Argument
Grammar & Language
Do Your Research!
Academic Language
Miscellaneous
100
A statement that is arguable and used as a primary point to support or prove an argument. The main point of a argumentative essay.
What is a claim?
100
A type of run-on sentence in which two complete clauses are joined together by a comma.
What is a comma splice?
100
A collection of journal articles, newspapers, and other periodicals available to search online through a library.
What is a database?
100
Specialized language used by groups of like-minded individuals. Examples: BTW, FAQ, LOL...
What is jargon?
100
Breaking down a text into its parts in order to examine and discuss them.
What is analysis?
200
Common errors in logic that undermine an argument.
What are logical fallacies?
200
Misuse of a word, such as using there instead of their.
What is a usage error?
200
A way of designating within the text of a paper which ideas are yours and which ideas come from an outside source.
What is an in-text citation?
200
A sentence in which the subject is acted upon; he or she receives the action expressed by the verb. This should generally be avoided when possible.
What is passive voice?
200
Writing only the main points from a text. Should be significantly shorter than the original text.
What is a summary?
300
Three common appeals used in argument.
What are ethos (ethical appeals), logos (logical appeals), and pathos (emotional appeals)?
300
A phrase or clause written as a sentence but lacking an element, as a subject or verb, that would enable it to function as an independent sentence.
What is a sentence fragment?
300
Taking someone else's ideas and claiming them as your own.
What is plagiarism?
300
A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. Example: "The man passed away" instead of "The man died."
What is a euphemism?
300
The process of using observation and background knowledge as well as other known premises to determine a conclusion that makes sense. Reading between the lines.
What is inference?
400
Underlying assumptions made by an author of an argumentative essay.
What is a warrant?
400
Similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.
What is parallelism?
400
The last page of a paper that lists all of the outside sources used in a paper.
What is a works cited page?
400
Language that is formal, written in third person, uses plenty of word variety and sophisticated vocabulary. Uses transitions and no slang.
What is academic language?
400
Using and integrating information from multiple sources to support a main point.
What is synthesis?
500
A claim or evidence that disagrees with the the thesis statement of an argumentative essay.
What is a counterargument?
500
An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.
What is connotation?
500
A fact or idea that most people know. It does not require an in-text citation.
What is common knowledge?
500
Language that paints a picture for a reader. Examples include metaphors, similes, hyperbole, etc.
What is figurative language?
500
Rewriting a passage in your own words wherein you keep a similar structure and include details.
What is paraphrase?