Writer's Inc (Simple Cards #1) Flashcards
thesis statement
the sentence that states the main idea of a writing assignment and helps control the ideas within the text
chronological order (time)
a method of organization that is effective for sharing personal narratives, summarizing steps, and explaining events in the order in which they occurred
order of location (spatial)
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
illustration (deductive)
a method of organization in which you first state a general idea (thesis statement) and follow with specific reasons, examples, and facts
climax (inductive)
a method of organization in which you present specific details followed by a general statement or a conclusion
compare-contrast
a method of organization in which you show how one topic is different from and similar to another topic
cause-effect
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
problem-solution
a method of organization in which you state a problem and explore possible solutions
classification
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
explain
(developing the body) provide important facts, details, and examples
narrate
(developing the body) share a brief story (anecdote) or re-create an experience to illustrate or clarify an idea
describe
(developing the body) tell how someone appears or how something works
summarize
(developing the body) present only the most important ideas
define
(developing the body) identify or clarify the meaning of a specific term or idea
argue
(developing the body) use logic and evidence to prove something is true
compare
(developing the body) show how two things are alike or different
analyze
(developing the body) examine the parts of something to better understand the whole
reflect
(developing the body) express your thoughts or feelings about something
three levels of detail
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.
badlands
in reference to writing, a boring text filled with uninspiring ideas
jargon
special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand
Peter Elbow’s four types of reactions
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
pointing
(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
summarizing
(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
telling
(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.]
showing
(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]
fragment
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.
comma splice
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.
rambling sentence
a sentence that seems to go on and on in a monotonous fashion (often because of too many and’s)
run-on sentence
two or more sentences joined without adequate punctuation or a connecting word
incomplete comparison
a sentence that results from leaving out a word or words that are necessary to show exactly what is being compared to what
ambiguous wording
wording that is unclear because it has two or more meanings
indefinite reference
a problem caused by careless use of pronouns; as a result, readers are not sure who or what the pronoun is referring to
misplaced modifiers
modifiers that have been placed incorrectly; therefore, the meaning of the sentence is not clear
dangling modifiers
modifiers that appear to modify the wrong word or a word that isn’t in the sentence.
deadwood
wording that fills up lots of space but does not add anything important or new to the overall meaning
flowery language
writing that uses longer words or more numerous amounts of words than needed; often, it is writing that contains too many adjectives or adverbs
trite expression
an expression that is overused and stale; as a result, it sounds neither sincere nor natural
trite
(of a remark, opinion, or idea) overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness
euphemism
a word or phrase that is substituted for another because it is considered a less offensive way of saying something
wordiness
something that occurs when extra words are used in a sentence, such as when a word, phrase, or synonym is repeated unnecessarily
cliche
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
nonstandard language
language that is often acceptable in everyday conversation, but not in formal writing
double negative
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.)
shifts in construction
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)
unparallel construction
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’])
expository paragraph
a paragraph that presents facts, gives directions, defines terms, and that generally is designed to present information in an organized format
descriptive paragraph
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
narrative paragraph
a paragraph that tells a story and that should include details that answer the ‘Who? What? When? Where? Why?’
persuasive paragraph
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
