Informational/Persuasion Vocabulary

Main Idea

most important idea a writer wants to chare about a topic

Supporting Detail

facts and examples the writer provides as support

Heading

title of the article

Subheading

headings that signal the beginning of a new topic or section

Sidebar

additional information set alongside, below, or within

Bulleted List

list of items of equal importance

Graphic Aid

visual representation of information

Fact

statement that can be proven true

Opinion

statement that cannot be proven because it is personal

Author’s Purpose

a writer’s reason for writing a certain piece

Argument

claim supported by reasons and evidence

Claim

writer’s position on a problem or issue

Support

reasons and evidence that back up the claim

Counterargument

an argument made to disprove or answer another viewpoint

Persuasive Techniques

try to influence feelings and actions

Tone

writer’s attitude towards a subject

Emotional Appeal

use of descriptions or images to cause strong feelings

Ethical Appeal

attempts to gain moral support for a claim

Appeals by Association

attempts to persuade based on other’s feelings

Loaded Language

words with strong positive or negative connotations