ENG 111 Terms

Argument

An argument attempts to convince the audience to accept the validity of the writer's thesis. The development of an argument may involve one specific rhetorical strategy or multiple rhetorical strategies. It appeals both to the audience's reason and emotion. While the counter argument may be specifically addressed in the writing, an awareness of the counter argument may also be implied in the writing. Regardless, the writer must demonstrate an awareness of the counter argument to convince the audience of the validity of the thesis.

Audience

An audience is the intended group of readers for writing. To write effectively you should estimate your audience's knowledge of your subject, their interest in it, and their biases toward it.

Causal Analysis

Causal analysis is a strategy to explain the relationship between causes and effects. Causal analysis explains why something has happened in the past (effect to cause) or why something will happen in the future (cause to effect). Causes and effects often occur in a logical sequence, called a causal chain. As a result, causal analysis frequently explains why one link of the causal chain is connected to a following link to analyze and explain the relationships between causes and effects.

Classification/Division

Classification and division are similar strategies of writing. They both organize complex subjects to analyze and explain these complex subjects. Division separates a complex subject into sub-units. The subject is usually singular. The division of the subject results from the writer's "principle of analysis." (Aaron, Repetto, 142). The complex subject is clarified when the audience understands its sub-units and the relationship between the sub-units. Classification groups multiple subjects into categories. These categories follow a "principle of classification" that distinguishes each group. (Aaron,Repetto, 168)The complex subjects are clarified when the audience understands the similarities and differences between the groups and the principles of classification that determined the groups.

Coherence

Coherence creates the "flow" between sentences and paragraphs that reinforce the unity of ideas in the writing.There are four basic methods to create this "flow": transitional expressions, repetition of key words and phrases, pronoun reference and parallelism.

Comparison/Contrast

Comparison is a strategy to explain the similarities between two or more subjects. Contrast is a strategy to explain the differences between two or more subjects. The purpose of comparison and/or contrast is to reveal information about the subjects that explains the subjects more clearly or evaluates the subjects to establish advantages and disadvantages. Effective comparison/contrast explains similarities and/or differences in parallel.

Conventions of Language

Conventions of English are the standard rules of grammar, punctuation and mechanics. Conventions are crucial to effective writing.

Diction

Diction is the precise choice and use of words appropriate to your purpose and audience.

Editing

Editing is reading your draft to correct errors in grammar, punctuation or mechanics "...editing occurs more on the line..." (Aaron, Repetto, 47)

Narration

Narration, a story, is a strategy to relate a series of events that are linked in an orderly progression of time. However, narrative time is not always chronological time. The writer determines the progression and organization of time that most effectively conveys the purpose of the narrative.

Paragraph Transitions

Paragraph transitions clarify the relationship of one paragraph to the other.

Revision

Revision is "re-seeing" your draft. It occurs during the entire writing process. Reading to revise improves the meaning and organization of the drafts of your writing. Revision "...occurs beneath the line..." (Aaron, Repetto, 47)

Rhetoric

Rhetoric is the art of effective writing. Rhetorical strategies are the foundation of effective writing.

Sentence Coherence

Sentence coherence is the continuity between sentences created by transitions. There are four basic methods to sentence coherence: transitional words, repetition of key words and phrases from sentence to sentence, pronoun reference, and parallelism.

Sentence Fluency

Sentence fluency establishes the "flow" or continuity of the ideas in sentences that develop the purpose of your writing. Sentence fluency consists of syntax and coherence.

Sentence Syntax

Sentence syntax is the order in which words are arranged in a sentence to clearly and effectively convey the meaning of the sentence.

Conclusion

The essential function of a conclusion is to convey a sense of completeness for the writing. This may be achieved by summarizing the major points of development and stating a final comment or judgment. It may also be achieved by stating the relevance of the subject to broader issues and future directions of the subject.

Introduction

The introduction is not necessarily restricted to one paragraph. However, whether it is one paragraph or more, the introduction has essential functions. It clarifies the thesis or controlling idea of the writing. It provides a "map" for the organization of the writing. It establishes the audience for the writing.

Paragraph

The paragraph is a sub-unit of the development and organization of the thesis. Typically, it is a group of sentences that are indented to develop a single idea. A topic sentence unifies and organizes the paragraph. However, depending on the writer's purpose, paragraph organization and development may vary.

Thesis Statement

The thesis must restrict the general subject to the specific elements of the subject of your writing. It must unify these elements into the structure of organization that you will use in your writing. The thesis must use precise vocabulary to clarify the terms of your writing.

Topic Sentence

The topic sentence unifies the paragraph with the thesis. It also organizes the information in the paragraph.

Voice

Voice is the element of writing that conveys your unique understanding of the subject of your writing. Your voice "speaks" to your audience. It is the "personality" of your writing.

Unity

Writing is unified when all elements are related. Words relate the idea(s) in a sentence; sentences relate to the topic sentence of the paragraph, paragraphs relate to the thesis.