| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| claim | A statement or assertion that a writer makes and must support with evidence and reasoning in an argument. |
| commentary | Explanatory or interpretive statements that clarify the significance of evidence and connect it to the argument's main point. |
| evidence | Supporting details, examples, and information used to prove or defend a thesis. |
| logical relationship | A clear, reasoned connection between evidence and the claim it supports. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| flaws in reasoning | Errors or weaknesses in the logical structure or evidence of an argument that undermine its validity. |
| illogical | Lacking sound reasoning or logical consistency; not following valid principles of logic. |
| line of reasoning | The logical progression and connection of claims, evidence, and explanations that support an argument's main point. |
| specious | Appearing to be true or valid on the surface but actually false or misleading; deceptively plausible. |
| thesis | The main, overarching claim a writer is seeking to defend or prove using reasoning supported by evidence. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| commentary | Explanatory or interpretive statements that clarify the significance of evidence and connect it to the argument's main point. |
| integrate | To smoothly incorporate source material into a writer's own text so that it flows naturally and connects clearly to the writer's reasoning. |
| integration | The act of incorporating others' arguments and evidence into one's own argument in a meaningful and connected way. |
| line of reasoning | The logical progression and connection of claims, evidence, and explanations that support an argument's main point. |
| source material | Information, evidence, or ideas obtained from external sources such as texts, articles, or research that writers incorporate into their arguments. |
| synthesis | The process of combining and integrating multiple sources, arguments, and ideas into a cohesive argument that reflects consideration and explanation of others' perspectives. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| attribution | The act of crediting or acknowledging the original source or creator of words, ideas, images, texts, or other intellectual property. |
| citation | A formal reference to a source that provides specific information about where borrowed material comes from, typically including author, title, publication details, and date. |
| intellectual property | Original creations of the mind, including words, ideas, images, texts, and other works that are owned by and credited to their creator. |
| reference | An acknowledgment or mention of a source from which information, ideas, or material have been drawn. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| argument | A position or claim supported by reasoning and evidence presented to persuade an audience. |
| cause | An event, action, or condition that produces an effect or consequence. |
| cause-effect | A rhetorical method of developing ideas by presenting a cause and its effects or consequences, or multiple causes leading to an effect. |
| claim | A statement or assertion that a writer makes and must support with evidence and reasoning in an argument. |
| commentary | Explanatory or interpretive statements that clarify the significance of evidence and connect it to the argument's main point. |
| comparison-contrast | A method of development that examines similarities (comparison) and differences (contrast) between two or more subjects. |
| consequence | The results or outcomes that follow from a cause or action. |
| definition | A method of development that explains the meaning of a term or concept to clarify ideas in a text. |
| description | A method of development that uses sensory details and vivid language to create a picture of a person, place, thing, or idea. |
| detail | Specific pieces of information that provide support, clarification, or evidence for a claim. |
| effect | The results or consequences that are produced by a cause. |
| evidence | Supporting details, examples, and information used to prove or defend a thesis. |
| insight | Deep understanding or meaningful observations about the significance of experiences that writers convey through narration. |
| line of reasoning | The logical progression and connection of claims, evidence, and explanations that support an argument's main point. |
| methods of development | Common approaches writers use to develop and organize the reasoning of their arguments. |
| narration | A method of development that tells a story or recounts events in sequence to develop ideas in a text. |
| reasoning | The logical thinking and explanations used to support and defend a thesis or claim. |
| reflection | A writer's thoughts and analysis about the meaning or importance of experiences shared in a narrative. |
| relevance | The degree to which evidence directly connects to and supports the line of reasoning. |
| sequence of paragraphs | The order and arrangement of paragraphs in a text that demonstrates how the author develops and supports their argument. |
| significance | The importance or meaning of evidence in relation to the argument being made. |