| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| argument | A position or claim supported by reasoning and evidence presented to persuade an audience. |
| body paragraphs | The paragraphs in an essay that develop and support the thesis through claims, evidence, and analysis. |
| 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. |
| line of reasoning | The logical progression and connection of claims, evidence, and explanations that support an argument's main point. |
| reasoning | The logical thinking and explanations used to support and defend a thesis or claim. |
| thesis | The main, overarching claim a writer is seeking to defend or prove using reasoning supported by evidence. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| clause | A group of words containing a subject and predicate that functions as part of a sentence. |
| coherence | The quality of being logically connected and easy to follow, achieved through clear relationships among sentences, paragraphs, or sections. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| adjectives | Descriptive words that modify nouns and convey perspective or attitude toward the things they describe. |
| adverbs | Descriptive words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs and convey perspective or attitude toward the actions or qualities they describe. |
| connotative meaning | The emotional, cultural, or associative meaning of a word beyond its literal definition, shaped by context and perspective. |
| denotative meaning | The literal, dictionary definition of a word; its primary, objective meaning without emotional or cultural associations. |
| modifiers | Words, phrases, or clauses that limit, restrict, or specify the meaning of other words in a sentence. |
| perspective | The particular way a source views or understands a subject based on their background, interests, and expertise. |
| precise word choice | The careful selection of specific, exact words to communicate meaning clearly and effectively. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| coherence | The quality of being logically connected and easy to follow, achieved through clear relationships among sentences, paragraphs, or sections. |
| evidence | Supporting details, examples, and information used to prove or defend a thesis. |
| line of reasoning | The logical progression and connection of claims, evidence, and explanations that support an argument's main point. |
| parallel structure | The repetition of grammatical patterns or sentence structures to show relationships between ideas and create emphasis. |
| pronoun references | The use of pronouns to refer back to previously mentioned nouns, creating connections between ideas and maintaining coherence. |
| repetition | The deliberate reuse of words or phrases to create emphasis and indicate relationships between ideas in a text. |
| synonyms | Words with similar meanings used to reinforce ideas and show connections between related concepts in a text. |
| transitional elements | Words, phrases, clauses, sentences, or paragraphs that connect ideas and show relationships between sentences, paragraphs, or sections in a text. |