Analyzing Arguments
This is the main point or central stance an author is trying to prove in an argumentative text.
What is a claim (or thesis)?
This text structure explains why something happened and what the result was.
What is Cause and Effect?
This is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.
What is a synonym?
This punctuation mark is used to join two independent clauses without using a conjunction.
What is a semicolon?
This writing style avoids slang, contractions (like "can't"), and the first-person "I," and is typically used for academic essays.
What is formal style?
This is the primary reason an author writes a specific text, such as to inform, entertain, or persuade.
What is author’s purpose?
If a text uses words like "similarly," "on the other hand," or "likewise," it is using this structure.
What is Compare and Contrast?
These are the words or sentences surrounding an unknown word that help you figure out its meaning.
What are context clues?
This error occurs when two complete sentences are joined by only a comma.
What is a comma splice?
This term describes the unique combination of beliefs, values, and experiences that influence how an author looks at a topic.
What is perspective? (or Point of View)
This is a statement that acknowledges the "other side" or the opposing viewpoint of the author's argument.
What is a counterclaim?
This term describes the specific dictionary definition of a word, free from emotional association.
What is denotation?
This figurative language device gives human characteristics to non-human things.
What is personification?
In this sentence type, the subject is performing the action (e.g., "The chef prepared the meal").
What is active voice?
These are the social, religious, economic, and political conditions that existed during the time a piece of literature was written.
What is historical context?
To disprove a counterclaim using evidence and reasoning, an author provides one of these.
What is a rebuttal?
Authors use this to provide additional information through charts, graphs, or captions.
What are text features?
This is the "emotional weight" or vibe that a word carries (positive, negative, or neutral).
What is connotation?
This part of speech is used to modify a verb, adjective, or another one of its kind.
What is an adverb?
In an introduction, an author provides this to ensure the reader has enough "pre-knowledge" to understand the argument or story.
What is background information?
For evidence to be effective in an argument, it must be "sufficient" and this, meaning it actually relates to and supports the claim.
What is relevant?
This is the term for the feeling or atmosphere a writer creates for the reader.
What is mood?
This Greek root word means "life," as seen in the words biology and biography.
What is "Bio"?
A sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause is called this.
What is a complex sentence?
While a "subjective" perspective is based on personal feelings, this type of perspective is based strictly on facts and evidence.
What is an objective perspective?