Writing Vocabulary

the reason for writing; what the writer hopes to accomplish

• purpose

• claim

• issue

• relevant

words or phrases that connect ideas, details, or events in writing

• argument

• transitions

• conclusion

• body paragraph

state or assert that something is the case

• counterclaim

• thesis

• supporting details

• claim

a sentence, in the introduction of an essay, that states the writer’s position or opinion on the topic of the essay

• thesis statement

• concluding statement

• main idea

• lead

At lunch, Jeremy couldn't help but (a)   ​ about the cafeteria food, expressing his dissatisfaction with the lack of variety and flavor in the meals.

• gripe

• deranged

• plausible

• stern

The family faced their ordeal with ​ (a)   and courage.

• dignity

• petulance

• stalwart

• collusion

• countenance

Although I was being very ​ (a)   as I crept down the hall to the kitchen to get a midnight snack, I did not anticipate my ​ (b)   to scream when my cat jumped out of a doorway unexpectedly and landed on my head!

• audacity

• stealthy

• vexed

• stimulate

• instinct

the opening paragraph of an essay, which must get the reader’s attention and indicate the topic

• exposition

• introduction

• body paragraph

• anecdote

a sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph; in an essay, it also makes a point that supports the thesis statement

• lead

• topic sentence

• hook

• rhetorical question

the ending of a paragraph or essay, which brings it to a close and leaves an impression with the reader

• argument

• call to action

• conclusion

• citation