NM-MSSA Writing Conventions 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a thesis statement?
- The main argument or claim of an essay (Correct answer)
- The first sentence of any paragraph
- A quotation from a source
- The bibliography
Correct answer: The main argument or claim of an essay
A thesis statement presents the central argument that the entire essay supports and develops.
Question 2: Which sentence is a run-on?
- I went to the store I bought milk. (Correct answer)
- I went to the store, and I bought milk.
- I went to the store.
- After going to the store, I bought milk.
Correct answer: I went to the store I bought milk.
A run-on sentence joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunction.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a topic sentence?
- To introduce the main idea of a paragraph (Correct answer)
- To conclude an essay
- To cite sources
- To provide transitions only
Correct answer: To introduce the main idea of a paragraph
A topic sentence states the main point of its paragraph, letting readers know what the paragraph will be about.
Question 4: What is parallel structure in writing?
- Using the same grammatical form for similar ideas in a series (Correct answer)
- Writing sentences of equal length
- Using the same words repeatedly
- Starting every paragraph the same way
Correct answer: Using the same grammatical form for similar ideas in a series
Parallel structure means expressing similar ideas using consistent grammatical patterns for clarity and rhythm.
Question 5: When should you use a semicolon?
- To join two closely related independent clauses (Correct answer)
- To introduce a list
- To end a question
- Before every conjunction
Correct answer: To join two closely related independent clauses
Semicolons connect two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning, without using a conjunction.
Question 6: What is the difference between 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're'?
- 'Their' is possessive, 'there' is location, 'they're' is 'they are' (Correct answer)
- They all mean the same thing
- 'There' is possessive, 'their' is location
- 'They're' is past tense of 'they'
Correct answer: 'Their' is possessive, 'there' is location, 'they're' is 'they are'
'Their' shows possession (their book), 'there' indicates location (over there), and 'they're' is a contraction of 'they are.'
NM-MSSA Writing Conventions 1
What is a thesis statement?