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English 121 Final Fall 2010

the manner in which words are arranged into sentences
simple sentence
a sentence with one independent clause
compound sentence
Two main clauses, each with a verb, linked with a conjunction. Eg. "The sun shone and the children played on the beach"
periodic sentence
a word, phrase, or clause that does not form a full sentence
independent clause
clause that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. Ex. Kate noted the day's events in her journal.
dependent clause
subordinating conjunction
A word which joins together a dependent clause and an independent clause. Examples are although, because, while, etc.
comma splice
using a comma incorrectly to join two sentences. Ex. Mary walked home, she missed her ride. (There should be a semicolon or a comma with a conjunction between the two sentences.)
the use of a series of words, phrases, or sentences that have similar grammatical form
a writer's choice of words
the feelings or emotions surrounding a word
the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression
study of word parts; study of the origins of words
The purpose of this type of rhetorical mode is to tell the story or narrate an event or series of events.
process analysis
a pattern of writing or speaking which is characterized by it's explanation of how to do something or how something occurs. It presents a sequence of steps and shows how those steps lead to a particular result. (Can be seen often in recipes or directional manuals, a discussion of steps)
the act of plagiarizing
Acronym for Modern Language Association, publisher of guidelines for research paper formats
a form of argumentation, one of the four modes of discourse; language intended to convince through appeals to reason or emotion.
a three-part deductive argument in which a conclusion is based on a major premise and a minor premise ("All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal.")
the drawing of a conclusion through logic
a type of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from a series of facts (reason leads one to a conclusion apparent in the facts)
drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect
the act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification)
coordinating conjunction
connects word or word groups that have equal importance in a sentence (and, but , or, for, so, yet, nor)