READ 150 Chapters 2-7 Review

Patterns of organization

Refer to the various ways that a paragraph's sentences can be arranged

Metaphor

Refers to a direct comparison, in which a particular or characteristic of one thing (the figurative) is transferred to another (the literal); commonly presented with verbs is, are, etc.

Satire

Refers to a type of writing that seeks to expose folly or wickedness, to hold human behavior up to ridicule, and to show the reader that certain actions or behavior would be more desirable.

Point of View

Refers to author's attitude or position on an issue or topic. It is also known as an author's argument or bias.

Nonfiction

Refers to prose that deals with real subjects, as opposed to fiction, which is imaginative.

Tone

Refers to the feeling or emotional quality a piece of writing conveys to the reader.

Argumentation

Refers to writing supported by logical evidence

Code Words

Secret words or phrases that mean something special to insiders but something different to outsiders. Examples: Code blue, PB&J, ET, Roy G. Biv, RIP, BYOB, F2F.

Cynicism

Distrusting or disparaging towards the motives or sincerity of others; reflects detection of falseness in others and recognizes impure thoughts.

Topic

General subject the paragraph is about.

Fiction

Imaginative

Simile

In contrast to metaphor, is an imaginative comparison stated indirectly with the words "like," "as," "as though," "as if," and occasionally "seem."

Doublespeak

Language deliberately constructed to disguise or distort its actual meaning. It is used to twist, deceive or misrepresent the truth. Examples: Ethnic cleansing, collateral damage, revenue enhancement, manifest destiny, negative cash flow, neutralize.

Illustration

Method of development that the writer may support a general idea by using a single longer, extended example

Classification

Method of development that the writer uses to put two or more things into classes or categories, following a consistent system

Analogy

Method of development, the most sophisticated, in which the writer discusses the literal subject in terms of something else

Exposition

Objective writing with a straightforward purpose to inform, to explain, to make clear, to discuss, to set forth (Mode of discourse)

Controlling Idea

Often a descriptive word or phrase that limits or qualifies, or narrows the topic to make the larger subject manageable.

Denotation

The literal or explicit meaning of a word; dictionary definition

Synthesis

To take the knowledge one has and connect it with other knowledge or put parts together to form a new and original whole.

Narration

To tell a story (Mode of discourse)

Author's Purpose

To tell a story. To show what something looks like or feel like. To inform, to set forth, to explain, to discuss. to convince the reader to adopt the writer's point of view.

Comprehension

To understand what something means and be able to provide new examples of the concept from a personal, internalized perspective.

Application

To use information according to principles and rules.

Main Idea

Topic + Controlling Idea

Sneer Words

Words with strong negative, derogatory connotations. Often labeling and name calling involved. Examples: Chick's movie, flyover states, acting blonde, acting like wild Indians, half-breed, so-called.

Implied Main Idea

Writer's suggestions of main idea by providing various details, the main idea is implied, or not explicitly stated.

Tone in textbooks

Writing that conveys factual information in academic courses has a tone corresponding to that purpose and is typically characterized by unemotional, straightforward and objective tone.

Uses of Metaphors and Similes

-to provide a visual image -to establish a mood or situation -to explain an emotional state -to reinforce an observation -to clarify a scientific concept or observation -to persuade or convince

Hyperbole

A figure of speech that uses deliberate exaggeration for effect.

Main Idea and Controlling Idea

A general statement telling the reader what it is about.

Paragraph

A group of related sentences that develop and support one idea.

Wit

A humorous, brief, and clever use of words and a pointed perception in describing human frailty and folly.

Major Support

A level of support that directly relates to the development of the main idea.

Minor Support

A level of support that illustrates, or otherwise develop the major ones.

Allusion

A pointed and meaningful reference to something outside the text that helps illuminate the subject. The common allusions are: The Bible, History, Literature, Greek, Roman, or other mythology, popular culture, including movies, songs, works of art, fashion, the media, and so forth.

Critical Reading

A technique for discovering information and ideas within a text. It requires careful, active, reflective analytical reading skills; requires that you can recognize the writer's point of view and purpose, mode of discourse, the types of word choices, and the writer's tone.

Critical Thinking

A technique for evaluating information and ideas, for deciding what to accept and believe.

Figurative Language

Also called Figures of Speech refers to language not in its literal sense, including metaphor, similes, and personification

LANGUAGE MISUSED AND ABUSED

Ambiguous and cliched language; putting a spin on something to soften the impact; intentionally exploiting, inciting, or inflaming the reader

Persuasion

An attempt to change another person's feelings or opinions by using emotional or ethical appeals (Mode of discourse)

Sentimentality

An umbrella word describing a tone that appeals to one's tender emotions.

