Composition writing terms

blending concrete details and commentary in a body paragraph

one sentence of concrete detail and two sentences of commentary. Smallest unified group of thoughts that you can write.

written responses and reactions to your partners papers

the final version of your essay

the first version of your essay (rough draft)

the step that follows Prewriting and before the 1st draft of an essay, it is an outline of your thesis, topic sentences, concrete details, and commentary ideas.

the last sentence in a body paragraph. It is all commentary, does not repeat keywords, provides closure.

the first sentence in a body paragraph. This must have a subject and opinion (commentary). It does the same thing for a body paragraph that the thesis does for the whole essay.

your opinion or comment about something, not concrete detail. Synonyms: opinion, insight, analysis, interpretation, inference, personal response, evaluation, explication, and reflection.

specific details that form the backbone or core of your body paragraphs. Synonyms----> facts, specific examples, descriptions, illustrations, support, proof, evidence, quotations, and reference to the plot.

the process of getting your concrete details down on paper before you organize your essay into paragraphs. You can use any or all of the following: bubble clusters, Venn Diagram outlines, concept maps, columns, lists

a sentence with a subject and an opinion. A statement is a sentence that can be true or false.

the last paragraph in your essay. It may sum up your ideas, reflect on what you said in your essay, provide more commentary, or give a personal statement. Your conclusion is all commentary and does not include concrete detail. It does not repeat key words from your paper and especially not from your thesis and introductory paragraph. It brings closure to your essay.

a middle paragraph in an essay. It develops a point you want to make that supports your thesis.

the first paragraph in an essay. It includes the thesis, most often at the end.

a piece of writing that gives your thoughts (commentary) about a subject. Essays you write for this class/unit will have an introduction, at least 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.