Argument Essay—Parts
A statement in your introduction clearly indicating a position on the issue.
Claim
A struggle or problem in a story that must be resolved
Conflict
During my run through the snow, the frigid air fills my lungs with a shocking chill.
Imagery
The author's attitude toward his or her subject, or a character's attitude.
Tone
The universal theme in a piece of writing.
Central Idea
Tom exposes Gatsby as a fraud to Daisy in this famous New York City institution.
The Plaza Hotel
The facts, studies, statistics, anecdotes, quotes that a writer gives to support the claim.
Evidence
Vivid descriptive language in a text that helps the reader to see, hear, smell, taste, or feel.
Imagery
TWO terms: Chocolate is my Achilles' heel.
Allusion and Metaphor
A reference to historical or fictional characters, places, or events that the author assumes the reader will recognize.
Allusion
A broad term for all the techniques, styles, and strategies an author uses to enhance their writing.
Literary Devices/Writing Strategies
Award-winning actor who portrays Walter Younger (among other roles) and was alluded to in The Nickel Boys.
Sidney Poitier
Real or possible opposing views that a writer needs to include in an essay.
Counterarguments or Counterclaims
Language that you know is not meant to be taken literally, such as metaphors or hyperbole.
Figurative Language
TWO terms: The last day of school is the green light at the end of my dock.
Symbolism (or Metaphor) and Allusion
The method by which an author creates the appearance and personality of imaginary persons and reveals their character.
Characterization
The reference to a passage or author; giving credit to the source; expressed with line numbers on the exam.
Citation
Great Gatsby character who said, "Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.”
Meyer Wolfsheim
The writer's response or reaction to the counter-argument pointing out politely how they are wrong.
Rebuttal
When something unexpected or just the opposite of what is expected happens.
Situational Irony
Builders and crew of the Titanic: "This ship is unsinkable!"
Irony
When an abstract idea is represented by something concrete.
Symbolism
Detailed and thorough examination of a text or its structure
Analysis
Mr. Hill in The Nickel Boys rode buses as one of these folks.
Freedom Riders
Indicating the author or source within the phrasing of the sentence. For example, According to Dr. Taylor Smith, psychiatrist from Columbia University...
Signal Phrase
A brief narrative of an entertaining and presumably true incident—often used to begin an essay or explain an idea.
Anecdote
"Please put away your phones, headphones, earbuds, etc" : a common, ongoing __________ in LHS classes.
Motif
A recurring idea
Motif
A guess that is made based on interpretation of the text.
Inference
Term for the discriminatory practice of color-coded outlines on maps to show which neighborhoods were “too risky” and thus allowing banks to deny mortgages.
Redlining