College Prep Writing Skills Flashcards
Grade 8 · English · Flashcards
Master the vocabulary and concepts behind academic essay writing and citation.
Flashcards
- Thesis statement
- A specific, arguable claim at the end of the intro paragraph that the whole essay supports. Not a fact; not a question.
- Body paragraph structure (TEAL)
- Topic sentence → Evidence → Analysis → Link (transition). Each body paragraph follows this sequence.
- Topic sentence
- First sentence of a body paragraph; states the paragraph's main idea and connects it to the thesis.
- Evidence
- Quotations, data, statistics, or examples that support your claim. Must always be followed by analysis.
- Analysis
- Your own sentences explaining how and why the evidence proves your thesis. The most important part of any paragraph.
- Transition
- A word, phrase, or sentence that connects ideas within or between paragraphs (e.g., furthermore, however, in contrast).
- Revision
- Re-examining and improving content, argument strength, organization, and clarity. Done before proofreading.
- Proofreading
- Final check for surface errors: spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting. Done after revision.
- MLA format
- Citation style for humanities; in-text citation: (Last Name Page#). Ends with a Works Cited page listing all sources.
- Plagiarism
- Presenting another person's words or ideas as your own without attribution. Avoid by citing all sources.
- Academic register
- Formal writing style: no contractions, no slang, no first-person opinion ('I think'). Uses precise, evidence-based language.
- Counterargument
- An opposing viewpoint addressed and then refuted in a persuasive essay to strengthen the writer's credibility.
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