Punctuation & Syntax
This voice is used when the subject of the sentence performs the action.
Active
A phrase beginning with an "-ing" or "-ed" word that acts as an adjective.
Participial phrase
Use this word when referring to a specific number of countable items (fewer/less)
fewer
Attacking a person’s character rather than his/her argument.
Ad hominem
The main argument or thesis statement of an essay.
Claim
This punctuation mark is used specifically to indicate a range of numbers or dates.
En dash
This phrase type acts as a single noun within a sentence.
Noun phrase
Use this word when you misplace an item. (lose/loose)
Assuming that because Event A happened before Event B, A must have caused B.
False cause
This section of a dictionary entry explains the history and origin of a word.
Etymology
This error occurs when a list of items does not follow the same grammatical pattern.
Faulty parallelism
A phrase like "His heart racing," which modifies an entire sentence.
Absolute phrase
Use this word when you are making a comparison between two things. (than/then)
than
An argument that claims a small first step will lead to a chain of disasters.
Slippery slope
The part of an argument that addresses and disproves a counterclaim.
Rebuttal
This punctuation mark is used for emphasis or a sudden break.
Em dash
This type of phrase modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.
Adverbial phrase
This word is most often used as a noun to indicate the result of an action. (affect/effect)
Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.
Straw man
The part of a dictionary entry that tells you if a word is a v., n., or adj.
Part of speech
Three dots used to show that words have been omitted from a quote.
Ellipsis
In the sentence "The chef must have been cooking all morning," everything but the subject and the time of day makes up this type of phrase.
Verb phrase
This word is used to indicate possession by multiple people. (there/their/they're)
Their
An argument where the "proof" is just a restatement of the conclusion.
Circular reasoning
Acknowledging the opposing side's viewpoint in an argument.
Counterclaim