Functional English Unit 7 – Improving Writing Skills

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from Unit 7, including essay, precis, report, and letter-writing concepts essential for improving functional English writing skills.

Essay

A structured piece of writing that presents and supports a thesis to inform or persuade a reader.

Thesis Statement

A single, concise sentence that expresses the main claim or argument of an essay.

Introduction (Essay)

The opening section that hooks the reader, gives background, and states the thesis.

Body Paragraph

A paragraph that develops one main idea supporting the thesis with evidence and analysis.

Conclusion (Essay)

The final section that restates the thesis, summarizes key points, and offers closing insights or calls to action.

Transition

A word or phrase that smoothly connects ideas, sentences, or paragraphs.

Precis

A concise summary that retains the essence, logic, and order of a longer text while omitting details.

Brevity

The quality of expressing much in few words; essential for precis writing.

Clarity

The quality of being easily understood and free from ambiguity.

Coherence

Logical consistency that creates a unified whole in writing.

Objectivity (Precis)

Presenting ideas without personal bias, opinions, or interpretation.

Report

A structured document that informs, analyzes, or recommends based on researched data.

Executive Summary / Abstract

A brief overview of a report’s purpose, methods, key findings, and conclusions.

Methodology

The systematic procedures, tools, and techniques used to gather and analyze data in a report.

Findings / Results

The section of a report that presents collected data or observations without interpretation.

Analysis / Discussion

The part of a report that interprets findings, explains implications, and relates them to objectives.

Recommendations

Actionable suggestions based on a report’s analysis and conclusions.

Formal Letter

A letter written in a prescribed format and formal tone for official or professional purposes.

Informal Letter

A personal letter written in a friendly tone with flexible structure.

Salutation

The greeting at the start of a letter (e.g., "Dear Mr. Smith").

Sign-off / Closing

The courteous ending of a letter (e.g., "Sincerely," "Best regards").

Tone

The writer’s attitude conveyed through word choice and style; can be formal or informal.

Audience

The intended readers who influence a writer’s tone, style, and content.

Evidence

Facts, statistics, examples, or quotations used to support an argument.

Counterargument

A viewpoint that opposes the writer’s position, acknowledged to strengthen an essay’s argument.

Critical Thinking

Objective analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a reasoned judgment.

Conciseness

Using only necessary words to convey an idea effectively.

Proofread

To review writing for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity before finalizing.

Logical Structure

An orderly arrangement of ideas that guides the reader through a text.

Hook (Essay)

An engaging opening device—such as a question or fact—used to capture the reader’s attention.

Executive Summary

A short, standalone section that lets readers grasp an entire report quickly.

Argument

A set of reasons given to persuade others that an idea or action is valid.

Analyse

To examine something in detail by breaking it into parts for explanation or interpretation.

Draft

A preliminary version of a piece of writing to be revised and refined.

Revision

The process of improving content, organization, and clarity after the first draft.