NS RWM8 flashcards

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

Main idea

The central point a passage makes about its topic. It is often stated in the introduction or conclusion and must be broad enough to cover every supporting detail in the text.

Supporting detail

A specific fact, example, statistic, or reason that explains or proves the main idea. Removing it should weaken the passage's argument but not change its central point.

Inference

A conclusion a reader draws by combining evidence in the text with ordinary reasoning. It is not stated directly, but it must be defensible using only details from the passage.

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

A pronoun must agree with the noun it replaces in number and gender. Singular antecedents such as 'each,' 'everyone,' and 'neither' take singular pronouns in formal standard written English.

Subject-verb agreement

A verb must match its subject in number. Phrases set off by commas between subject and verb do not change the subject, so 'the box of tools is' remains singular.

Comma splice

Two independent clauses joined by only a comma. Fix it with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction such as 'and,' 'but,' or 'so.'

Misplaced modifier

A descriptive phrase placed too far from the word it describes, creating confusion. Move the modifier next to its intended noun so the sentence's meaning is unambiguous.

Contrast transition

A linking word showing that two ideas oppose each other. Common examples are 'however,' 'although,' 'nevertheless,' 'in contrast,' and 'on the other hand.'

Cause-effect transition

A linking word showing that one idea produces another. Common examples are 'therefore,' 'because,' 'as a result,' 'consequently,' and 'thus'; use them only when a real causal link exists.

Claim versus evidence

A claim is an arguable statement of opinion; evidence is checkable support such as data, quotations, or examples. Strong writing pairs each claim with evidence and explains how the evidence supports it.

Active voice

The subject performs the action, as in 'The committee approved the plan.' Active voice is usually shorter and clearer; passive voice fits when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

Parallel structure

Items in a list or comparison must share the same grammatical form. 'Hiking, swimming, and biking' is parallel; 'hiking, swimming, and to bike' is not, breaking the pattern.

Thesis statement

A single sentence, usually at the end of an introduction, that states the essay's central argument and previews its structure. Everything in the body paragraphs should support it.

Context clue

A word, phrase, or punctuation mark near an unfamiliar word that hints at its meaning. Types include definition, example, contrast, and restatement clues within the surrounding sentence.

Formal versus informal register

Formal writing avoids contractions, slang, and unsupported first-person opinion; it favors precise vocabulary and complete sentences. Match register to the assignment's audience and stated purpose.

Topic sentence

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point. The remaining sentences in that paragraph should support or develop it rather than introduce new topics.

Slope formula

m = (y₂ − y₁) / (x₂ − x₁). Slope measures vertical change per unit of horizontal change; a horizontal line has slope 0 and a vertical line has undefined slope.

Slope-intercept form

y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept, the point where the line crosses the y-axis at (0, b). Substituting x = 0 returns y = b.

Pythagorean theorem

For a right triangle with legs a and b and hypotenuse c: a² + b² = c². The hypotenuse is always the side opposite the right angle and the longest side.

Area of a circle

A = πr², where r is the radius. Given the diameter, halve it first. Use 3.14 or the calculator's π key unless the problem specifies an approximation.

Circumference

C = 2πr or C = πd, the distance around a circle. Because d = 2r, the two formulas always produce the same result for a given circle.

Percent change

(new value − old value) ÷ old value × 100. A positive result is an increase and a negative result is a decrease; always divide by the original value, not the new one.

Order of operations

Parentheses, then exponents, then multiplication and division left to right, then addition and subtraction left to right. Multiplication does not automatically outrank division when reading left to right.

Mean

The sum of all values divided by the number of values. The mean is pulled toward outliers, so it can differ sharply from the median in skewed data sets.

Median

The middle value when data are ordered from least to greatest. With an even number of values, average the two middle values to find the median.

Mode

The value that appears most often in a data set. A set may have one mode, several modes, or no mode if every value appears exactly once.

Exponent product rule

When multiplying powers with the same base, add the exponents: aᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ. The rule requires identical bases and does not apply to the sum aᵐ + aⁿ.

Unit rate

A ratio expressed per one unit of the second quantity, found by dividing the first quantity by the second. Unit rates make comparisons across different package sizes or time periods possible.

Volume of a cylinder

V = πr²h, the area of the circular base multiplied by the height. Radius and height must be converted to the same unit before multiplying.

Volume of a rectangular prism

V = l × w × h, and for a cube V = s³. Volume is always reported in cubic units that match the linear units used for the dimensions.

Distributive property

a(b + c) = ab + ac. Multiply the factor outside the parentheses by every term inside; this is the standard first step when solving equations that contain grouping symbols.

Complementary and supplementary angles

Complementary angles sum to 90°; supplementary angles sum to 180°. A pair can be adjacent or physically separate, so do not assume the angles must touch.