Thesis and Argument
Writing Process
Paragraph Structure
Essay Structure
Writing Concepts
100

A sentence that presents the main argument or point of an essay

What is a thesis statement?

100

A preliminary version of a piece of writing that is subject to revision and editing

What is a draft?

100

A unit of writing that presents a single idea or point

What is a paragraph?

100

The opening section of an essay or other piece of writing that provides background information and sets the stage for the main argument or point

What is an introduction?

100

Modern Language Association

What does MLA stand for?

200

A statement or series of statements intended to persuade someone of a particular point of view

What is an argument?

200

The process of reviewing and editing a draft in order to improve its clarity, coherence, and effectiveness

What is revision?

200

MLA BONUS: Times New Roman, 12 pt

What is the correct font and font size for MLA papers?

200

MLA BONUS: To provide a list of all sources cited in the paper, so that readers can find them easily

What is the purpose of a Works Cited page in an MLA paper?

200

The intended readers or listeners of a piece of writing

What is an audience?

300

Facts, data, statistics, or other information used to support an argument or claim

What is evidence?

300

MLA BONUS: Last name, First name. Title of Book [in italics]. Publisher, Publication Year. [Publisher city is no longer required]

What is the proper way to format a Works Cited entry for a book with one author?

300

A sentence that expresses the main idea or focus of a paragraph

What is a topic sentence?

300

The main part of an essay or paper that provides detailed and specific information and evidence to support the thesis or main idea

What is a body paragraph?

300

The reason why a piece of writing is written, such as to inform, persuade, or entertain

What is a purpose?

400

The process of examining something in detail in order to understand it better and draw conclusions

What is analysis?

400

A plan or framework that organizes the main ideas and supporting details of an essay

What is an outline?

400

A word or phrase that connects one idea or paragraph to the next

What is transition?

400

MLA BONUS: Whenever you quote or paraphrase someone else's words or ideas

When should in-text citations be used in an MLA paper?

400

A category or type of writing, such as an essay, short story, or poem

What is a genre?

500

The act of combining different ideas or information to create a new understanding or perspective

What is synthesis?

500

MLA BONUS: Last name, First name of first author, and First name Last name of second author. Title of Book [in italics] or Article [in quotes]. Publisher, Publication Year.

What is the correct way to format a citation for a source with two authors in an MLA paper?

500

MLA BONUS: Last name, First name (if available). "Title of Page or Article." Title of Website, Publisher or Sponsor of Site, Date of Publication or Last Update, URL.

What is the proper way to format a Works Cited entry for a website?

500

The final part of an essay that restates the main ideas and presents a final judgement or opinion based on those ideas

What is a conclusion?

500

The act of using someone else's work or ideas without giving proper credit or citation

What is plagiarism?

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