GMAS Writing Terms

argumentative texts

• the end of a piece of writing
• forms of writing in which the writer makes a claim and supports that claim with reasons and evidence
• beginning of a piece of writing; should let readers know what they will be reading about
• to use someone else's ideas and express those ideas in your own words; acceptable as long as you attribute the ideas to the author and cite the source in the text at the end of the sentence

argument

• strong and carefully chosen words
• refers to the flow of sentences and paragraphs from one to another
• main statement of an argumentative text; the main point on which the writer will develop his or her work in order to convince readers
• ideas and opinions set forth by the writer

claim

• forms of writing in which the writer makes a claim and supports that claim with reasons and evidence
• refers to the flow of sentences and paragraphs from one to another
• forms of writing that inform the reader or explain something
• ideas and opinions set forth by the writer

counterclaim

• forms of writing in which the writer makes a claim and supports that claim with reasons and evidence
• a reasonable argument that opposes or disagrees with another claim; supported by evidence and sound reasoning
• strong and carefully chosen words
• what a piece of writing is about

introduction

• beginning of a piece of writing; should let readers know what they will be reading about
• strong and carefully chosen words
• main statement of an argumentative text; the main point on which the writer will develop his or her work in order to convince readers
• the people who will be reading the piece of writing

organization

• the quality of being trusted and believed in
• the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own
• helps present ideas and information more clearly; transitions are used to help with this
• beginning of a piece of writing; should let readers know what they will be reading about

evidence

• the way in which a piece of writing is organized, designed, and arranged
• refers to a variety of media (examples: art, presentations, photographs, charts, and videos)
• to use someone else's ideas and express those ideas in your own words; acceptable as long as you attribute the ideas to the author and cite the source in the text at the end of the sentence
• reasons given to support a writer's claims

credible

• being trusted and believed in
• ideas and opinions set forth by the writer
• to use someone else's ideas and express those ideas in your own words; acceptable as long as you attribute the ideas to the author and cite the source in the text at the end of the sentence
• steps are prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing, proofreading, and publishing

relationships in writing

• the process of editing and rewriting a piece of writing
• a word, phrase, or clause that links one idea to the next
• the ways in which ideas are connected
• helps present ideas and information more clearly; transitions are used to help with this

cohesion

• refers to the flow of sentences and paragraphs from one to another
• the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own
• beginning of a piece of writing; should let readers know what they will be reading about
• helps present ideas and information more clearly; transitions are used to help with this