Position (thesis) on a topic that is proven with reasons and evidence.
200
Evidence
Facts / information / elements from the text that support and illustrate the reason (or the reason).
200
Conclusion
The end stage of making an argument, when the author restates the thesis which has just been demonstrated, explained and elaborated upon.
200
Topic
The subject of a piece of writing, speech, or discussion. What is being written about or talked about.
300
Audience
The listener, receiver, viewer of a text.
300
Summary
Shorter than the original, an overview of the main ideas or points of a text.
300
Paraphrase
To put an idea in one's own words, regardless of length.
300
Counterclaim
A claim made against an existing claim.
300
Transition
Words or phrases used to link ideas together (therefore, and, in addition to, finally, in conclusion).
400
Purpose
Why the author wrote the piece (inform, persuade, criticize, praise, etc)
400
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds.
400
Consonance
Repetition of vowel sounds.
400
Theme
The main idea of a work or passage?
400
Allegory
A narrative with a larger symbolic meaning.
500
Allusion
Reference to history or literature.
500
Cohesion
The quality a piece of writing has when all the ideas and supporting details and examples relate to each other and flow logically from one to the next.
500
Style
The unique way in which an author combines choices of diction with other literary devices; also, the level of formality of a text (informal, formal, grand).
500
Structure
The arrangement and development from beginning to end of a text.
500
Irony
Discrepancy between what is said and what actually happens.