Test your basic knowledge |

Writing Essays

Subject : writing-skills
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Sentences and paragraphs ordered by importance






2. Identify the content of the piece - set limits on the topic - communicate the dominant impression you want your essay to make - grab the reader's attention






3. Proofread for grammar and spelling erros - for coherence...






4. Invites the reader the consider a new idea or question that has appeared as a result of your argument






5. Explains somrthing with fact; as aposed to opinion






6. The writer's attitude toward the subject and the audience; set in your introduction paragraph






7. Last sentence of introduction - bold - noticeable - obrious - states main ideas of essay






8. Suppresses the author's tone so the reader can focus on the material






9. _______ ( Commentaries) - explains the significance of your basic assertion - how your argument can apply to a larger concept






10. _________ is very important for a good essay






11. Consists of: specific instances - evidence - expert's opinions/events from text - statistics - direct quotations






12. Listing/Brainstorming - Diagraming/Clustering - Free writing






13. Notes that tell the original source of words/ideas that you have used in your essay or report






14. To Whom it May Concern - Sincerely - [only if you are writing a letter!]






15. Mainly for enjoyment






16. Last paragraph - finishing touches - wraps up - summarizes - closure - last paragraph of the essay - e.g. - restate your thesis - 'so what?' - 'connecting to a course theme' - 'posing a new question'






17. Topic sentence - supporting details - clincher






18. An _________ thesis/topic sentence: cannot be a statement of plot or fact - must be a claim that can be argued and defended with evidence






19. Use ________ for: short stories - poems - songs






20. Last sentence of body paragraphs [reconnect the reason with your overall argument.]






21. 3 traits of a good reason: cannot be _______ - considers its audience - can be supported by facts and details






22. Author's last name and page number in parentheses following the quotation/paraphrase before period






23. State the _________: E.g. I am writing in regards to your consideration of






24. Use _________: metaphor - hyperbole - bandwagon






25. Alphabetical list of sources; at the end of the report






26. Third person






27. Supporting facts - examples - details






28. _____________ titles of (long pieces) works that have been published and created by someone else






29. Rewrite an authors idea in your own words






30. A guide for using certain words - sentences - and for all other important elements of an essay - e.g. MLA - AP - Chicago Manual






31. Defend your side of an argument; must have facts; used in debates






32. State your ______: E.g. I support this idea or I disagree with this idea






33. Each body paragraph ends with a special sentence that restates the main idea






34. Topic sentence - states ;main idea - bold - noticeable - obrious - R/A






35. Ideas are logically organized - and smoothly connected






36. Topic sentence - states main idea - bold - noticeable - obvious - R/A - special setence






37. At least 5 minutes to develop 3 good reasons or points - one for each paragraph






38. Leads into works of others - and asks you to compare their thoughts to you own; Find other text on the subject and use them to support the topic you've been given






39. Exploring the meaning and construction of a piece of literature - more attention to the specifics - thoughts of the critics






40. An essay has this many paragraphs






41. Each body paragraph is developed or supported using






42. Highly organized - formulaic - 5 paragraphs - expository/informational - repetitive






43. 4 ways theses should not be in your paragraph: Too narrow - Too bold - State ___________ - Dont announce what you are writing about






44. First paragraph - should catch the reader's attention and introduce the essay topic






45. A sentence that supports or develops a single controlling idea - supports an essay's thesis statement - unifies the content of a paragraph - directs the order of the sentences






46. Supporting facts - examples - details






47. Footnotes - Endnotes - parenthetical citation






48. Use ________: questions that proves your point [E.g.: 'If there was a fire - wouldn't you want to get in contact with your children ASAP?' So...the reader IS FORCED to see how having cell phones in school could be beneficial.]






49. Every paragraph is related to the theses statement






50. Explains how or why evidence proves your thesis - connection between evidence and main argument - directly explains how/why your evidence supports your thesis