How it works
This ELA word search hides 16 of 24 English language arts words, such as Infer, Revise and Fable, in a 15 by 15 grid. Nine lists cover reading skills, the writing process, genres, speaking and listening, and word study.
Read the full guide
A word search language arts teachers can match to the lesson
Start from a list has nine lists. Reading Skills holds 34 words, from Predict to Main idea, and The Writing Process 30, from Brainstorm to Publish. Two lists split the genres: Stories, Poems and Plays, and Nonfiction and Kinds of Writing. Speaking and Listening adds 41, such as Debate and Eye contact. Book words, such as Chapter and Glossary, are on the library word search.
Turn the list into a vocabulary quiz
Tick Show clues, not words. Pupils read "Work out something the author does not say, using clues and what you know" and hunt for Infer. Compare and Contrast, Cause and Effect, and Fact and Opinion each get their own clue, so pupils must tell the pairs apart.
- For a word search reading groups can share, pick Reading Skills with 12 words. Each pupil uses one word about the group's book.
- Short ELA Words holds 31 words of 4 or 5 letters, such as Draft. Under More options, tick Large print.
- Long ELA Words has 41 words of 9 letters or more, such as Proofread. Use Hard; the grid grows when a word needs room.
Questions and answers
What does ELA stand for?
ELA stands for English language arts. The American Heritage Dictionary defines language arts as the subjects, including reading, spelling and composition, that build reading and writing skills. So an ELA word search and a language arts word search are the same sheet.
Where is the bookish word search with Author, Chapter and Glossary?
On the library word search. Its Parts of a Book list holds 28 words, from Cover to Glossary, and Finding a Book has Author and Sequel. For bookish words here, print Stories, Poems and Plays: Novel, Mystery, Fairy tale and 22 more.
Why are there no nouns, verbs or similes on this list?
They have pages of their own: parts of speech are on the grammar word search, and Simile, Metaphor and the other devices on the literary terms word search. This list shares 3 words with the first and 8 with the second.
Was every word checked in a dictionary?
Yes, in the American Heritage Dictionary in September 2026. Main idea is the one phrase it does not list whole; main and idea are separate entries.