Critical Reading and Writing Lecture Flashcards

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering the distinction between facts and opinions, authorial intent, logical analysis (inferences and bias), the writing process, MLA citation, and primary/secondary sources.

What is the fundamental difference between a fact and an opinion according to the notes?

Facts are statements that can be proven, while opinions cannot be proven and are based on a person's thoughts, feelings, and understanding.

List seven reliable authorities or methods mentioned that can provide factual information.

A history book, an observation, governmental law, proven scientific law, statistics, mathematics, and measurements.

What are five specific types of opinions listed in the text?

Hypothesis Statements, Theory Statements, Assumptive Statements, Value Statements, and Exaggerated Statements.

What does the acronym PIES represent in the context of Author's Purpose?

P (Persuade), I (Inform), E (Entertain), and S (Share feelings).

What are some common examples of informative texts?

Cookbooks, textbooks, and historical accounts.

In what type of writing is the goal to get the reader to agree with the writer's opinion?

Persuasive writing.

How can the frequency of facts versus opinions help identify a passage's purpose?

If facts outnumber opinions, it is likely informative; if opinions outnumber facts, it is likely persuasive or entertaining.

What is the definition of 'bias' provided in the notes?

Bias is when a person is partial to one thing over another or unfairly favors one side over the other.

Which type of graph shows data as portions of one whole or one group using percentages?

A Circle Graph, also known as a Pie Chart.

How does a Pictograph display data?

It uses pictures and symbols to display data, where each picture can represent more than one object, as defined by a key.

On a Continuous Line Graph, where are the independent and dependent variables typically located?

The independent variable is on the $X$ axis and the dependent variable is on the $Y$ axis.

What is the purpose of a 'Sidebar' in a text?

It provides additional details, facts, or information related to the main text, often located in a shaded box at the sides, top, or bottom of a page.

What is the difference between a Table of Contents and an Index?

The Table of Contents is at the beginning and lists key topics in the order they are presented; the Index is at the back and lists specific topics, names, and terms alphabetically with page numbers.

What are the six stages of the Writing Process mentioned?

Invention, Collection, Organization, Drafting, Revising, and Proofreading.

In the context of the writing process, what does 'Invention' involve?

Coming up with a topic and brainstorming ideas through methods like listing or clustering.

What occurs during the 'Collection' stage of writing?

Gathering ideas, locating and evaluating research, and conducting interviews.

How are higher-order and lower-order concerns differentiated during the revising and proofreading stages?

Revising focuses on higher-order concerns like clear communication, organization, and structure; Proofreading focuses on lower-order concerns like spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.

What analogy is used to describe an essay without a thesis statement?

An essay without a thesis statement is like a car without a driver.

What are the primary characteristics of a thesis statement?

It addresses the prompt clearly, makes a claim or presents an argument, is arguable (an opinion), and is located in the first paragraph of the essay.

According to the notes, what should a standard paragraph include?

A Topic Sentence, three examples, and a conclusion, typically spanning five to eight sentences.

What is 'Deep Revision'?

Whole essay revision that addresses higher-order concerns such as thesis, meaning, structure, supporting detail, and logic.

Describe the MLA 'author-page' style for in-text citations.

The author's last name and the page number(s) must appear in the text (e.g., Wordsworth 263), and a complete reference must appear on the Works Cited page.

What defines a primary source?

Original records from the past recorded by people who were involved in the event, witnessed the event, or knew the persons involved.

Provide four examples of primary source formats.

Printed publications (books/magazines), personal records (diaries/journals), visual materials (photographs/film/maps), and artifacts (tools/objects).

What makes secondary sources potentially more 'fair' than primary sources?

They can represent a more balanced account because they can include more than one point of view or include information that was unavailable at the time of the event.

What is the difference between an inference and a conclusion?

Inferences are educated guesses based on clues; conclusions are made only when multiple inferences have been pieced together.

What is the definition of 'theme' in literature?

The underlying meaning of a piece of literature, usually including an observation about life, a moral, or a lesson the character learns.

What is a 'universal theme'?

A theme that relates to all people—either through shared experiences or dreams—giving a piece of literature timelessness.