Essay Writing Terms

Paragraph

• A group of related sentences that talk about one main idea.

• A group of words that expresses a complete thought–they should start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.

• A sentence that tells the reader the main idea or purpose of an essay.

• Facts, examples, or details that support a claim or thesis statement.

Tags

CCSS.W.9-10.2A

Sentence

• A group of related sentences that talk about one main idea.

• A group of words that expresses a complete thought–they should start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.

• A sentence that tells the reader the main idea or purpose of an essay.

• Facts, examples, or details that support a claim or thesis statement.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

CCSS.L.9-10.2

Thesis Statement

• A group of related sentences that talk about one main idea.

• A group of words that expresses a complete thought–they should start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.

• A sentence that tells the reader the main idea or purpose of an essay. Argumentative essays have one that includes a claim and reasons in one sentence. While an explanatory essay will include a simple summary of the topic and details that will be discussed.

• Facts, examples, or details that support a claim or thesis statement.

Tags

CCSS.W.9-10.1

Claim

• A group of related sentences that talk about one main idea.

• A group of words that expresses a complete thought–they should start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.

• A statement that declares a belief or position on a certain topic.

• Facts, examples, or details that support a claim or thesis statement.

Tags

CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.1A

Evidence

• A group of related sentences that talk about one main idea.

• A group of words that expresses a complete thought–they should start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.

• A statement that declares a belief or position on a certain topic.

• Facts, examples, or details that support a claim or thesis statement. The evidence will come from an expert source that is researched or provided in most cases.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.9

Quote

• A group of related sentences that talk about one main idea.

• A group of words that expresses a complete thought–they should start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.

• A statement that declares a belief or position on a certain topic.

• The exact words someone else said or wrote, used to support a point. This includes any information that comes from the text or source that was found through research or provided.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.9

Conclusion

• A group of related sentences that talk about one main idea.

• A final paragraph of an essay that sums up the main points and provides a resolution.

• A statement that declares a belief or position on a certain topic.

• Facts, examples, or details that support a claim or thesis statement.

Tags

CCSS.W.9-10.1E

CCSS.W.9-10.2F

Source

• A place where information is found, such as a book, website, person or provided text for an assignment.

• A group of words that expresses a complete thought–they should start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.

• A statement that declares a belief or position on a certain topic.

• Facts, examples, or details that support a claim or thesis statement.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

CCSS.SL.9-10.2

CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.8

Explanatory Essay

• An essay that explains, provides details and examples of a topic or idea in a clear way.

• A group of words that expresses a complete thought–they should start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.

• A statement that declares a belief or position on a certain topic.

• Facts, examples, or details that support a claim or thesis statement.

Tags

CCSS.W.9-10.2

CCSS.W.9-10.2A

CCSS.W.9-10.2B

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.4

Argumentative Essay

• An essay that presents arguments and evidence to support a certain viewpoint.

• A group of words that expresses a complete thought–they should start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.

• A statement that declares a belief or position on a certain topic.

• Facts, examples, or details that support a claim or thesis statement.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.1A

CCSS.W.9-10.1B

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

CCSS.W.9-10.4

CCSS.W.9-10.9