Writing and Composition Flashcards

A student wants to write an opinion piece about school lunch menus. What should the student do FIRST?

Answer: State their opinion clearly and identify reasons to support it

Before drafting an opinion piece, a writer must establish their position and plan the supporting reasons.

Which of the following best describes a thesis statement?

Answer: A sentence that states the central argument or purpose of an essay

A thesis statement is a single sentence that clearly expresses the main argument or purpose the essay will develop.

When revising a draft, a student should focus on:

Answer: Improving ideas, organization, and clarity

Revision focuses on strengthening the content, structure, and clarity of writing, not just surface-level errors.

In a compare-and-contrast essay, which organizational structure presents all details about Topic A before discussing Topic B?

Answer: Block structure

Block structure organizes a compare-and-contrast essay by discussing everything about one topic first, then everything about the other.

A student ends an essay with: 'In conclusion, as I said before, dogs are good pets.' What is the weakness of this conclusion?

Answer: It simply repeats the introduction without synthesizing ideas or leaving a lasting impression

An effective conclusion should synthesize the essay's ideas and leave the reader with a meaningful takeaway, not just restate the introduction.

Which of the following is an example of a primary source a student might cite in a research report about the Florida environment?

Answer: A scientist's original research journal documenting water quality measurements

A primary source is original, firsthand material such as original research data, diaries, or eyewitness accounts.