Shea, The Language of Composition, 4E, Chapter 3

Relevance

How closely related something is to the issue at hand.

Authority

The status of information in a text. For example, Who wrote it? Who published it? What expertise is behind it? If it is from a website, what do we know about its origins, its writers, editorial staff, physical address?

Accuracy

How true or correct the information in a source is.

Bias

A prejudice or preconceived notion that prevents a person from approaching a topic in a neutral or an objective way. While a _____ can be in favor of something, the most common usage means _____ed against something and has a negative connotation.

Synthesis

Combining two or more ideas to create something more complex in support of a new idea.

Perspective

A writer’s view of a topic, based on that writer’s background, interests, and expertise. Writers may hold the same position on a topic yet have different _____s on it.

Position

A statement of a writer’s perspective on a topic that articulates an arguable claim.

Background

The part of an image that is behind the objects depicted in the foreground.

Argument

A persuasive discourse resulting in a coherent and considered movement from a claim to a conclusion.

Purpose

The goal the writer or speaker of a text wants to achieve.

Audience

The listener, viewer, or reader of a text. It has both shared and individual beliefs, values, needs, and backgrounds. Most texts are likely to have multiple _____s.

Writer

The person or group who creates a text. This might be a politician who delivers a speech, a commentator who writes an article, an artist who draws a political cartoon, or even a company that commissions an advertisement.

Rhetorical situation

The exigence, purpose, audience, writer, context, and message of a text.

Rhetorical triangle

A diagram that illustrates the interrelationship among the writer, audience, and subject of a text.

Thesis statement

The articulation of the main argument in an argumentative piece of writing. Usually a single sentence, it often previews or sets the stage for the central claims the writer will make.

Closed thesis

A statement of the main idea of the argument that also previews the major points the writer intends to make.

Open thesis

A thesis that does not list all the points the writer intends to cover in the essay.

Counterargument thesis

A type of thesis statement that includes a brief _____, usually qualified with although or but.

Topic sentence

A sentence that states the main point of a paragraph, usually the first sentence.

Commentary

An explanation of why the evidence and/or quotations are important to the development of a line of reasoning and how they support the thesis.

Line of reasoning

The connections between the claims in the writer’s argument and the evidence presented to support them.

Transition

Words that signify a change in thought while keeping writing cohesive. Common _____ words include therefore, because of this, and for instance.