Essay Vocabulary (ELA 10)

Vocabulary terms and definitions from the lecture notes on essay structure, including introduction, body, and conclusion paragraph components.

Hook

The very first sentence of an essay used to capture the reader's attention and introduce the broad topic or theme of the paper.

Summary Sentence

A sentence that provides brief background information or a quick overview of the texts, topics, or historical events being analyzed.

Thesis Statement

The primary, overarching argument of the entire essay that states the writer’s main claim and serves as a roadmap for the reader.

Topic Sentence

The first sentence of a body paragraph that states the precise claim and controlling idea of that specific section.

Introducing a Quote

A phrase or sentence (also called a "signal phrase") that sets up a piece of evidence by establishing who said it or what is happening right before it appears.

Quote

The exact, word-for-word text copied directly from a source and placed inside quotation marks ("…") to serve as evidence.

In-Text Citation

A parenthetical note placed immediately after a quote or paraphrase that tells the reader exactly which source and page/paragraph the evidence came from.

Explanation Sentence

The sentences where the writer analyzes the evidence by breaking down its deeper meaning and explicitly proving how and why it supports the claim.

Conclusion Sentence (for Body Paragraphs)

The final sentence of a body paragraph that wraps up the main point of that section and links it back to the overall thesis statement.

Restated Thesis

The first sentence of the conclusion paragraph where the writer rewords the main thesis argument using different phrasing to remind the reader what was proven.

Synthesis Statement ("So What?" Sentence)

A specific type of summary sentence in the conclusion that explains the deeper significance of the topic and answers the "so what?" question by showing why the argument matters in a broader, real-world context.

Conclusion Sentence (for Conclusion Paragraph)

The final sentence of the entire essay that leaves the reader with a lasting, memorable thought or takeaway about the topic.

Citation

A formal, complete reference entry located on a Works Cited or Bibliography page that provides all publication details for a source used in the essay.