Common Terminology For Middle School Writers

Writing that persuades is persuasive because it aims to convince the reader or audience to adopt a certain viewpoint or take a specific action. It uses persuasive techniques such as logical reasoning, emotional appeals, and strong evidence to support its argument. The goal of persuasive writing is to influence the reader's beliefs or behavior by presenting a compelling case and convincing them of the writer's perspective.

The correct answer is "exposition." In a narrative, the exposition refers to the part of the plot where the author introduces the setting, background, and characters. It provides essential information to the reader, setting the stage for the events that will unfold in the story. "Expository" is an adjective form of the word "exposition," which can also be used to describe this part of the plot. "The exposition" is another way of referring to this specific element of the narrative structure.

Some types of this part of the plot can be analyzed. Teachers may ask you to figure out if the problem is character vs. character, character vs. nature, character vs. self, character vs. society, or character vs. technology.

The rising action refers to the part of the plot that builds up the story and leads to the climax. It includes a series of events that create tension, suspense, and develop the conflict. These events are usually filled with anticipation and keep the audience engaged. The rising action is crucial in setting the stage for the climax and heightening the overall dramatic effect of the story.

The climax is the most exciting part of the story and the turning point. It is the moment when the conflict reaches its peak and the outcome becomes clear. It is the point in the plot where all the tension and suspense built up throughout the story is resolved.

The falling action refers to the part of the plot after the climax where the tension of conflict eases. It is the phase where the story starts to wind down and loose ends are tied up. This section usually includes the consequences or resolution of the climax and leads to the conclusion of the story.

The resolution is the part of the plot that reveals the outcome or conclusion of the story. It typically shows how the conflict is resolved or solved. This is where loose ends are tied up, and the reader or viewer gains a sense of closure. The resolution provides a final understanding of the events and their significance, leaving the audience with a sense of satisfaction or closure.

The correct answer is "audience" or "audience members". The term "audience" refers to the group or person who will read, view, or hear a piece of writing. It is important for writers to consider their audience in order to effectively communicate their message and tailor their writing style and content to suit their intended readers or viewers. "Audiance" seems to be a misspelling of "audience".

The hook is the attention grabbing beginning of a piece of writing. It is designed to captivate the reader's interest and make them want to continue reading. A well-crafted hook can be a compelling statement, a thought-provoking question, or a vivid description that immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the piece.

The topic sentence is the sentence that contains the main idea of a single paragraph. It introduces the topic and provides a clear focus for the rest of the paragraph. It often appears at the beginning of the paragraph and helps the reader understand what the paragraph will be about.

The clincher sentence, also known as the clincher, is the concluding sentence of a single paragraph. It serves to summarize the main point or argument of the paragraph and leave a lasting impression on the reader. The clincher sentence is often used to reinforce the overall message or to provide a final thought or insight. It helps to tie together the ideas presented in the paragraph and transition smoothly to the next paragraph or section of the text.

Transitions are words or phrases used to link one paragraph to another paragraph or one sentence to another sentence. They help to create coherence and flow in writing by showing the relationships between ideas and guiding the reader through the text. Transitions can signal addition, contrast, comparison, cause and effect, and many other relationships between ideas. They are essential for creating a well-structured and cohesive piece of writing.

The correct answer is "introduction". In a multi-paragraph piece, the first paragraph is typically called the introduction. It serves to introduce the topic and provide background information. It often includes the thesis statement, which is the main argument or point of the entire piece. "Introductory" and "intro" are both adjectives that can be used to describe the introduction paragraph.

A body paragraph is one of the paragraphs in a multi-paragraph piece, between the introduction and the conclusion. It contains the main ideas, arguments, and supporting evidence that develop and support the thesis statement or main claim of the piece. The body paragraphs provide the detailed analysis and explanation of the topic, presenting a logical progression of ideas and evidence. They are crucial for developing the central argument and providing sufficient information and examples to convince the reader of the writer's viewpoint.

The correct answer is "conclusion" or "concluding". In a multi-paragraph piece, the conclusion paragraph is the final paragraph that serves the purpose of wrapping up the main points discussed in the piece and providing a sense of closure. It often restates the thesis or main argument, summarizes the key points, and offers a final thought or reflection. By intentionally drawing the piece to a close, the conclusion paragraph helps to leave a lasting impression on the reader and solidify the main ideas presented throughout the piece.

The main idea of a piece, usually written in a single sentence, is called the thesis. It acts as a guiding point for the rest of the paper, helping to organize the other sentences and paragraphs. Typically, the thesis is found in the introduction paragraph of a piece.

The correct answer is descriptive because descriptive writing is a type of writing that vividly portrays a person, place, object, or event using sensory details. It aims to create a clear and vivid image in the reader's mind by providing specific details and descriptions. This type of writing focuses on providing a detailed and accurate account of something, rather than persuading or explaining.

