English terms to know

Brainstorming

The practice of generating and organizing ideas in preparation for writing, which can be sourced from personal experiences or research.

Outline

A structured framework for writing that highlights key points and details, serving as a guide to the final draft.

Rough Draft

The preliminary version of a written work where explanations and supporting details are included, but it remains unedited and incomplete.

Thesis Statement

A concise summary that responds to the writing prompt, encapsulating the main idea to be supported with evidence.

Topic Sentence

A statement that denotes the main idea of a body paragraph, supporting the overall thesis.

Concluding Sentence

A sentence found at the conclusion of a body paragraph, summarizing its content and providing a transition to the next point.

MLA In-text Citation

References placed within the text, typically at the end of a sentence, to credit sources of factual information.

T-L-Q (Transition, Lead-In, Quotation)

A method for introducing evidence that incorporates a direct quote from a text, prefaced by a transition and contextual lead-in.

Narrative Writing

A genre that recounts a story in a sequential manner, incorporating elements such as plot, characters, and setting.

Argumentative Writing

A form of writing that seeks to clarify a particular viewpoint backed by evidence, often aimed at persuading the audience.

Diction

The specific word choices made by an author that influence meaning and effect.

Irony

A rhetorical device where the meaning intended by the author differs from the literal interpretation, categorized into verbal, dramatic, and situational irony.

Symbolism

The practice of using tangible objects to represent abstract concepts.

Allusion

A mention of an idea, event, person, place, or thing external to the text that the audience may recognize.