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5852767143allusionA reference to an artistic work, person, place, event about which readers are assumed to already know0
5852767144analogyAn extended comparison. An analogy explains features of one things by reference to features shared with something more commonly known and understood1
5852767145argumentWriting the attempts to prove a point through reasoning. Argument presses it case by using logic and by supporting its logic with examples and evidence. Making a claim.2
5852767146audienceAs actors audiences who can see and hear them, writers have readers. Having a sense of audience is important in writing because we write differently depending on who we think will be reading our work. If our audience is specific we write in such a way that will appeal to a small group. If it is general we write in such a way that will appeal to as many people as possible.3
5852767147Cause and EffectAnalysis of events and situations in which reasons are sought and effects are considered. Writers tracing the chain of events leading to a present situation or arguing the consequences of a future decision are doing cause and effect.4
5852767148ClaimWhat an argument tries to prove. Often called a thesis. An unarguable statement.5
5852767149Classification and DivisionThe sorting out of elements into classes or groups, or the separation of something into its parts. Classifications and Division are used when a writer wants to break something down into it elements or groups.6
5852767150ClicheAn old tired expression that writers should avoid like the plague. "Like the plague" is an example of a cliche7
5852767151Comparison and ContrastExamination of similarities and differences. One usually but not always appears with the other.8
5852767152ConclusionThe ending of an essay, which should bring the writer's point home in a few sentences or even a paragraph or two. Good conclusions do more than repeat the thesis, and they can even sometimes point the way to extensions, but they should not introduce new thoughts.9
5852767153DefinitionExplanation of the nature of a word, thing, or idea. Essays that define may use many other kinds of writing, such as description, exposition, and narration.10
5852767154DescriptionDepiction through sensory evidence. Description is not just visual, It can use details of touch, smell, taste, and hearing. These concrete details can support a specific argument.11
5852767155DictionWord choice. Can be characterized in terms of level of formality, concreteness, and other choices that reflect a level appropriate to the writer's subject and audience.12
5852767156DraftAn unfinished essay. A draft may have a conclusion but it has not been completely revised, edited, and proofread.13
5852767157EssayA short nonfiction piece of writing. A writer should present on main idea in an essay.14
5852767158EvidenceThe facts that support an argument15
5852767159exemplificationProviding specific instances in support of general ideas.16
5852767160ExpositionWriting that explains. Rather than showing, as in narrative, exposition tells. A majority of essays contain some exposition because they need to convey information.17
5852767161FallacyA logical error. Fallacies weaken an argument.18
5852767162IntroductionThe beginning of an essay; it should generally state a writer's main point. Can include a thesis statement or development of a thesis.19
5852767163IronyVerbal irony is writing that say one thing while it means something else, often the opposite of what it says (sarcasm is one form of verbal irony).20
5852767164MetaphorMetaphor can be understood as a figure of speech (a non-literal use of language) that says on thing is another or, in the form of simile as a figure of speech that says one thing is like another.21
5852767165NarrationTelling a story, or giving an account of an event. Narration is a part of many different kinds of writing. Essays are mostly narration. Often tell an anecdote.22
5852767166RhetoricThe effective use of a language; also the study of effective language use. Term can be used negatively23
5852767167StoryA narrative. The term is used in a number of different senses-to indicate a narrative within a nonfiction pieces, to label a news article in a newspaper or magazine, or to name the genre of short fiction.24
5852767168StyleThe way a writer writes. Any of the choice writers make while writing-about diction, sentence length, structure, rhythm, and figures of speech- that make their work sound like them.25
5852767169SummaryA condensation, in one's own words, of a work. Summaries consist of the main points of the work; supporting points, examples, and other kinds of support that are left out.26
5852767170SynthesisThe use of outside sources to gather information and opinions, in order to develop ideas, amass evidence, and support evidence.27
5852767171ThesisThe main idea in the piece of writing, which the work is trying to argue or explore. Also sometime knows as the claim, a term which also has a more specific meaning related to augmentation.28
5852767172Thesis statementA sentence or group of sentences, usually appearing early in a piece of writing, that announce the thesis.29
5852767173ToneAttitude toward subject, readers and even the writer and work itself; also sometime mood of atmosphere more generally.30
