Writing and Revision Concepts

Flashcards created from lecture notes on writing and revision concepts.

Redundancy

Unnecessary repetition of ideas or words that weakens clarity.

Example of redundancy

“Free gift” (gift already means free).

Precision in word choice

Choosing the exact word that best conveys meaning.

Vague language

Language that makes writing unclear and less impactful.

Effective sentence

A sentence that is clear, concise, and supports the main idea.

Parallel structure

Using the same grammatical form for similar ideas.

Goal of revision questions

Improve clarity, organization, and logical flow.

Sentence placement

Deciding where a sentence best fits in a paragraph.

Considerations for moving a sentence

Topic, logical flow, and transitions.

Deleting a sentence

Tests whether it is relevant to the main idea.

Adding a sentence

When it improves clarity or adds needed support.

Combining sentences

Joining ideas to improve flow and reduce repetition.

Best way to combine sentences

Keep meaning clear while being concise.

Rhetorical strategies

Techniques authors use to achieve their purpose.

Examples of rhetorical strategies

Facts, emotional appeals, examples, expert opinions.

Evidence in writing

Facts or examples that support a claim.

Effective evidence

Relevant, specific, and supports the argument.

Author’s claim

The main argument or point.

Audience awareness

Adjusting writing based on the reader.

How audience affects writing

It influences tone, word choice, and detail.

Formal vs informal tone

Formal = academic; Informal = casual.

BEST answer on PSAT writing

The most clear, concise, and grammatically correct.

What to avoid in answers

Wordiness, repetition, irrelevant details.

If two answers mean the same

Choose the shorter, clearer one.

1 rule for revision questions

Stick to the main idea of the paragraph.