Writing Terminology
- 2. ESSAY A piece of writing that gives your thoughts (commentary) about a subject.
- 3. An essay consists of 4 parts: Introduction Two body paragraphs Concluding paragraph
- 4. INTRODUCTION (INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH) The first paragraph in an essay Includes the thesis Thesis is most often at the end.
- 5. BODY PARAGRAPH A middle paragraph in an essay Develops a point that supports thesis
- 6. CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH Last paragraph in essay Sums up, reflects on previous comments, gives more commentary or personal statement regarding subject
- 7. CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH DOES NOT: Include concrete detail Repeat key words from paper (especially from thesis or introduction) However… It provides a finished feeling to essay
- 8. THESIS Sentence with subject & opinion (commentary) Located at the end of introductory paragraph
- 9. PRE-WRITING The process of getting your concrete details on paper before you organize the essay into paragraphs
- 10. PRE-WRITING INCLUDES: Bubble Clusters Spider Diagrams Outlines Line Clustering Columns
- 11. CONCRETE DETAILS (CD) Specific details that form the backbone or core of your body paragraphs
- 12. SYNONYMS FOR CONCRETE DETAILS (CD) Facts Specifics Examples Ilustrations Support Evidence
- 14. COMMENTARY (CM) Your opinion or comment about something: not concrete detail.
- 15. SYNONYMS FOR COMMENTARY (CM) Opinion Insight Analysis Interpretation Personal Response Feelings
- 17. TOPIC SENTENCE First sentence in a body paragraph Must have a subject & opinion (cm) for the paragraph It does the same thing for a body paragraph that the thesis does for the whole essay
- 18. CONCLUDING SENTENCE Last sentence in a body paragraph It is all commentary (cm) Does not repeat key words Gives finished feeling to paragraph
- 19. SHAPING THE ESSAY Step completed after pre-writing & before the first draft Functions as an outline for thesis, topic sentences, concrete details, & commentary
- 20. FIRST DRAFT The first version of your essay (rough draft)
- 21. FINAL DRAFT The final version of your essay
- 22. PEER RESPONSE Written responses & reactions to a partner’s paper
- 23. CHUNK The smallest unified group of thoughts that you can write & contains: One sentence of CD Two sentences of CM
- 24. WEAVING Blending concrete details & commentary in a body paragraph (comes after format mastery)
- 25. RATIO The ratio of 1 part concrete detail (CD) to 2+ parts commentary (CM) 1 CD : 2+ CM
- 26. WORD COUNTS The minimum length per paragraph to earn a “C.”
- 27. CONFUSED? Never fear Mrs. Laurence is here! (rhyming couplet)