greer flashcards

3 common methods of introduction

1. Broad to Narrow

2. Tell a Brief Story

3. Shift to the Opposite

4. Asking one or more questions

3 parts of an intro paragraph

1. World connection - connect the essay’s big/main idea to a global issue/topic

2. Text - introduce any titles or authors in the essay

3. Thesis - sentence expressing the central argument or main point of your essay.

3 parts of a conclusion

1. Restate the thesis

2. Synthesize the key ideas from the text

3. World connection

TRIAC Meaning

T - Topic sentence: announce the focus of the paragraph and act as a mini-thesis

R - Refine sentence: narrows the scope of the paragraph from the topic. Restates the topic sentence in different, more specific terms, and sets the direction the paragraph is taking the reader

I - Illustration (example) sentence: Writer gives evidence to support the topic sentence like quotes, examples and statistics.

A - Analysis sentence: Writer explains why the evidence in the “I” supports the topic and refining sentences

C - Clincher sentence: Helps the reader understand that the focused topic has been sufficiently discussed, and that the essay will now move on to a new topic. Preps readers for the next paragraph or subtly restates the topic sentence (if the last paragraph)

3 uses of a clincher

1. Used to restate the topic sentence

2. Used to transition to the next paragraph

3. Develop a line of reasoning in a way that’s easily understood by readers

3 part quote incorporation

1. Introduce the quote with context (if a synthesis essay, you have to provide/explain your source's credibility)

2. Quote

3. Source

How to use a topic sentence to refine the line of reasoning

They act as logical signposts that connect paragraph level claims directly to the thesis

How much analysis should you have for each piece of evidence

Roughly twice as much analysis as you have evidence, 2:1 ratio

Do your argumentative essays need a counterargument

No, but it can get you a style point. BUT DONT FORCE IT

Does your counterargument (if present) have to be a part of your thesis

No

What is rhetorical analysis?

An analysis of how well the author’s choices fit his or her specific audience

What is a synthesis essay?

An essay in which you use other people’s ideas to reinforce a point that you’re making on your own

Most common mistakes in an intro

1. The thesis isn’t grammatically parallel

2. Not enough transition to the topic from the attention gette

Most common mistakes in a clincher

Giving too much information about the next body paragraph. You should hint at it, not state it directly.

Difference between analysis for synthesis and argumentative essays and for rhetorical essays

1. Rhetorical Analysis = How, why, and how effectively

2. Synthesis and Argumentative = explain how evidence supports the topic sentence