Teaching Writing Flashcards
Rhetorical Situation
The specific elements of the situation in which an argument is presented, like speaker, purpose, audience, and context. These elements impact the language choices an author makes when constructing their argument.
Example:
The basic rhetorical situation of MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech:
Speaker: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Purpose: To end economic and employment inequalities for African Americans
Audience: March on Washington participants and millions across the nation
Context: The Civil Rights Movement
Rubric
assessment tool that outlines specific criteria and performance levels for evaluating student work, providing clear guidelines and standards for both instructors and students to ensure consistent and objective grading
Thesis Statement
a statement included in the introduction of a paper which makes a specific claim and provides a preview as to what will follow in the paper
Example: A science student writes the following thesis statement in response to the question, “Is global warming a problem?” “Environmentalists agree that global climate change is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately.”
Logos
rhetorical appeal focused on the logic a speaker is building
storyboard
a sequence of images or descriptions that represent the plot of a narrative
Clarity/word choice
use of vocabulary or other organizational choices to ensure the intended meaning comes through
Graphic organizer
a visual display of the relationships between facts and ideas
Example: Graphic organizers, such as story maps, timelines, venn diagrams and K-W-L charts, help students organize information.
Writing: Conventional stage
Fourth stage of writing (ages 6-7). Demonstrates more control over many aspects of the writing process.
Example: Jane lost her cat named Tabby and it made her sad. She and her friends made sines with Tabby’s pitcher. One of her friends found Tabby and Jane was so happy
Writing process
The steps a writer goes through to compose a finished, polished text.
Example: Prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing
Transitional words
Transition words that locate relationships and enhance the analysis of informational text
Example: Because of the fire in the building, the class had to meet elsewhere.
Characterization
the details an author uses to build a character (appearance, personality, thoughts, actions)
Chronological order
An organizational approach that follows an orderly progression of events based in time.
Claim (argumentation)
the position being taken in the argument; the thesis
Kairos
an appeal to the timeliness of or the context in which the argument is given
Example: “for a limited time only”
Dialogue
conversation between two or more characters
Plot
The events included in a story (may or may not be sequential)
Figurative language
A word or phrase that does not have its normal everyday, literal meaning
Example: hyperbole: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!
Multimodal text
a text featuring two or more modes of communication, such as written language, spoken language, visuals, etc.
Self-revision
a student revises their own work
Jargon
unique words or expressions that are used in a particular profession or setting
Evidence (argumentative writing)
factual information that supports the speaker’s claim(s) in argumentation
Conflict (narrative)
the challenge(s) the main character(s) need to overcome to achieve their goal
Writing: Emergent stage
Second stage of writing (ages 4-5). Understands that what is said (speech) can be written and that print moves from left to right rather than randomly on a page
Revising
Reviewing the draft and making necessary corrections for sentence usage, organization, coherence, and audience
Problem and solution
An organizational approach where the author presents a problem and possible solution
Logical fallacy
an error in reasoning that undermines an argument
Example: a Slippery Slope fallacy
Recursive
repeated application of a process, such as writing
Writing feedback
comments and assessments given to students to improve their writing
Publishing
The final step in the writing process where the writer ensures the neatness and understanding of the final product
Argumentative writing
writing meant to persuade the reader to agree with the conclusions of the author
Prewriting
The first step in the writing process when the writer decides on a central idea/topic for writing and formulates a thesis or main idea statement
Writing: Preconventional stage
First stage of writing (ages 2-5). Child is aware that drawings and prints have specific meaning.
Rhetorical devices
a technique a writer or speaker uses to persuade a reader or listener
Example: alliteration, repetition, anaphora, analogy, emotional language, etc.
Counterargument
expresses an opposing point of view
Drafting
The second step in the writing process where the writer brings together similar ideas and organizes them into paragraphs
Narrative text
Fictional stories, plays, poems. Usually contains some element of plot or conflict.
Example: Peter Pan, Romeo and Juliet
Pathos
rhetorical appeal focused on the emotions a speaker is evoking
Resolution (narrative)
the final part of the story where conflicts are resolved, loose ends are tied up, and the outcome of the main events is revealed
Peer review
evaluation of work by others in the same field
Example: students reviewing each other’s essays for feedback
Sub-claim
argumentative claim that is subordinate to the main claim; a main point that develops the overall argument
SPACE (rhetorical situation)
Speaker: Who wrote this, and what do we know about them?
Purpose: What does the speaker want their audience to do or believe after engaging with the text?
Audience: Who received this text, and what do we know about them?
Context: What was happening in the world when this text was published?
Exigence: What motivated the speaker to write this argument when they did?
Mentor text
Books or other pieces of literature that are revisited throughout the school year for different purposes in literacy instruction
Example: Due to its unique narrative and abundance of figurative language, Owl Moon by Jane Yolen is a popular mentor text to use in a language arts classroom.
Modeling
an instructional strategy in which the teacher demonstrates a concept or skill and students learn by observing
Example: When a teacher encounters a difficult word in a text, she thinks aloud to model how she can use the context clues to discover the meaning.
Writing: Proficient stage
Fifth stage of writing (ages 7-9). Understands and is able to write for various purposes and audiences
Example: The proficient writer can easy engage and work with the following types of writing: Lists Invitations Letters/emails Narratives Descriptions Expository
Rhetorical appeal
arguments using people’s desire to elevate their status
Example: a commercial suggesting that buying a certain smartphone will make the buyer popular
Writing: transitional stage
Third stage of writing (ages 5-6). Writes a single letter (often the beginning consonant of the word) to represent an entire word or syllable; begins to understand and use basic punctuation
Cause and effect
a writing method in which the author explains reasons why something happened or the effects of something that has happened
Example: A politician’s speech in which all of the bad actions of an opponent are listed to argue that the politician should be elected instead.
Plot diagram
a graphic representation of the plot of a story
Example: a plot triangle that outlines exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution
Ethos
rhetorical appeal focused on the speaker’s credibility and relatability
Informative/ explanatory writing
a writing style which demonstrates comprehension of a topic or process
Example: In a science class, students write about a procedure that they performed and the results that they achieved
Point of view
the style of narration used to tell a story
Example: first person, third person limited, third person omniscient
Hook (in writing)
a writing choice that grabs the audience’s attention in an introductory paragraph
editing
Reviewing the draft for corrections in grammar, mechanics, and spelling
Writing conference
an individual meeting with students to discuss their drafts to help them revise their work before submitting a final product, and to help the teacher assess student understanding and modify instruction as needed
Tone (ELA)
The author’s attitude or feelings toward the subject, characters, or audience, conveyed through their choice of words, style, and perspective. It sets the emotional atmosphere of the text, influencing how readers interpret and feel about the story.
Example: serious, humorous, sarcastic, hopeful, or any emotion that shapes the reader’s experience