The correct answer is figurative language because it encompasses literary devices that are not meant to be taken literally, such as metaphors, similes, and personification. Figurative language is used to add depth and meaning to writing by creating vivid imagery and evoking emotions. Unlike facts or opinions, figurative language relies on imaginative comparisons and associations to convey a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Plagiarism refers to the act of using someone else's work, whether it be words, ideas, or images, and presenting it as one's own. It involves copying or imitating another person's work without giving proper credit or acknowledgment. Plagiarism is considered unethical and is a serious offense in academic and professional settings.

Expository writing is a type of writing that aims to inform, explain, or describe a topic in a clear and concise manner. It presents facts, evidence, and logical explanations to educate the reader about a particular subject. Unlike descriptive writing, which focuses on creating vivid sensory details, or narrative writing, which tells a story, expository writing is focused on providing information and conveying ideas. It does not aim to persuade or argue a point, unlike persuasive writing. Therefore, the correct answer is expository.

Narrative writing refers to a type of writing that tells a story. It involves the use of characters, setting, plot, and other literary elements to convey a sequence of events. The purpose of narrative writing is to entertain or engage the reader by presenting a story or recounting real-life experiences. Unlike descriptive writing, which focuses on vividly describing sensory details, narrative writing focuses on storytelling. Expository writing aims to inform or explain, while persuasive writing seeks to convince the reader. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is narrative.

The device a writer uses to conclude a persuasive piece is called a "call to action". This is when the writer asks the audience to do or believe something, encouraging them to take a specific action or adopt a particular viewpoint.

The word for "the order of events as they occur in a narrative" is plot. In a narrative, the plot refers to the sequence of events that make up the story, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It is the structure that holds the story together and allows for the development and resolution of conflicts. The plot helps to create a sense of coherence and progression in the narrative, guiding the reader or audience through the events in a logical and meaningful way.

The given phrase "debatable and subject to change" suggests that it is a subjective statement that can be open to interpretation and may vary depending on different perspectives. This aligns with the concept of an opinion, which is a personal belief or judgment that can be influenced by individual thoughts and feelings. Unlike facts that are based on objective evidence and can be proven true or false, opinions are subjective and can vary from person to person. Therefore, the correct answer is opinion.

Dialogue refers to the conversation between two or more characters in a narrative. It is usually indicated by the use of quotation marks. Soliloquy and monologue, on the other hand, refer to instances where a character speaks their thoughts or feelings aloud, usually when they are alone. Quoting, while related to dialogue, does not encompass the entire concept of characters speaking in a narrative.

Parenthetical documentation refers to the practice of using parentheses to cite a source within one's own paragraph. This method allows the writer to provide brief information about the source, such as the author's name and the page number, within the text itself. It is an important aspect of academic writing as it gives credit to the original source and helps readers locate the complete citation in the works cited or bibliography section.

Paraphrase is the correct answer because it refers to the act of restating someone else's ideas using our own words, while maintaining a similar word count. It involves expressing the same information or concept in a different way, without changing the meaning. This is commonly done to avoid plagiarism or to simplify complex ideas for better understanding.

The given correct answer is "fact" because when something is described as "not debatable or subject to change," it means that it is a statement of fact. Facts are objective and can be proven or disproven through evidence and logical reasoning. In contrast, opinions are subjective and can vary from person to person. Elaboration refers to providing more details or explanation, while figurative language involves the use of metaphors or similes.

The term "mood" refers to the emotional atmosphere that an author creates in a piece of writing. It is the way the author evokes certain feelings or emotions in the reader through their choice of language, imagery, and overall tone. The mood of a piece can be described as dark, light-hearted, suspenseful, or romantic, among others. It sets the overall tone and helps to shape the reader's emotional response to the text.

When you give proper credit to your source, it is called citation and reference. Citation refers to acknowledging the source within the text, usually through in-text citations or footnotes, while reference refers to providing a detailed list of sources at the end of the document, such as a bibliography or works cited page. Both terms are used to ensure that the original authors or creators of the information are properly acknowledged and credited.

The page that we attach to the end of a research paper which lists the sources cited within is called the "works cited" page. This page provides the reader with detailed information about the sources used in the research paper, allowing them to locate and verify the information. It is an essential part of academic writing as it demonstrates the author's credibility and avoids plagiarism by giving proper credit to the original authors.

Elaboration refers to providing additional details or information to make an image more specific. It helps to enhance the understanding and clarity of the image by adding specific and descriptive elements. This can include providing background information, describing specific features or characteristics, or giving examples to further illustrate the image. Elaboration adds depth and richness to the image, making it more vivid and engaging for the audience.

When we restate someone else's ideas in our own words, but in much fewer words, we call it a summary. A summary provides a concise overview of the main points or ideas presented by someone else, capturing the essence of the original content while condensing it into a shorter form.

The author's attitude towards the subject or the way the author feels about something in the writing is referred to as the tone. The tone can be conveyed through the choice of words, the overall style of writing, and the emotions that the author evokes in the reader. It helps in understanding the author's perspective and intention behind the writing.

A bibliography is a listing of all the sources used in a research project. It includes books, articles, websites, and any other materials that were consulted during the research process. The purpose of a bibliography is to give credit to the original authors and to allow readers to locate the sources for further reading or verification. It is an essential component of academic integrity and helps to prevent plagiarism by providing a comprehensive record of the sources used.