Writing Skills and Non-Fictional Text Analysis

A comprehensive vocabulary flashcard set for summary writing, reporting verbs, stylistic devices, communicative strategies, and register analysis.

Summary Introductory Frame

An opening sentence structure in a summary that includes an in-text citation, author name, publication year, title, and a present-tense reporting verb to state the main idea.

Reporting Verbs for Strong Argument

Verbs such as argues, claims, contends, maintains, insists, and posits used to express a speaker's or author's firm position.

Reporting Verbs for Neutral Stance

Verbs such as states, reports, explains, discusses, illustrates, and observes used to present facts or ideas without strong bias.

Reporting Verbs for Counterargument

Expressions such as refutes the claim, argues against, and contradicts used when an author opposes or disproves a statement.

Reporting Verbs for Suggestion

Verbs such as suggests and recommends used when an author offers ideas, recommendations, or advice.

Reporting Verbs for Criticism

Expressions such as criticizes, questions, and doubts/expresses doubt used when an author expresses skepticism or disapproval.

Metaphor and Simile

Stylistic devices used to implicitly or explicitly compare two things to illustrate a concept.

Alliteration

An uncountable stylistic device involving repetitive initial consonant sounds, used to add emphasis, highlight, or stress key points.

Anaphora

A stylistic device where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of consecutive clauses or sentences to drive a message home.

Parallelism

The repetition of identical or similar grammatical structures to make an author's opinion or position clear.

Enumeration

A step-by-step listing of items or points designed to drive a message home clearly.

First Person Personal Pronouns

The deliberate use of terms like "we" and "our" to establish a bond of familiarity with the reader.

Contrast and Juxtaposition

Stylistic techniques used to compare opposing elements and underline differences between them.

Uncountable Stylistic Devices

Rhetorical terms used without an article (e.g., alliteration, contrast, hyperbole, repetition); exceptions include an allusion, a metaphor, a simile, a symbol, a rhetorical question, and a pun.

Author's Attitude

The writer's perspective or emotional stance, which may range from biased, subjective, or critical to balanced, impersonal, or objective.

Communicative Strategy

Techniques employed by an author—such as quoting experts or using illustrative examples—to emphasize arguments and convince the reader.

Register

The level of formality in text, ranging from informal/colloquial language to neutral or formal register with complex sentence structures.