Teaching Writing

Question 1

Rhetorical Situation

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Rubric

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Thesis Statement

Answer 3

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.”

Question 4

Logos

Answer 4

rhetorical appeal focused on the logic a speaker is building

Question 5

storyboard

Answer 5

a sequence of images or descriptions that represent the plot of a narrative

Question 6

Clarity/word choice

Answer 6

use of vocabulary or other organizational choices to ensure the intended meaning comes through

Question 7

Graphic organizer

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Writing: Conventional stage

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Writing process

Answer 9

The steps a writer goes through to compose a finished, polished text.

Example: Prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing

Question 10

Transitional words

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Characterization

Answer 11

the details an author uses to build a character (appearance, personality, thoughts, actions)

Question 12

Chronological order

Answer 12

An organizational approach that follows an orderly progression of events based in time.

Question 13

Claim (argumentation)

Answer 13

the position being taken in the argument; the thesis

Question 14

Kairos

Answer 14

an appeal to the timeliness of or the context in which the argument is given

Example: “for a limited time only”

Question 15

Dialogue

Answer 15

conversation between two or more characters

Question 16

Plot

Answer 16

The events included in a story (may or may not be sequential)

Question 17

Figurative language

Answer 17

A word or phrase that does not have its normal everyday, literal meaning

Example: hyperbole: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!

Question 18

Multimodal text

Answer 18

a text featuring two or more modes of communication, such as written language, spoken language, visuals, etc.

Question 19

Self-revision

Answer 19

a student revises their own work

Question 20

Jargon

Answer 20

unique words or expressions that are used in a particular profession or setting

Question 21

Evidence (argumentative writing)

Answer 21

factual information that supports the speaker’s claim(s) in argumentation

Question 22

Conflict (narrative)

Answer 22

the challenge(s) the main character(s) need to overcome to achieve their goal

Question 23

Writing: Emergent stage

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Revising

Answer 24

Reviewing the draft and making necessary corrections for sentence usage, organization, coherence, and audience

Question 25

Problem and solution

Answer 25

An organizational approach where the author presents a problem and possible solution

Question 26

Logical fallacy

Answer 26

an error in reasoning that undermines an argument

Example: a Slippery Slope fallacy

Question 27

Recursive

Answer 27

repeated application of a process, such as writing

Question 28

Writing feedback

Answer 28

comments and assessments given to students to improve their writing

Question 29

Publishing

Answer 29

The final step in the writing process where the writer ensures the neatness and understanding of the final product

Question 30

Argumentative writing

Answer 30

writing meant to persuade the reader to agree with the conclusions of the author

Question 31

Prewriting

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Writing: Preconventional stage

Answer 32

First stage of writing (ages 2-5). Child is aware that drawings and prints have specific meaning.

Question 33

Rhetorical devices

Answer 33

a technique a writer or speaker uses to persuade a reader or listener

Example: alliteration, repetition, anaphora, analogy, emotional language, etc.

Question 34

Counterargument

Answer 34

expresses an opposing point of view

Question 35

Drafting

Answer 35

The second step in the writing process where the writer brings together similar ideas and organizes them into paragraphs

Question 36

Narrative text

Answer 36

Fictional stories, plays, poems. Usually contains some element of plot or conflict.

Example: Peter Pan, Romeo and Juliet

Question 37

Pathos

Answer 37

rhetorical appeal focused on the emotions a speaker is evoking

Question 38

Resolution (narrative)

Answer 38

the final part of the story where conflicts are resolved, loose ends are tied up, and the outcome of the main events is revealed

Question 39

Peer review

Answer 39

evaluation of work by others in the same field

Example: students reviewing each other’s essays for feedback

Question 40

Sub-claim

Answer 40

argumentative claim that is subordinate to the main claim; a main point that develops the overall argument

Question 41

SPACE (rhetorical situation)

Answer 41

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?

Question 42

Mentor text

Answer 42

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.

Question 43

Modeling

Answer 43

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.

Question 44

Writing: Proficient stage

Answer 44

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

Question 45

Rhetorical appeal

Answer 45

arguments using people’s desire to elevate their status

Example: a commercial suggesting that buying a certain smartphone will make the buyer popular

Question 46

Writing: transitional stage

Answer 46

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

Question 47

Cause and effect

Answer 47

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.

Question 48

Plot diagram

Answer 48

a graphic representation of the plot of a story

Example: a plot triangle that outlines exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution

Question 49

Ethos

Answer 49

rhetorical appeal focused on the speaker’s credibility and relatability

Question 50

Informative/ explanatory writing

Answer 50

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

Question 51

Point of view

Answer 51

Term definition.
the style of narration used to tell a story

Example: first person, third person limited, third person omniscient

Question 52

Hook (in writing)

Answer 52

a writing choice that grabs the audience’s attention in an introductory paragraph

Question 53

editing

Answer 53

Reviewing the draft for corrections in grammar, mechanics, and spelling

Question 54

Writing conference

Answer 54

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

Question 55

Tone (ELA)

Answer 55

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