Structure and Central Idea
This term refers to the main point or overriding message the author wants the reader to understand about a topic, which must be supported by textual evidence.
What is the central idea?
This is the author’s primary reason for writing a text, whether it is to inform, entertain, or persuade.
What is author's purpose?
This is the primary statement or position that an author hooks their entire argument upon.
What is a claim (or thesis)?
This classic rhetorical appeal relies on logic, statistics, facts, and data to convince an audience.
What is logos?
This is the literal, dictionary definition of a word, completely stripped of emotion.
What is denotation?
If an author uses a sequential or chronological structure in a biography, they are organizing the events in this specific order.
What is time order (or order of occurrence)?
This term describes the author’s attitude toward their subject matter, often conveyed through precise word choice (diction).
What is tone?
To be considered "valid," the evidence an author provides must be directly related to the claim, meaning it is this.
What is relevant?
An author who establishes themselves as an expert or quotes a world-renowned doctor is utilizing this rhetorical appeal.
What is ethos?
This is the emotional baggage or cultural meaning attached to a word, which can be positive, negative, or neutral.
What is connotation?
"How does paragraph 4 contribute to the development of the central idea?" If paragraph 4 gives background data on a problem, it serves this structural purpose.
What is problem and solution?
"How does the author's use of a first-person perspective in an informational essay impact the reader?" It usually does this to the reader's relationship with the topic.
What is creating a personal connection (or building trust/credibility)?
This specific logical fallacy occurs when an arguer attacks their opponent's character rather than addressing the actual argument.
What is an ad hominem attack?
When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. repeated the phrase "I have a dream" throughout his speech, he was using this specific rhetorical structure.
What is repetition?
If a FAST question asks you to find the meaning of a word "as it is used in paragraph 2," you must look at these surrounding clues to figure it out.
What are context clues?
This type of organizational structure is being used when an informational text focuses heavily on the reasons why an event happened and the subsequent results.
What is cause and effect?
When an author acknowledges the opposing viewpoint in an informational text, they are addressing this "C-word."
What is a counterclaim (or counterargument)?
If a speaker claims that "clipping coupons will inevitably lead to total economic collapse," they are guilty of this slippery logical fallacy.
What is a slippery slope?
This term describes a question asked merely for effect or to make a point, with no real answer expected from the audience.
What is a rhetorical question?
Describing a vintage car as "decrepit" instead of "old" severely alters this element of the text.
What is the tone (or mood)?
To achieve a perfect score on a FAST question asking for an "objective summary," a student must ensure the summary is completely free of these.
What are personal opinions (or biases)?
If an author shifts from a neutral, objective perspective to a highly passionate one, they are likely trying to do this to the reader.
What is persuade them to take action (or evoke an emotional response)?
"Which statement best evaluates the author's response to the counterclaim?" A student must look for an answer choice that determines if the author's rebuttal was backed by this.
What is sufficient evidence (or logical reasoning)?
"How does the author use rhetoric in paragraph 3 to advance their purpose?" If the author uses a heartbreaking anecdote about a shelter animal, they are using this appeal to create this reaction.
What is pathos to create empathy/guilt?
This type of language uses figures of speech—like metaphors, similes, and personification—to convey meaning beyond the literal level in non-fiction texts.
What is figurative language?