Generally positive tones

Approving, admiring; sincere, honest, candid; serious, somber, grave; philosophical, reflective, pensive; eager, fervent, passionate, zealous; questioning, skeptical; amusing,funny, humorous; sorrowful, mournful, lamenting; nostalgic, wistful, melancholy; critical, analytical, judicious

Example

Method of development that supports with a specific instance of a more general concept

Generally negative tones

Critical, fault-finding, disparaging; complaining, aggrieved, whining; harsh, mean-spirited, nasty; provocative, shrill, rabble-rousing, inflammatory; sentimental, gushy, maudlin, mawkish

Sarcasm

Derives from the Latin word for flesh-cutting; a form of wit that taunts or ridicules the subject.

Sponge Approach

Emphasizes knowledge acquisition.

Personification

Figure of speech referring to something inanimate or nonhuman

Neutral Tones

Informative, impartial, instructive

Euphemisms

Inoffensive language used as a substitute for possibly offensive terms; used to soften our impressions of unpleasant events, change our beliefs, or even to cover up wrongdoings. Examples: Retiree, senior citizen; Inebriated, tipsy, intoxicated; Pre-owned vehicle for a used car; Chemically dependent for a drug addict; Mixed breed dog for a hybrid dog; Downsizing for being fired.

Bloom's Taxonomy (Levels of Thinking)

Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation

Contrast

Method of development that properly refers to a discussion of the differences between two or more related or like things

Figures of Speech

Metaphor, Similes, Personification. Metaphors and similes provide a visual image, to establish a mood or a situation, to explain an emotional state, and to reinforce an observation, or to clarify a scientific concept or observation.

Statistics

Method of development in the form of data, numbers, derived from research studies, polls, census figures, or other similar voices

Process

Method of development of process writing with Directive and Informative methods

Comparison

Method of development that discusses similarities

Fact

Method of development that gives a piece of verifiable objective information

Analysis

Method of development that invoves only a single entity, the parts of which are examined one at a time

Definition

Method of development that is used to clarify a term that may be open to varying interpretation (or to misinterpretation or because the writer is using a word in a subjective or personal way

Cause and Effect

Method of development that refers to reasons and consequences, or results

Inductive Order

Pattern of organization sometimes called specific-to-general order, involves a series of specific observations leading to a generalization (the main idea) that the reader can validly infer from the statements.

Deductive Order

Pattern of organization that is referred as the general-to-specific order, which reinforces the main idea stated directly at the beginning of a passage followed by explanatory materials

Spatial Order

Pattern of organization that is related to the word space, which is the arrangement in details observed in an environment so that the reader can visualize the scene

Chronological Order

Pattern of organization that refers to the order in which events happen; commonly found in narrative and descriptive writing

Word Choices

Positive or Negative Connotative values, favorable, unfavorable, neutral

Informative Process

Process in which the writer describes a phenomenon--how something came into existence

Description

Shows what something feels like or looks like (Mode of discourse)

Jargon

Specialized language used by a particular group of people, specific activity, or profession. Examples: Double play, home run, designated hitter; Junk bonds, leverage buyout, sell side; Blog, URL, browse, surf, cookie, spam.

Two Approaches to Critical Reading and Thinking

Sponge and Panning for Gold approaches complement each other as one absorbs information, the other looks for essentials of the topic for later analysis.

Panning for Gold Approach

Stresses active interaction with knowledge.

Connotation

The cluster of suggestions, ideas, or emotional associations a word carries

Irony

The opposite of what one typically expects to occur.

Cliches

Tired, overused expressions that have lost their intended force or novelty. Examples: A day late and a dollar short; burn the candle at both ends; play with fire; damned if you do, damned if you don't; it's a no brainer; been there, done that; a go-to guy.

Knowledge

To be able to recall or remember facts or bits of information. One can know something without understanding it.

Analysis

To break down information into the sum of its parts and to see how those parts work together and be able to organize or place it into meaningful and new patterns or relationships.

Evaluation

To judge whether information or an argument is sound or unsound based on a set of criteria; present and defend opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas, or quality of work based on a set of criteria.

Directive Process

Usually found in cookbooks or in laboratory, or technical manuals, shows the reader how to perform a task.

Politically correct language

language that attempts to avoid insensitivity related to diversity, historical injustices, racism, and the like. Examples: Chairperson, instead of a chairman or a chairwoman, Firefighter instead of a fireman, hearing impaired instead of deaf, Office Assistant instead of a secretary, and homeless person instead of bum.