Reading Comprehension Flashcards
What are two major rhetorical types?
argumentation and exposition
what is the author’s main purpose in argumentation?
what are types of argumentation?
1) present reasons and evidence in support of a position
2) prescriptive, evaluative, causal, interpretive
prescriptive argumentation
advocate the adoption or rejections of policies, procedures or laws
argue for the acceptance of ethical viewpoints
evaluative argumentation
argue that something is good or bad, desirable or undesirable, without advocating any particular policy or course of action
causal argumentation
argue for or against an account of the causes, reason, or motivation underlying an event, condition, decision/outcome or an account of influences underlying or artistic style or movement
offer reasons for or against another author’s scientific, historical and social hypothesis
interpretative argumentation
arguing for or against an account of the meaning, importance, or implications of a set of observation, a theory, an artistic or literary work, or a historical event
what is the author’s main purpose in exposition?
what are types of exposition?
1) presenting established facts, conveying other information, or reporting someone else’s views, actions or research finding
2) narrative, reporting, descriptive, informative with no further function
narrative
reporting
report or describe the sequences of events.
telling the views or findings of another author, researcher, theorist, or critic or reporting research findings, artistic accomplishments, innovations
descriptive
describing the appearance, nature or characteristics of something - for example, a place, society, artistic work, device, invention
informative with no further function
informing readers of established scientific, historical or other facts without arguing for any particular viewpoint regarding them
What does qualify mean in this context?
It qualifies a claim made earlier in the passage about the impact of banks on the American economy in the early 19th century
make a claim less absolute or to add reservations to that claim (by introducing an exception scenario)
What are some “Concession” signal words?
What is the function of “Concession” signal words?
Even though, Although, Though, Whereas, While, Despite, While it is true that
to concede/acknowledge an opposing point but the author doesn’t necessarily change his mind
What are some “Contrast” signal words”?
What is the function of “Contrast” signal words”?
However, But, Yet, Nevertheless, Even so
to change the direction or disputing an earlier point.
As for, Regarding, In reference to
Focus attention
Furthermore, moreover, in addition, as well as,
add to previous points
On one hand /On the other hand; While; Rather; Instead; In contrast; Alternatively
Provide contrast
Granted, It is true that, certainly, admittedly, despite, although
provide conceding contrast (author unwillingly agrees)
In any event, in any case
Dismiss previous points
Likewise, In the same way
Point out the similarity
but, however, even so, all the same, still, that said, nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, otherwise, despite
provide emphatic contrast (author assert own position)
Apparently; At least; Can, Could, May, Might, Should; Possibly; Likely
hedge or soften position
In other words; That is; Namely, So to speak
Restate for clarity
After all, must, Have to, Always, never ,etc.
strengthen the position
demonstrate in answer choice meaning
prove
