Comma Chameleon
Commas are used before using coordinating conjunctions; this acronym represents those conjunctions.
In this voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action.
What is active voice?
This part of the "House" represents the main claim or formal demand.
What is the roof?
This part of the rebuttal comes after "The Nod" and represents the opponent's view.
What is the excuse?
The dictionary definition of a word.
What is denotation?
The comma that serves to separate these: Oswego, New York.
What is city and state?
In this voice, the action is performed on the subject.
What is passive voice?
Concrete facts, quotes, or data that act as the structural support for a claim.
What is the evidence/are the pillars?
Use "Consequently" or "Therefore" to start this final section of a paragraph.
What is the conclusion/claim?
The emotional "vibe," associations, or feelings a word brings to mind.
What is connotation?
Use a comma after this element before the main clause: "After school, I went..."
What is an introductory phrase?
Conversion of this sentence to active voice: "The speech was read by Alex."
What is "Alex read the speech?"
The section where a writer explains how their evidence proves their specific claim.
What is the foundation/analysis?
Information that is stated clearly and directly within a text.
What is explicit information?
Punctuation marks used when copying words directly from a text to support a claim.
What are quotation marks?
This is the purpose of using a comma in a sentence?
What is create a pause/separates words, phrases, or ideas so the meaning is clear?
Conversion of this sentence to passive voice: "The ball was kicked by the soccer player."
What is "The soccer player kicked the ball?"
This part of the "House" sets up your quotes or smoothly introduces your evidence.
What is the door/transition and context?
A full, arguable statement reflecting a universal message.
What is a theme?
The most intense point of a story where the main conflict reaches its peak.
What is the climax?
The term for the optional final comma (before and, or, nor) in a series of three or more.
What is an oxford comma?
Passive sentences often use this prepositional phrase to show who did the action.
What is the "by" phrase?
If these are weak or missing, your main argumentative roof will do this.
What is collapse?
To make these, students must use textual evidence to make "educated guesses."
What are inferences?
Language expressing ideas beyond literal meaning, such as similes and metaphors.
What is figurative language?