English Vocab Midterm

Question 1

Argument

Answer 1

a discussion in which reasons are put forward in support or and against claim

Question 2

Elements of an argument?

Answer 2

1. The central claim needs to be debatable
2. The claim needs to be supported by evidence
3. The writer needs to address both sides of the arguement

Question 3

Arguement’s purpose?

Answer 3

1. To change the reader/listener’s point of view
2. To ask the reader/listener to take an action
3. To gain acceptance for the writer’s/listener’s ideas about a problem or issue

Question 4

Rhetorical Appeals

Answer 4

the qualities of an argument that makes it persuasive

Question 5

Logos

Answer 5

• the use of logic, reasons, facts, statistics, data, and numbers
• often provides tangible “proof”
• Aimed at thinkers

Question 6

Strategies writers use to appeal to logos

Answer 6

-test results
-research findings
-facts that can be verified
-statistics, percentages, charts
-expert opinion
-examples
-cause & effect
-compare/contrast

Question 7

Ethos

Answer 7

• Credibility of the author / speaker
• Showing shared values and beliefs
• Audience likes authors who seem honest, smart, wise, & trustworthy

Question 8

Strategies writers use to appeal to ethos

Answer 8

-Religion – the desire to follow the rules and behavior of one’s faith
-Patriotism – the urge to place one’s country before personal needs
-Standards – the desire to be a good citizen, good student, good parent, etc.
-Humanitarianism – appeal to help others, save the environment, help the helpless

Question 9

Pathos

Answer 9

• emotional appeal
• meant to trigger an emotional response

Question 10

Strategies writers use to appeal to pathos

Answer 10

-pity / sympathy
-fear
-disgust
-excitement
-happiness

Question 11

Claim

Answer 11

a thesis statement describing the position the writer is taking on an issue (a debatable statement that is the focus of the essay)

Question 12

Reasons

Answer 12

the main ideas supporting the claim

Question 13

Evidence

Answer 13

specific ideas supporting reasons

Question 14

Concession/Counterclaim

Answer 14

restatement of valid arguments made by opposing side

Question 15

Conclusion

Answer 15

restatement of major arguements

Question 16

Refutations (aka rebuttal)

Answer 16

explanation of why your claim is more valid than the counterclaim

Question 17

What is MLA?

Answer 17

a set of standards for writing and documentation used by writers to find and evaluate information, alert their audience to the trustworthiness of their findings through citation, and shape the expression of their ideas in conversation with others.

Question 18

What is the difference between a phrase and a clause?

Answer 18

A clause contains a subject, and a verb and is a complete thought. A phrase doesn’t contain all three.

Question 19

What is a complex sentence?

Answer 19

A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Question 20

What are the components of a writer’s voice?

Answer 20

tone
diction
syntax
imagery

Question 21

Tone

Answer 21

a writer’s (or speakers) attitude toward a subjects, character, or audience

Question 22

Diction

Answer 22

a writer’s word choices, which convey voice and tone

Question 23

Syntax

Answer 23

the arrangement of words and the order of grammatical elements in sentences

Question 24

Imagery

Answer 24

language used to appeal to the five senses