R&W Midterm Exam

• Paragraph


  A group of interrelated sentences that talk about one main idea. It has 3 parts: Topic Sentence, Body(supporting paragraphs), and Closing sentence.
• Essay


  A group of paragraphs that talk about one central idea. Has 3 general parts: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion
• Properties of Well-written Text

  • Unity - Has one focused idea
  • Coherence and Cohesion
  • Organization - Is achieved when ideas are logically and accurately arranged
  • Mechanics - The technical aspect of writing, set of conventions on how to spell, abbreviate, punctuate, and capitalize a composition
• Coherence


  Occurs when ideas are connected at the conceptual or idea level
• Cohesion


  The connection of ideas at the sentence level
• Thesis Statement


  The central point of a multiple paragraph composition that guides, controls, and unifies ideas. Usually placed at the end of the introductory paragraph.
• Successful Thesis Statement


  • Usually one sentence
  • Is a statement, not a question
  • Identifies the subject of the paper
  • Takes a stand rather than simply a subject
• Topic Sentence


  States the main idea of the paragraph. Summarizes what the entire paragraph is all about. Controls the other sentences in the paragraph.
• Supporting Details


  Pieces of information necessary to better understand the main idea. Can be facts, reasons, testimonies, statistics, and experiments that support the topic sentence.
• Intertext


  A work whose meaning is shaped by referencing or calling to mind other texts
• Hypertext


  Characterized by the external links embedded in a text by the writer
• Claim


  A single statement that becomes the topic of the argument. The most important part of an academic paper. The complexity, effectiveness, and quality of the entire paper hinges on the claim.
• Claim of Fact


  Asserts that something has existed, does exist, or will exist. Debates whether it is true or false.
• Claim of Value


  Asserts judgment whether it is good or bad, more or less desirable. Based on judgment and evaluation from a philosophical, aesthetic, or moral standpoint.
• Claim of Policy


  Something that should or should not be done. The key word is the verb "should", which implies that some action ought to be taken, but not that it must or will be taken.
• How to Spot Fake News

  • Be skeptical of headlines
  • Look closely at the link
  • Investigate the source
  • Watch for unusual formatting
  • Consider the photos
  • Inspect the dates
  • Check the evidence
  • Look at other reports
  • Is the story a joke?
  • Some stories are intentionally false
• LOGICAL FALLACIES

  • Are errors in reasoning that invalidate an argument.
• 1. Hasty Generalization 

  •  It is a conclusion based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence.
• 1. Bandwagon

  •  the opinion of the majority is always valid: that is, everyone believes it, so you should too.
• 1. Appeal to Authority

  •  does not refer to appropriately citing an expert, but rather when an arguer tries to get people to agree with him/her by appealing to a supposed authority who isn’t much of an expert.
• 1. Appeal to pity

  • is a fallacy in which someone tries to win support for an argument or idea by exploiting his or her opponent's feelings of pity or guilt. 
• false Dilemma

  • Occurs when an arguer presents his/her argument as 

  one of only two options despite the presence of multiple possibilities.
• Properties of Well-written Text

  • Unity
  • Coherence and Cohesion 
  • Organization
  • Language Use 
  • Mechanics