View source for Glencoe Writer's Choice Grammar and Composition (Grade 12)

[[Glencoe Writer's Choice Grammar and Composition (Grade 12)]] is the textbook for Grade 12 published by McGraw-Hill Glencoe in  2009.

*[[Abstract noun]]. See Noun.
*[[Action verb]]. See Verb.
*[[Active voice]]. The form of a verb used when the subject of the sentence performs the action.
*[[Adjective]]. A word that modifies a noun or pronoun by limiting its meaning. An adjective may tell what kind, which one, how many, or how much. Adjectives appear in various positions in a sentence
*[[Adjective clause]]. A dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. See also Clause.
*[[Adverb]]. A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb by making its meaning more specific. Adverbs answer the questions How? When? Where? and To what degree? Certain adverbs of time, place, and degree have a negative meaning. (She never saw the car.) Some adverbs have different forms to indicate degree of comparison
*[[Adverb clause]]. A dependent clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. See also Clause.
*[[Allusion]]. A reference to a well-known person, place, event, or creative work.
*[[Analogy]]. A comparison based on a similarity between things that are otherwise dissimilar.
*[[Analysis]]. The process of taking apart, examining, and explaining a topic, a piece of literature, or a media presentation.
*[[Anecdote]]. A short written or oral account of an event.
*[[Antecedent]]. See Pronoun.
*[[Appositive]]. A noun or a pronoun placed next to another noun or pronoun that further identifies or give additional information about it. (My friend Kathy has freckles.) An essential, or restrictive, appositive is a word or phrase that is needed to make the meaning of a sentence clear. If the appositive is not needed for clarity, it is nonessential or nonrestrictive.
*[[Argument]]. A statement, reason, or fact for or against a point; a type of persuasive writing in which logic or reason is used to try to influence a reader.
*[[Article]]. The adjectives a, an, and the. Indefinite articles a and an refer to one of a general group of persons, places, or things. The definite article the indicates that the noun is a specific person, place, or thing.
*[[Atmosphere]]. The general mood, or emotional quality, of a literary work. Authors create atmosphere primarily through details of setting, such as time, place, and weather.
*[[Audience]]. The reader, listener, or viewer for whom writing and other forms of communication are intended.
*[[Author's purpose]]. An author's intent in writing a literary work. Typical purposes are to persuade, to instruct, to inform or explain, to entertain, to describe, or to tell a story.
*[[Autobiography]]. A person's account of his or her own life.
*[[Auxiliary verb]]. See Verb.
*[[Bias]]. An inclination to present a settled and often prejudiced or narrow outlook on a subject.
*[[Bibliography]]. A list of writings or other sources used as reference for a work.
*[[Biography]]. A nonfiction account of a person's life written by someone other than the subject.
*[[Body]]. The main part of a piece of writing; the section in which ideas are developed.
*[[Bookmarks]]/[[Favorites]]. The feature on many Web browsers that allows the user to save addresses of Internet sites so that the sites can be accessed quickly.
*[[Brainstorming]]. Surfacing ideas by listing all that come to mind without evaluating them.
*[[Case]]. The form of a noun or pronoun that is determined by its use in a sentence. A noun or pronoun is in the nominative case when it is used as a subject or after a linking verb, in the objective case when it is used as an object, and in the possessive case when it is used to show possession.
*[[Cause and effect]]. An organizational technique that presents events and conditions as reason and result, motive and reaction, or stimulus and response.
*[[Characterization]]. The methods used by a writer to reveal the personality of a character.
*[[Chronological order]]. An organizational technique that presents events in time sequence.
*[[Clarity]]. The quality of a piece of writing that makes it easy to understand.
*[[Classification]]. Any method of grouping according to a common principle or characteristic.
*[[Clause]]. A group of words that has a subject and a predicate and that is used as part of a sentence. A main, or independent, clause has a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a sentence. A subordinate, or dependent, clause has a subject and a predicate, but it cannot stand alone as a sentence. A subordinate clause may be an adjective, adverb, or noun clause. An elliptical clause is an adverb clause in which words have been omitted but are clearly implied. (An elephant can run faster than you [can run].) An essential, or restrictive, clause is a clause that is needed to make the meaning of a sentence clear. If the clause is not needed for clarity, it is nonessential or nonrestrictive.
*[[Cliché]]. An expression that has lost its impact through overuse.
*[[Climax]]. The point of greatest emotional intensity, interest, or suspense in the plot of a narrative. See also Plot.
*[[Clustering]]. A technique for generating writing ideas, which involves writing a word, circling it, and surrounding it with other words and phrases.
*[[Coherence]]. The quality of a paragraph or composition in which sentences are clearly and logically connected; also called cohesiveness.
*[[Cohesive writing]]. A type of writing in which sentences and paragraphs are logically connected to one another.
*[[Collaboration]]. Working with others on a common project.
*[[Collective noun]]. See Noun.
*[[Colloquial language]]. Informal, conversational speech.
*[[Common noun]]. See Noun.
*[[Comparative degree]]. See Adjective; Adverb.
*[[Comparison and contrast]]. The technique that measures items against one another and shows similarities and differences.
*[[Complement]]. A word or phrase that completes the meaning of the verb in a sentence. The four basic kinds of complements are direct objects, indirect objects, object complements, and subject complements.
*[[Complex sentence]]. See Sentence.
