NSSCAS English First Language 8167 flashcards
NSSCAS English First Language 8167 · Build recall with a focused review session.
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- Comma splice
- A punctuation error where two independent clauses are joined only by a comma; fix with a semicolon, conjunction, or full stop.
- Semicolon use
- A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction, or separates items in a complex list.
- Colon function
- A colon introduces a list, an explanation, or a quotation; it must follow an independent clause.
- Its vs it's
- 'Its' is possessive (e.g., its colour); 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'.
- Subject-verb agreement
- A verb must agree in number with its subject; singular subjects take singular verbs, plural take plural, ignoring intervening phrases.
- Parallel structure
- Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison, e.g., 'to read, to write, and to edit'.
- Register
- The level of formality in language, adjusted according to audience and purpose, from informal to formal.
- Tone
- The writer's attitude towards the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and style.
- Diction
- The choice and use of words in speech or writing, affecting tone, clarity, and effect.
- Metalanguage
- Language used to talk about language itself, such as 'metaphor', 'syntax', or 'rhetorical question'.
- Irony
- A gap between what is said and what is meant, or between expectation and reality, often used for emphasis or humour.
- Hyperbole
- Deliberate exaggeration for effect, not meant to be taken literally, e.g., 'I've told you a million times'.
- Simile
- A figure of speech comparing two things using 'like' or 'as', e.g., 'as brave as a lion'.
- Metaphor
- A figure of speech stating one thing is another, without 'like' or 'as', e.g., 'the world is a stage'.
- Personification
- Giving human qualities to non-human things, e.g., 'the wind whispered through the trees'.
- Juxtaposition
- Placing two contrasting ideas or images side by side to highlight their differences and create effect.
- Rhetorical question
- A question asked for effect, not requiring an answer, used to engage or persuade the reader.
- Connotation
- The emotional or cultural associations a word carries, beyond its literal meaning.
- Denotation
- The literal or dictionary meaning of a word, without emotional associations.
- Summary skills
- Selecting key points, paraphrasing concisely, and writing in continuous prose without lifting long phrases.
- Selective retrieval
- Scanning a text for specific information requested by a question, ignoring irrelevant details.
- Paraphrasing
- Restating information in your own words while retaining the original meaning, without copying phrases.
- Word limit
- A maximum number of words allowed for a response; exceeding it may result in penalty or truncation.
- Connectives
- Words or phrases that link ideas and sentences, such as 'however', 'furthermore', 'therefore'.
- Formal letter conventions
- Include sender's address, date, recipient's address, 'Dear Sir/Madam', formal tone, and 'Yours faithfully'.
- Speech conventions
- Direct address to audience, rhetorical questions, inclusive pronouns, and a clear call to action.
- Article conventions
- A headline, possibly subheadings, an engaging opening, and a clear structure with paragraphs.
- Audience awareness
- Adjusting vocabulary, tone, and content to suit the intended reader's knowledge and expectations.
- Persuasive devices
- Techniques like rule of three, emotive language, anecdote, and statistics used to convince the reader.
- Narrative arc
- The structure of a story: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
- Show, don't tell
- A writing technique using sensory detail and action to convey emotion, rather than stating it directly.
- Argumentative structure
- A clear thesis, logical paragraphs with claims and evidence, and acknowledgement of counterarguments.