Writer's Inc (Simple Cards #1)

Question 1

thesis statement

Answer 1

the sentence that states the main idea of a writing assignment and helps control the ideas within the text

Question 2

chronological order (time)

Answer 2

a method of organization that is effective for sharing personal narratives, summarizing steps, and explaining events in the order in which they occurred

Question 3

order of location (spatial)

Answer 3

a method of organization that is useful for many types of descriptions; details can be described from left to right, from right to left, from top to bottom, from edge to center, and so on

Question 4

illustration (deductive)

Answer 4

a method of organization in which you first state a general idea (thesis statement) and follow with specific reasons, examples, and facts

Question 5

climax (inductive)

Answer 5

a method of organization in which you present specific details followed by a general statement or a conclusion

Question 6

compare-contrast

Answer 6

a method of organization in which you show how one topic is different from and similar to another topic

Question 7

cause-effect

Answer 7

a method of organization that helps you make connections between a result and the events that came before it; usually, you begin with the cause of something, and then you discuss a number of specific effects

Question 8

problem-solution

Answer 8

a method of organization in which you state a problem and explore possible solutions

Question 9

classification

Answer 9

a method of organization that can be used to explain a term or a concept (e.g. a machine, a theory, a game, etc.); begin by placing the topic in the appropriate class, and then provide details that show how your subject is different from and similar to others in the same class

Question 10

explain

Answer 10

(developing the body) provide important facts, details, and examples

Question 11

narrate

Answer 11

(developing the body) share a brief story (anecdote) or re-create an experience to illustrate or clarify an idea

Question 12

describe

Answer 12

(developing the body) tell how someone appears or how something works

Question 13

summarize

Answer 13

(developing the body) present only the most important ideas

Question 14

define

Answer 14

(developing the body) identify or clarify the meaning of a specific term or idea

Question 15

argue

Answer 15

(developing the body) use logic and evidence to prove something is true

Question 16

compare

Answer 16

(developing the body) show how two things are alike or different

Question 17

analyze

Answer 17

(developing the body) examine the parts of something to better understand the whole

Question 18

reflect

Answer 18

(developing the body) express your thoughts or feelings about something

Question 19

three levels of detail

Answer 19

Level 1: Controlling sentences name the topic.
Level 2: Clarifying sentences support the main point.
Level 3: Completing sentences add details to complete the point.

Question 20

badlands

Answer 20

in reference to writing, a boring text filled with uninspiring ideas

Question 21

jargon

Answer 21

special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand

Question 22

Peter Elbow’s four types of reactions

Answer 22

according to Peter Elbow, there are four types of reactions that people in a writing group may have to a piece of writing; they are: pointing, summarizing, telling, showing

Question 23

pointing

Answer 23

(Peter Elbow’s four types of reactions) a reaction in which a group member “points out” words, phrases, or ideas that impress him or her

Question 24

summarizing

Answer 24

(Peter Elbow’s four types of reactions) a reader’s general reaction to the writing–a list of main ideas or a single sentence that sums up the work

Question 25

telling

Answer 25

(Peter Elbow’s four types of reactions) readers describe what happens in a piece of writing [e.g., first this happens, then that happens, later this happens, etc.]

Question 26

showing

Answer 26

(Peter Elbow’s four types of reactions) readers express feelings about the piece, often using metaphors [e.g. your writing has a neat, tailored quality]

Question 27

fragment

Answer 27

A group of words used as a sentence; it is not a sentence, however, because it lacks a subject, a verb, or some other essential part. Because of the missing part, the thought is incomplete.

Question 28

comma splice

Answer 28

Something that results when two independent clauses are connected with only a comma; the comma is not enough. A period, semicolon, or a conjunction is needed.

Question 29

rambling sentence

Answer 29

a sentence that seems to go on and on in a monotonous fashion (often because of too many and’s)

Question 30

run-on sentence

Answer 30

two or more sentences joined without adequate punctuation or a connecting word

Question 31

incomplete comparison

Answer 31

a sentence that results from leaving out a word or words that are necessary to show exactly what is being compared to what

Question 32

ambiguous wording

Answer 32

wording that is unclear because it has two or more meanings

Question 33

indefinite reference

Answer 33

a problem caused by careless use of pronouns; as a result, readers are not sure who or what the pronoun is referring to

Question 34

misplaced modifiers

Answer 34

modifiers that have been placed incorrectly; therefore, the meaning of the sentence is not clear

Question 35

dangling modifiers

Answer 35

modifiers that appear to modify the wrong word or a word that isn’t in the sentence.

Question 36

deadwood

Answer 36

wording that fills up lots of space but does not add anything important or new to the overall meaning

Question 37

flowery language

Answer 37

writing that uses longer words or more numerous amounts of words than needed; often, it is writing that contains too many adjectives or adverbs

Question 38

trite expression

Answer 38

an expression that is overused and stale; as a result, it sounds neither sincere nor natural

Question 39

trite

Answer 39

(of a remark, opinion, or idea) overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness

Question 40

euphemism

Answer 40

a word or phrase that is substituted for another because it is considered a less offensive way of saying something

Question 41

wordiness

Answer 41

something that occurs when extra words are used in a sentence, such as when a word, phrase, or synonym is repeated unnecessarily

Question 42

cliche

Answer 42

an overused word or phrase that springs quickly to mind but just as quickly bores the user and the audience; it gives the reader nothing new or original to think about

Question 43

nonstandard language

Answer 43

language that is often acceptable in everyday conversation, but not in formal writing

Question 44

double negative

Answer 44

the improper use of two negative words to perform the same function in a sentence (e.g. Wrong: I haven’t got no money. Right: I haven’t got any money.)

Question 45

shifts in construction

Answer 45

a change in the structure or style of a sentence midway through the sentence (e.g. such as from singular to plural, from active to passive voice, and from one tense to another)

Question 46

unparallel construction

Answer 46

a sentence where the kind of words or phrases being used changes in the middle of a sentence (e.g. In my hometown, folks pass the time shooting pool, pitching horseshoes, and at softball games. [a switch from -ing words to the prepositional phrase ‘at softball games’])

Question 47

expository paragraph

Answer 47

a paragraph that presents facts, gives directions, defines terms, and that generally is designed to present information in an organized format

Question 48

descriptive paragraph

Answer 48

a paragraph that presents a single clear picture of a person, place, thing, or idea; it should contain plenty of sensory details–specific sights, sounds, and smells

Question 49

narrative paragraph

Answer 49

a paragraph that tells a story and that should include details that answer the ‘Who? What? When? Where? Why?’

Question 50

persuasive paragraph

Answer 50

a paragraph that expresses an opinion and tries to convince the reader that the opinion is valid; it should contain supporting points that help solidify your argument