Critical Thinking and Academic Writing Flashcards

What is a 'counterargument' and why is it important in academic writing?

Answer: An opposing view that the writer acknowledges and refutes to strengthen the argument

Addressing counterarguments shows intellectual honesty and strengthens an essay by demonstrating the writer has considered and can refute opposing views.

Which of the following best defines 'plagiarism' in a US academic context?

Answer: Presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own without attribution

Plagiarism is the use of another's intellectual property—words, ideas, or data—without proper attribution, and is a serious academic integrity violation.

What is the 'rhetorical triangle' in composition theory?

Answer: The relationship among ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic)

Aristotle's rhetorical triangle describes the three persuasive appeals—ethos, pathos, and logos—that writers use to communicate effectively with an audience.

What distinguishes a 'peer-reviewed' source from a general internet source?

Answer: It has been evaluated by experts in the field before publication

Peer-reviewed (refereed) sources have undergone expert evaluation by scholars in the relevant field, ensuring academic rigor and credibility.

In the writing process, what does 'revision' specifically involve?

Answer: Rethinking and restructuring ideas, arguments, and organization at a higher level

Revision is a higher-order process focused on improving the substance, logic, structure, and clarity of an essay, distinct from surface-level proofreading.

What is an 'annotated bibliography'?

Answer: A list of sources each followed by a brief summary and evaluation

An annotated bibliography provides a citation for each source followed by a short annotation that summarizes the source and evaluates its relevance and credibility.