English 3201 terms

Narrative essay

Essay that tells a story of an event or experience

Descriptive essay

Essay that describes a person, place, event or object

Expository essay

Essay that explain a subject. 5 methods of development: example and illustration, cause and effect, process analysis, classification and division and comparison and contrast.

Argumentative essay

Essay that argues for or against a topic, trying to win the reader over to an idea or point of view

Example and Illustration

A method of developing an expository essay. Used to support an idea, reinforce a contention or clarify some topic. Most common.

Cause and effect

A method of developing an expository essay. Shows interdependent relationships, attempting to answer the why and what of a situation. Defines the reason behind a situation and its result.

Process analysis

A method of developing an expository essay. Gives directions or simply provides information about how to perform a particular task.

Classification and Division

A method of developing an expository essay. Items, information and ideas are organized into categories, to analyze parts or sextions of a topic.

Comparison and contrast

A method of developing an expository essay. Uses similarities and differences to illustrate and discuss and idea.

Purpose

The reason an author writes an essay.

Audience

For whom an essay is written. A general or specific group

Tone

The authors attitude towards the subject

Coherence

Creating a smooth flow between sentences and between paragraphs. 4 techniques: transitions, pronoun reference, parallel structure and repetition. (tppr)

Transition

Links words or phrases, ensuring smooth connections. Can be used for addition, concession of a point, compare/contrast, effect, example, emphasis, reason, space or conclusion.

Repetition

Phrases or words appear frequently, linked to the main topic to provide unity.

Pronoun reference

Substitutes a name to create a smooth flow.

Parallel structure

Uses similar grammatical structure for clarity. Same tense and form.

Emphasis

Important elements are made to stand out. Communicates the theme, mood, tone or purpose.

Emphatic devices

Repetition, font, short sentences and punctuation

Unity

Oneness of effect, remaining on topic. Achieved through strong thesis statements, strong topic sentences, relevant examples, repetition and closing by return.

Jargon

Language pécule to a particular trade, profession or group.

Coloquil

Words, phrases and expressions used in every day conversation, relaxed and informal

Dialect

A way of speaking or variation on language unique to a particular people or to a region or social group

Euphamism

The substitution of a mild, indirect or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh or blunt

Formal

Serious treatment of a subject by using proper grammar and rules

Slang

Words and phrases vary because of a particular age group, geographic location, occupation…

Addition transition terms

Again, for one thing, moreover, also, next, finally, first, besides, And

Concession of a point transition terms

Certainly, indeed, of course, no doubt, even so, to be sure

Compare and contrast transition terms

As well, in contrast, equally, on the contrary, likewise, But

Effect transition terms

As a result, consequently, hence, accordingly, thus

Example transition terms

For instance, namely, in particular, in other words

Emphasis transition terms

Above all, clearly, in fact, most of all, of corse, indeed

Purpose transition terms

For this reason, the most

Space transition terms

Above, behind, below, near, beyond, outside, on top, under

Summary transition terms

In short, thus, on the whole, ultimately, to conclude

Positive tone words

Optimistic, respectful, jovial, proud, hopeful, playful, enthusiastic

Negative tone words

Accusatory, bitter, pessimistic, anxious, disappointed, morbid, despairing

Neutral tone words

Indifférent, earnest, impartial, contemplation, formal, questioning, detached, serious

Rhetorical question

A figure of speech formatted as a question but asked for effect, emphasis, or provocation rather than to elicit an answer

Imperative sentence

Give a direct command, request, invitation, warning or instructions beginning with a verb and ending with a period or exclamation.

Declarative sentences

Makes a statement, provides a fact, offers an explanation or conveys information

Rhetorical devices

Tone, repetition, humour, sarcasm, irony, exaggeration and rhetorical question

Thesis statement

A one or two sentence summary of an essays main argument, found at the end of the introduction. A debatable claim that describes the point that the essay will try to prove.

Bandwagon

The suggestion that everyone is using or doing something. Consumers do not want to be left behind, they want to fit in.

Cartoon/cute characters

Creates sensitivity, emotional appeal and nostalgia.

Celebrity endorsements

Using a well known person or promote a product

Emotional Appeal

Appeals to the emotions of the viewers. Ads may elicit a strong emotional connection which entices the viewer to acquire the product

Facts and figures

The implication that statistics and statements prove a point beyond dispute

Gender/sex appeal

Often uses body objectification to grab a viewer’s attention

Name calling

It is the use of derogatory language or words that carry a negative connotation when describing an enemy

Plain Folks

Talking down to the viewer in order to appear just like them

Shock appeal

Purposely offends and startles its viewers to gain attention, encourage cognitive processing, and have an immediate impact on behaviour. Disturbing images, sexual references, profanity, obscenity, religious taboos, vulgarity or moral offensiveness

Snob appeal

The association of a product with a desirable lifestyle

Testimonials

Quotations or endorsements in or out of context which attempt to connect a respectable person with a product

Humour

An ad that makes us laugh and is entertaining

Dominant image

The central thought or object that stands out in a work, especially in artistic visuals

Focal point

Part of the visual that is the main area of interest, catches your attention

Foreground

The part of a scene or landscape which is near the viewer

Lighting

Illumination, establishes mood or serves a symbolic purpose

Line

The visual path that enables the eye to move over the piece, vertical horizontal jagged or curved

Asymmetry

Having parts that fail to correspond to one another in shape, size or arrangement

Blank spaces

An area devoid of content in a visual

Juxtaposition

Two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect

Motif

A distinctive feature or dominant idea in a composition

Texture

The effective use of lines and dots in a visual which can be felt with the eyes

Frame/ panel

A single drawing in a comic strip

Perspective

The technique used to represent a 3D world on a 2D surface in a way that looks realistic and accurate in size.

Proportion

The relationship of two or more elements in a design and how they compare with eachother

Scale

The relative size of objects with In a visual in terms of their real life size

Symmetry

Balance in which the parts are visually equal

Background

The part of the scene that appears behind the subject of a picture

Balance

The way shapes are arranged within a visual, to create order or harmony

Composition

Combining parts or elements to form a whole

Contrast

To examine two or more items by looking at differences

Copy

Text used in a visual