Freshman Honors English Semester 1 Exam Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts related to writing, MLA formatting, literature analysis, and grammatical terminology that will aid in preparing for the exam.

Diction

The choice of words and phrases in writing; specific types of words should be avoided for clarity and formality.

Cohesion

The quality of being logical and consistent in writing; shown through the structure and flow of the essay.

MLA format

A standardized way of formatting academic papers, including proper title, header, in-text citations, and works cited.

Thesis

The main argument or claim presented in an essay, typically located in the introductory paragraph.

Topic sentence

The sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph, guiding the reader on what to expect.

Transition

Words or phrases used to connect ideas and improve the flow of writing between sentences or paragraphs.

Plagiarism

The act of using someone else's work or ideas as your own without proper attribution; can be avoided by citing sources.

Dropped quote

A quote presented without an introduction; it is improper because it lacks context.

Etymology

The study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed throughout history.

Setting

The time, place, and mood in which a story unfolds.

Thematic statement

A sentence that expresses the central idea or message of a literary work.

Characterization

The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character, either directly or indirectly.

Action verb

A verb that shows what action a subject is performing.

Linking verb

A verb that connects the subject with a subject complement, usually describing a state of being.

Predicate nominative

A noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames the subject.

Preposition

A word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence.

Conjunction

A word that connects phrases, clauses, or words; includes coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions.

Syntax

The arrangement of words to create meaningful sentences.

Novel

A long fictional narrative that describes intimate human experiences.

Ambiguity

A quality of being open to more than one interpretation; an unclear meaning.

Irony

A literary technique, often used to convey an incongruity between appearance and reality.