Argument
Source
A book, article, website, person, or piece of media that contains information is considered a source.
Counterclaim
A reasonable argument that opposes or disagrees with another claim
Precise claims
A specific claim with clear language
Transitions
A word, phrase, or clause that links one idea to the next to create cohesion.
Logical fallacy
An error in reasoning that makes an argument invalid
Fallacious reasoning
An invalid, or incorrect, argument
Thesis
Another word for claim, the sentence that controls the argument
Ethos
Appealing to readers by proving expertise or knowledge of a topic
Logos
Appealing to readers with facts or data
Pathos
Appealing to the emotions of readers
Valid reasoning
Arguments or claims that have a sound basis in logic and fact
Synthesize
Combine different ideas or information. Research projects require students to combine elements from multiple sources to show an understanding of the topic being researched or to make a point about the topic
Organization
Complex ideas and information arranged with clarity using effective transitions
Cohesion
Connection between sentences, paragraphs, and ideas in a text
Sufficient evidence
Enough info to prove the author's claims
Develop
Explore and reveal a central idea within a text using reasons, evidence, and details
Relevant evidence
Facts, details, or information related to the topic in the text and helps support the author's opinion, claim, and reasoning
Audience
For whom writing is written
Argumentative text
Form of writing where writer makes a claim and supports that claim with reasons and evidence
Extended definitions
Giving long explanations for complex terms, often including examples to help the audience understand the terminology and how it relates to the text and its central idea
Substantive topics
Important issues that impact many people or deal with a basic social issue
Summary
Including the main points of text in words not used before making clear to the reader how the points made throughout the text supported the central idea
Paraphrase
Information from a source that is rewritten in your own words and followed by a citation, used when clearer to use your own wording
Claim
Main statement or message, the sentence that controls the argument
Objective tone
Maintaining a neutral attitude in writing
Writing process
Most informational or technical pieces require hard work and revision before they can be considered ready, includes prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing, proofreading, and publishing
Authoritative source
One that has been written by an expert who is recognized in his or her field of expertise, government websites, public records, and peer-reviewed journals
Plagiarism
Presenting the words, works, or ideas of someone else as though they are one's own and without providing attribution to the author
Analysis
Process of looking closely at the small details of a topic, explanation, or argument to see how they work together and affect the whole
Call to action
Providing an opportunity for the audience to act on the argument, information, or explanation developed in the text, encouraging the audience to change their thought processes, research a topic further, see the broader implications of an idea, or think about something in a new way
Cause and effect
Relationship where one thing makes another thing happen
Repetition
Returning to a theme, idea, or scenario presented in the introduction to provides the audience with closure, going full circle
Formatting
Structuring writing in a way that will best communicate the writer's central idea, reasons, and details in order to prove a point
Problem and solution
Text that is organized by identifying a problem and proposing one or more solutions
Quotations
The exact copying of what a source said, word for word, put inside quotation marks and followed by a citation, used when important to preserve tone, accuracy, or voice
Research
The process of gathering information in order to learn more about a topic
Chronological order
The sequence a series of events happened
Order of importance
The structure of listing supporting details from most important to least important, or by least important to most important
Compare and contrast
The structure of putting together similarities and differences
Citation
The way the writer tells readers that certain details or information included in the text come from another source.
Relationships
The ways in which ideas are connected to clarify how claims and reasons or claims and counterclaims are related
Purpose
The writer's intention for his or her piece
Convey
To communicate complex ideas, concepts, and informational clearly and accurately
Examine
To inspect or investigate a topic and text closely to determine its nature, condition, rhetorical strategies, organization, complexity, and accuracy
Integrate
To put together key details and evidence from sources to show an understanding of the topic or issue
Accurate
To represent the information correctly, preserving facts, details, and intention of the original author of the source
Formal style
Used for academic and professional communications or for situations in which two individuals do not know each other well, often uses complex sentences and third-person point of view, and avoids punctuation that is meant to show emotion, such as exclamation points.
Informal style
Used in relaxed situations in which people know each other well, may use patterns of everyday speech, slang, simple sentences, contractions, and expressions of emotions
Persuasive rhetorical strategies
Using language to persuade, influence, or please the audience
Complex
When an idea, concept or information has many sides or aspects to it, these ideas often need more than a sentence or two to explain them properly
credible
believable; reliable
Impact
how the argument could affect the audience and on society as a whole
Concrete details
specific information, facts, and knowledge shared within a text in order to explain, inform, or prove a particular point, usually appeals to at least one of the reader's five senses and allows the reader to create a mental picture of the idea, concept, or argument being discussed
prompt
statements and questions that focus on a topic or issue to move you to respond
voice
the conscious choices a writer makes to develop his/her own style of writing
Significance
why the topic presented is important and why the audience should care about the issue presented
Concluding statement/section
writing that explains why the argument is important or significant or provides a call to action