WACE English flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Thesis statement

A single sentence in an introduction that states the arguable position the text will defend. It is specific and contestable, unlike a topic announcement.

Topic sentence

The first sentence of a body paragraph, stating that paragraph's claim rather than its subject. It advances the overall thesis and controls the evidence that follows.

Claim-evidence-analysis

A paragraph structure in which a claim is stated, textual evidence is quoted or cited, and analysis explains how that evidence supports the claim. Analysis is the scored element.

Register

The level of formality and specialised vocabulary suited to a particular audience and purpose. It shifts through contractions, jargon, sentence complexity and direct address.

Modality

The degree of certainty or obligation expressed by verbs and adverbs such as must, should, may or possibly. High modality asserts; low modality hedges.

Nominalisation

Turning a verb or adjective into an abstract noun, as in 'decide' becoming 'decision'. It compresses information and often creates a formal, authoritative tone.

Inclusive language

Use of pronouns such as we, us and our to position the reader inside the writer's group. It builds alignment and shared responsibility with the audience.

Rhetorical question

A question asked for effect rather than information, since the answer is assumed. It invites reader agreement and can open or close an argumentative paragraph.

Pathos

The appeal to audience emotion and values, often through anecdote, concrete imagery or appeals to fairness. It persuades by making an abstract issue personally felt.

Ethos

The appeal based on the writer's credibility, authority or shared values with the audience. It may be built through credentials, balanced tone or acknowledged counterarguments.

Logos

The appeal to reason through evidence, statistics, examples and logical progression. It supplies the rational scaffolding that supports an argument's central claim.

Counterargument

Acknowledging an opposing view before refuting it. Conceding a limited point and then rebutting it strengthens credibility and demonstrates control of the issue.

Cohesion

The linking of sentences and paragraphs through pronoun reference, synonyms, repetition of key terms and connectives. It makes a text read as one continuous argument.

Coherence

The logical ordering of ideas so the reader can follow the argument's progression. Coherence operates at whole-text level; cohesion operates at sentence level.

Connotation

The associations a word carries beyond its dictionary meaning. Choosing 'regime' rather than 'government', for example, imports negative judgement.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, independent of emotional association. Distinguishing denotation from connotation is essential when analysing word choice.

Tone

The writer's attitude towards the subject, conveyed through diction, punctuation and sentence length. It is named with a precise adjective and justified with quoted evidence.

Irony

A gap between what is stated and what is meant, or between expectation and outcome. Detecting it requires attention to context and tone rather than words alone.

Sarcasm

A form of verbal irony directed at a target, usually with a mocking or critical edge. It depends on shared context for the audience to recognise the inversion.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect, not intended to be taken literally. It can intensify persuasion or signal an ironic or humorous tone.

Understatement

Deliberately representing something as smaller or less important than it is. It can create irony, modesty or emphasis depending on context.

Multimodal text

A text combining verbal and visual modes, such as an advertisement with image, headline and caption. Meaning arises from the interaction between modes, not from either alone.

Salience

The feature of a visual text that first attracts attention, achieved through size, colour, placement or contrast. It signals what the composer considers most important.

Lead paragraph

The opening paragraph of a news or feature article, delivering the central hook and key information. It establishes tone and compels continued reading.

Byline

The line naming the author of an article, often with a short credential. It establishes authority and is a conventional feature of the article text form.

Text-form conventions

The structural features expected of a genre, such as headline and subheadings for an article, or direct address and rhetorical patterning for a speech. Markers reward them.

Audience positioning

The deliberate use of register, pronouns and assumed knowledge to place the reader in a particular relationship with the writer. It shapes how the argument is received.

Embedded quotation

A short quoted fragment integrated grammatically into the writer's own sentence. It demonstrates control and keeps analysis, rather than quotation, dominant.

Inference

A conclusion drawn from textual clues rather than stated directly. A valid inference must be supported by identifiable evidence and not merely personal assumption.

Comma splice

Joining two independent clauses with a comma alone. It is repaired with a full stop, semicolon or coordinating conjunction and is a common editing error.

Sentence variety

Deliberate variation in sentence length and opening structure to control pace and emphasis. Fronted adverbials and participial phrases are common openers used.

Comparative analysis

Explaining similarity or difference between texts with evidence from each. A stated point of comparison must precede the supporting evidence from both texts.