HiSET Writing key terms

The central point a paragraph or passage communicates, which everything else in the text should support or explain. Readers often find it stated directly in a topic sentence or thesis.

A sentence, usually near the end of an introduction, that states the central claim of an essay and hints at how the rest of the piece will be organized.

The sentence that announces the main point of a single paragraph, usually placed first, telling readers what the rest of that paragraph will explain or prove.

A specific fact, example, reason, or illustration that backs up a broader claim. Effective writing pairs each general statement with enough detail to make it believable.

A word, phrase, or sentence that connects ideas and shows how they relate, such as however, in addition, or as a result. Transitions guide readers from one point to the next.

The quality of a text whose parts fit together logically and read smoothly, so readers can follow the reasoning without guessing how one sentence connects to another.

The state of a paragraph in which every sentence develops one controlling idea. Sentences that wander to other topics break unity and usually belong in a different paragraph.

Arranging ideas by the order in which events happen in time, often signalled by words like first, next, then, and finally. Useful for narratives and step-by-step explanations.

Arranging supporting points from least to most significant, or the reverse, so the strongest evidence lands where readers will notice it most.

The opening section of an essay that engages the reader, supplies needed background, and presents the thesis. It sets expectations for everything that follows.

The closing section that restates the main point in fresh words, ties the supporting ideas together, and leaves the reader with a final thought rather than new evidence.

A sentence or fact that does not support the paragraph's main point. Removing it strengthens the writing because it sharpens the focus on what matters.

Expressing an idea in the fewest words that still convey the full meaning. Concise writing removes filler and repetition without dropping necessary information.

Using more words than an idea requires, often through padded phrases such as due to the fact that. Wordy sentences tire readers and can bury the main point.

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action, as in the committee approved the plan. Active voice is usually clearer and more direct than passive voice.

A construction in which the subject receives the action, as in the plan was approved by the committee. Use it when the doer is unknown or less important than the action.

Giving items in a list or comparison the same grammatical form, such as all verbs or all noun phrases. Parallelism makes sentences balanced and easy to read.

A writer's choice of words. Diction should suit the audience and purpose, stay consistent in tone, and avoid wording that is vague or misleading.

The attitude a writer conveys toward the subject and audience, such as serious, friendly, or critical. Tone comes through in word choice, sentence length, and level of formality.

Language suited to academic or professional writing that avoids slang, contractions, and casual expressions. Register should match the audience and the purpose of the piece.

Mixing sentence lengths and structures so prose does not fall into a monotonous rhythm. Varied sentences hold attention and clarify which ideas are main and which are secondary.

Repeating the same meaning twice, as in return back or each and every. Cutting redundant words tightens prose, though deliberate repetition can sometimes emphasize a point.

An expression worn out from overuse, such as at the end of the day. Clichés make writing feel stale, so replacing them with fresh, specific wording is stronger.

Joining two or more short, choppy sentences into one smoother sentence using coordination or subordination, while keeping the original meaning and emphasis intact.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number: singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. Phrases between them do not change the subject's number.

The rule that a pronoun must match the noun it refers to in number and gender, so a singular antecedent takes a singular pronoun such as it or he or she.

Choosing the correct pronoun form for its job in the sentence: subject forms such as I, he, and they; object forms such as me, him, and them; and possessive forms such as my, his, and their.

Joining two complete sentences with only a comma. Fix it with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction such as and or but.

Two or more complete sentences fused together without correct punctuation or a conjunction. It forces readers to guess where one idea ends and the next begins.

A group of words punctuated as a sentence but lacking a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. Fragments can be attached to a nearby sentence or expanded into a full one.

A punctuation mark that separates two closely related complete sentences or items in a complex list. It signals a stronger pause than a comma but a weaker one than a period.

The mark used to show ownership: add apostrophe s to a singular noun and usually just an apostrophe to a plural ending in s. Apostrophes also mark contractions.

A clause that adds extra information about a noun but is not needed to identify it. It is set off by commas, unlike a restrictive clause that narrows the meaning.

Keeping verbs in the same tense unless a shift in time is genuinely intended. Unintended shifts leave readers unsure about when events occur.

An introductory phrase that does not clearly attach to the noun it describes, as in walking home, the rain began. Rewriting so the doer is named fixes the problem.

One of two or more words that sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning, such as their, there, and they're. Choosing the wrong one is a common editing error.