5852767174Topic sentenceThe sentence in which the writer state's a paragraph's main idea. The topic sentence often appears at or near the beginning of the paragraph.31
5852767175TransitionThe connective tissue among sentences, ideas, and paragraphs. Transition help readers follow writers through their ideas and see the connections among parts of an argument or the relation between the scenes of a narrative.32
5852767176ExigenceAn issue, problem, or situation that cause or prompt someone writes or speak.33
5852767177WarrantThe claim's underlying, commonly held belief.34
5852767178LogosThe logic used to support a claim (induction and deduction) - can also be the facts and statistics used to help support the argument. Internal consistency of the message- the clarity of a claim.35
5852767179PathosThe emotional or motivational appeals-vivid language, emotional language, and numerous sensory details.36
5852767180EthosThe source's credibility and the speaker's/author's authority.37
5852767181ArrangementRefers to the structure of a text-the organization of thoughts-how the paragraphs "move".`38
5852767182FormBeginning, middle, end39
5852767183Functionhow one paragraph "moves" to the next paragraph to the next paragraph and so forth40
5852767184DiscourseThe use of spoken or written language in a social context41
5852767185Modes of DiscourseThe four traditional categories of written texts: narration, description, exposition, and argument. Also may include these ways of writing about a topic: definition, comparison, and/or contrast, division, and/or classification, cause and/or effect the steps in a process, exemplification (giving examples of something) and expert authority.42
5852767186ToneThe writer's attitude toward a subject, audience, and self. Tone is easier to determine in spoken language than in written language.43
5852767187Colloquial/ColloquialismThe use of slang or in formalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give a work a conversational, familiar tone.44
5852767188PedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is in scholarly, academic, or bookish (show offish language)45
5852767189SarcasticFrom the Greek meaning "to tear flesh" sarcasm involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something.46
5852767190Deductive ReasoningThe valid form of proof. It is in fact, the way in which geometric proofs are written. It is the process by which a person make conclusions based on previously know facts.47
5852767191Inductive ReasoningThis is the process of arriving at a conclusion based on a set of observations. In itself, it is not a valid method of proof.48
5852767192Selection of DetailThe authors choice of specific events and which the words and sensory images and incidents, which are used together to make and create a narrative, descriptive, argumentative, or expositive piece of writing.49
5852767193AestheticConcerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty50
5852767194AnecdoteA short story about an interesting or funny event or occurrence that supports the author's argument51
5852767195Rhetorical QuestionThe form of a question that is asked in order to make a point and without the expectation of a reply. Question for the sake of encouraging its listener or reader to consider a message or viewpoint52
5852767196Rhetorical FragmentAn incomplete sentence used to emphasize a particularly importantly idea that the author wants to get across to the audience by eliminating most words except the ones that carry the most essential meaning and to slow down the pace of writing by creating additional pausing with punctuation53
5852767197DictionThe choice and use of words in speech or writing54
5852767198ImageryThe vivid descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the senses.55
5852767199Figurative LanguageWriting that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid56
5852767200TropeThe use of a word, phrase, and image in a way not intended by its normal signification57
5852767201AnalogyA similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.58
5852767202MetaphorA trope in which a word and phrase is transferred from its literal meaning to stand for something else. not like simile like or is. it is something else.59
5852767203SimileA trope in which one states a comparison between two things that are not alike but have similarities.60
5852767204PersonificationA troupe in which human abilities hare assigned to abstractions or inanimate objects.61
5852767205ParadoxA troupe that makes a seemingly self-contradictory statement.62
5852767206PunA play on words in which a homophone is used for humor.63
5852767207OxymoronA troupe that connects two contradictory terms.64
5852767208HyperboleA troupe composed of exaggerated words or ideals used for emphasis and not to be taken literally.65
5852767209UnderstatementA troupe that presents something as less significant than it is66
5852767210LitotesA troupe that is a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite.67
5852767211AnatanaclasisA troupe that repeats a word of phrase whereby the meaning changes the second instance.68
5852767212AnthimeraA troupe in which substitution of one part of speech is made into another.69
5852767213PeriphrasisA troupe in which one substitutes a descriptive word or phrase for a proper noun70
