussion in which two sides argue a motion

Learn it in: Introductory debates (Grade 6)

decodable

EnglishFrom Grade 1

able to be read by sounds

Learn it in: Decodable word reading (Grade 1)

decode

EnglishFrom Grade 1

read a word using letter sounds

Learn it in: Blending sounds into words (Grade 1), Decodable word reading (Grade 1), Decoding longer words (Grade 2)

definition

EnglishFrom Grade 2

what a word means

Learn it in: Context clues (Grade 2), Topic development (Grade 4), Technical vocabulary (Grade 5)

definition clue

EnglishFrom Grade 3

a clue that tells what the word means

Learn it in: Context clues (Grade 3), Contextual meaning (Grade 4), Contextual meaning (Grade 6)

degree

EnglishFrom Grade 4

how strong a word is

Learn it in: Word relationships (Grade 4)

delete

EnglishFrom Grade 1

take away

Learn it in: Adding and deleting sounds (Grade 1)

delivery

EnglishFrom Grade 6

how a speaker speaks and presents

Learn it in: Evaluating presentations (Grade 6)

demographic

EnglishFrom Grade 6

a group defined by age, gender, location or interest

Learn it in: Target audiences (Grade 6)

denotation

EnglishFrom Grade 6

the dictionary meaning of a word

Learn it in: Precise language (Grade 6)

dependent clause

EnglishFrom Grade 4

a clause that cannot stand alone

Learn it in: Subordinating conjunctions (Grade 4), Independent and dependent clauses (Grade 6)

derive

EnglishFrom Grade 4

to come from

Learn it in: Greek and Latin roots (Grade 4)

describe

EnglishFrom Grade 1

to tell what something is like

Learn it in: Describing familiar objects (Grade 1), Identifying characters (Grade 1), Writing about pictures (Grade 1)

describing word

EnglishFrom Grade 1

a word that tells about something

Full explanation with examples and practice →

Learn it in: Describing words (Grade 1)

description

EnglishFrom Grade 1

words that tell what something is like

Learn it in: Writing short descriptions (Grade 1), Text structures (Grade 4), Setting and atmosphere (Grade 6)

detail

EnglishFrom Grade 1

a small fact or piece of information

Learn it in: Identifying important details (Grade 1), Describing words (Grade 1), Writing complete sentences (Grade 1)

develop

EnglishFrom Grade 4

to explain a topic fully

Learn it in: Topic development (Grade 4)

development

EnglishFrom Grade 6

how an idea grows through a text

Learn it in: Theme analysis (Grade 6)

diagram

EnglishFrom Grade 5

a labelled drawing that explains something

Learn it in: Technical vocabulary (Grade 5)

dialogue

EnglishFrom Grade 2

the words characters say

Learn it in: Reading with expression (Grade 2), Dialogue in stories (Grade 2), Dialogue (Grade 3)

diction

EnglishFrom Grade 6

the writer’s choice of words

Learn it in: Tone and mood (Grade 6)

dictionary

EnglishFrom Grade 2

a book that lists words and their meanings

Learn it in: Dictionary introduction (Grade 2), Reading unfamiliar words (Grade 3), Reference materials (Grade 3)

difference

EnglishFrom Grade 3

a way things are not alike

Learn it in: Comparing characters (Grade 3)

different

EnglishFrom Grade 1

not the same

Learn it in: Listening to words and sentences (Grade 1)

digital footprint

EnglishFrom Grade 6

the trail of information you leave online

Learn it in: Responsible digital communication (Grade 6)

digraph

EnglishFrom Grade 1

two letters that make one sound

Learn it in: Consonant digraphs (Grade 1), Consonant blends (Grade 1), Reviewing consonant digraphs (Grade 2)

diphthong

EnglishFrom Grade 2

a vowel sound that glides from one sound to another

Learn it in: Common diphthongs (Grade 2), Advanced phonics review (Grade 3)

direct characterisation

EnglishFrom Grade 6

telling readers the trait

Learn it in: Characterisation (Grade 6)

direct speech

EnglishFrom Grade 4

the exact words someone says

Learn it in: Direct speech (Grade 4)

direction

EnglishFrom Grade 3

the way something moves

Learn it in: Prepositions (Grade 3)

dis-

EnglishFrom Grade 3

not or the opposite of

Learn it in: Prefixes (Grade 3)

disagree

EnglishFrom Grade 3

to have a different opinion

Learn it in: Participating in discussions (Grade 3)

discussion

EnglishFrom Grade 2

a talk where people share ideas

Learn it in: Participating in discussions (Grade 2), Participating in discussions (Grade 3), Structured discussions (Grade 4)

disguised opinion

EnglishFrom Grade 6

an opinion written as if it were a fact

Learn it in: Facts and opinions (Grade 6)

disinformation

EnglishFrom Grade 6

false information spread on purpose to mislead

Learn it in: Misleading information (Grade 6)

divide

EnglishFrom Grade 2

split into parts

Learn it in: Syllable division (Grade 2)

domain

EnglishFrom Grade 6

the main part of a web address

Learn it in: Evaluating online information (Grade 6)

domain-specific

EnglishFrom Grade 6

belonging to a particular subject area

Learn it in: Technical vocabulary (Grade 6)

double

EnglishFrom Grade 2

write the letter twice

Learn it in: Spelling patterns (Grade 2)

double the consonant

EnglishFrom Grade 4

write the last consonant twice before a suffix

Learn it in: Spelling and morphology (Grade 4)

draft

EnglishFrom Grade 2

a first version of writing

Learn it in: Revising writing (Grade 2), Creative-writing projects (Grade 2), Revising narratives (Grade 3)

drama

EnglishFrom Grade 3

a story acted out on a stage

Learn it in: Introductory drama (Grade 3)

drop the e

EnglishFrom Grade 4

remove a silent e before a vowel suffix

Learn it in: Spelling and morphology (Grade 4)