English Composition and Writing Flashcards

Which sentence demonstrates correct use of a semicolon?

Answer: She studied all night; consequently, she passed the exam.

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially when followed by a conjunctive adverb like 'consequently.'

In academic writing, what is the primary purpose of a counterargument?

Answer: To acknowledge opposing views and strengthen the writer's credibility

Addressing counterarguments demonstrates critical thinking and builds the writer's credibility by showing awareness of multiple perspectives.

Which of the following is an example of an appeal to ethos?

Answer: As a licensed physician with 20 years of experience, I recommend this treatment.

Ethos appeals to the writer's or speaker's credibility and authority, as demonstrated by citing professional credentials.

What does 'parallel structure' require in a sentence?

Answer: Coordinated elements must use the same grammatical form

Parallel structure means that items in a series or coordinated elements share the same grammatical form (e.g., all nouns, all gerunds).

A student writes: 'The committee have made their decision.' This sentence reflects which style convention?

Answer: British English, which may treat collective nouns as plural

British English often treats collective nouns like 'committee' as plural, while American English treats them as singular.

Which revision best corrects this dangling modifier: 'Running to the bus, my backpack fell off.'?

Answer: Running to the bus, I dropped my backpack.

A dangling modifier is fixed by ensuring the subject performing the action (I) immediately follows the modifying phrase.

In MLA format, how should a direct quotation of more than four lines be formatted?

Answer: Set as a block quotation, indented one inch, with no quotation marks

MLA style requires prose quotations longer than four lines to be formatted as block quotations, indented one inch from the left margin, without quotation marks.