5852767214MetonymyA troupe that substitute an associated word for one that is meant.71
5852767215SynecdocheA troupe in which a part of something stands for a whole.72
5852767216ZeugmaA troupe in which one verb governs several words, or clauses each in a different sense.73
5852767217SyntaxThe study of rules that govern the ways words combine to form phrases, clauses and sentences- the arrangement of words in a sentences74
5852767218AntecendentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.75
5852767219ClauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject or a verb.76
5852767220Subordinate ClauseLike all clauses, this word group contains both subject and a verb, but unlike the independent clause, the subordinate clause cannot stand alone, it doesn't express a complete thought.77
5852767221Loose Sentence or Cumulative SentenceA type of sentence in which the main idea come first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases or clauses.78
5852767222Periodic SentenceThe opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end.79
5852767223Simple SentenceExperienced writers use a variety of sentences to make their writing interested and lively.80
5852767224Compound SentenceA compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinator.81
5852767225Complex SentenceA complex sentence has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses.82
5852767226Compound-Complex SentencesA compound-complex sentence is made of a compound sentence and a complex sentence.83
5852767227ParallelismAlso referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure, this term comes from Greek roots meaning beside one another.84
5852767228RepetitionThe duplication, either exact, or approximate, of any element of language, such as sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.85
5852767229SchemeA way that something is arranged or organized--sometimes in an unusual way or order. Think about the way words are arranged in a sentence.86
5852767230AnaphoraA scheme in which the same word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses or sentences.87
5852767231EpanalepisA scheme that repeats the beginning word or phrase.88
5852767232EpistropheA scheme that repeats a word or phrase for emphasis, usually with no words in between.89
5852767233EpizeuxisA scheme that repeats a word or phrase for emphasis, usually with no words in between.90
5852767234PolyptotonA scheme that repeats words derived from the same root but with different endings.91
5852767235TricolonA scheme in which three parallel elements of the same length occur together in a series.92
5852767236ClimaxA scheme that arranges words, phrases, and clauses in increasing order of importance.93
5852767237AntithesisA scheme that makes use of contrasting words, phrases, sentences, or ideas for emphasis.94
5852767238AnadiplosisA scheme that repeats the last word or phrase from the previous line or sentence at the beginning of the next line or sentence.95
5852767239BrachylogiaA scheme that omits conjunctions between single words.96
5852767240AsyndetonA scheme that omits cconjunctions between phrases or clauses.97
5852767241PolysyndetonA scheme that places a conjuctions after every term in the list.98
5852767242AnastropheA scheme in which a normal order is changed for emphasis;.99
5852767243ChiasmusA scheme in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first but with the parts reversed.100
5852767244AntimetaboleA scheme in which an inverted order of repeated words in adjacent phrase or clauses.101
5852767245AppositionA scheme in which an additional explanatory element is added.102
5852767246ApostropheA scheme in which a person or an abstract quality is directly addressed whether present or not.103
5852767247EllipsisA scheme that omits some words that would be necessary for a complete constrution104
5852767248PunctuationPay attention to the punctuation. Does that author ask a bunch of questions.105
5852767249AphorismA terse statement of know authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principal106
5852767250DigressionThe inclusion of material unrelated to the actual subject of work.107
5852767251ElegyA poem that praises the dead.108
5852767252EuphemismFrom the Greek for "good speech" more aggressive or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept109
5852767253JaragonThe specialized language of a profession or group110
5852767254JuxtapositionThe act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side for emphasis111
5852767255Inference/InferTo draw a reasonable conclusion for the information presented.112
5852767256LyricalSonglike, expressing the writer's emotions in an imaginative and beautiful way.113
5852767257MoodThe prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work.114
5852767258ParodyA work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule115
5852767259PersonaA individual social facade or front that reflects the role in life the individual is playing.116
5852767260SatireA work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions or conventions for reform or ridicule117
5852767261SyllogismFrom the Greek for "reckoning together118
5852767262SynesthesiaA device by which one sensory stimulus evokes the subjective experiences of another.119

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