*[[Compound sentence]]. See Sentence.
*[[Compound-complex sentence]]. See Sentence.
*[[Conceptual map]]. A graphic device that develops a central concept by surrounding it with examples or related ideas in a weblike arrangement.
*[[Conclusion]]. A restatement or summing up of the ideas in a composition that brings it to a definite close; also a judgement or decision.
*[[Conflict]]. A struggle between opposing forces. An external conflict pits a character against an outside force, such as another person, nature, a physical obstacle, or a cultural expectation. An internal conflict occurs within a character and may involve a decision to be made or a challenge to be faced and overcome.
*[[Conjunction]]. A word that joins single words or groups of words. A coordinating conjunction joins words or groups of words that are equal in grammatical importance. Correlative conjunctions, such as both . . . and, just . . . so, not only . . . but also, either... or, neither . . . nor, whether . . . or, work in pairs to join words and groups of words of equal importance. A subordinating conjunction joins a dependent idea or clause to a main clause.
*[[Conjunctive adverb]]. An adverb used to clarify the relationship between clauses of a compound sentence. (however, consequently) Conjunctive adverbs have several uses: to replace and, to replace but, to state a result, to state equality.
*[[Connotation]]. The thoughts and feelings associated with a word apart from the dictionary definition of the word.
*[[Constructive criticism]]. Comments on another person's writing made with the intention of helping the writer improve a particular draft.
*[[Context]]. The setting or situation in which an action takes place; also, in reading, the words and sentences that come before and after a specific word and help to explain its meaning.
*[[Conventions]]. Correct spelling, grammar, usage, and mechanics.
*[[Coordinating conjunction]]. See Conjunction.
*[[Correlative conjunction]]. See Conjunction.
*[[Credibility]]. The quality of a speaker or writer that makes that person's words believable.
*[[Criticism]]. An analysis or evaluation of something, based on clear reasons and/or examples.
*[[Culture]]. The attitudes, beliefs, and customs of any group, usually developed over a period of time.
*[[Deductive reasoning]]. A way of thinking or explaining that begins with a general statement or principle and applies that principle to specific instances.
*[[Definite article]]. See Article.
*[[Demonstrative pronoun]]. See Pronoun.
*[[Denotation]]. The dictionary definition of a word.
*[[Dénouement]]. See Plot.
*[[Dependent clause]]. See Clause.
*[[Descriptive writing]]. Writing that uses sensory details to convey a dominant impression of, for example, a setting, a person, an animal, and so on.
*[[Desktop publishing]]. The preparation of a text by formatting it on a computer and printing it out for presentation. Additional computergenerated information (such as graphs, photographs, and diagrams) may be included to enhance the written text.
*[[Dialect]]. A way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region or group of people.
*[[Dialogue]]. Conversation between characters.
*[[Diction]]. A writer's choice of words to convey meaning. Writers choose their words carefully to express meaning precisely.
*[[Direct object]]. See Complement.
*[[Documentation]]. Identification of the sources used in writing research or other informative papers, usually in the form of endnotes or footnotes, or using parenthetical documentation.
*[[Drafting]]. One of the steps in the writing process; the organization and wording of a piece of writing. A writer may make many drafts before producing a final product.
*[[Drama]]. A story intended to be performed by actors for an audience.
*[[Editing]]. A step in the writing process that prepares material for presentation. The revised draft is checked for standard usage, varied sentence structure, and appropriate word choice.
*[[Editorial]]. A newspaper or magazine article that expresses the personal ideas and opinions of the writer.
*[[Effective listening]]. Listening that includes careful evaluation and critique of an oral presentation.
*[[Elaboration]]. The use of facts, details, anecdote, quotations, or examples to develop an idea or support a statement.
*[[Ellipses]]. Punctuation used to indicate the omission of words within a text. A series of evenly-spaced periods ( . . . ) is the common punctuation used.
*[[E-mail]]. Short for electronic mail; messages, usually text, sent from one person to another by way of computer.
*[[Empathy]]. An individual's close identification with a person, place, or thing, as when audience members experience the same emotions as a character in a play.
*[[Emphatic form]]. See Verb tense.
*[[Essay]]. A short piece of nonfiction writing in which the author presents his or her view on a particular topic.
*[[Essential clause]]. A subordinate clause that cannot be omitted without changing the intended meaning of a sentence.
*[[Evaluation]]. Making a judgment about the strengths and weaknesses of a draft in content, organization, and style.
*[[Exposition]]. See Plot.
*[[Expository writing]]. Writing that informs an audience by presenting information and explaining concepts and ideas; also called informative or explanatory writing.
*[[External conflict]]. See Conflict.
*[[Falling action]]. See Plot.
*[[Feedback]]. The response a listener or reader gives a speaker or writer about his or her work.
*[[Fiction]]. A narrative in which situations and characters are invented by the writer.
*[[Figurative language]]. Forms of language used for descriptive effect and not meant to be interpreted literally -- often to imply ideas indirectly.
*[[Figure of speech]]. A specific device or kind of figurative language such as metaphor, personification, simile, or symbol.
*[[First-person point of view]]. See Point of view.
*[[Foreshadowing]]. The author's use of hints or clues to prepare readers for events that will happen later in a narrative.
*[[Formal language]]. Language that uses correct grammar and omits slang expressions and contractions. It is especially common in nonfiction writing that is not personal.
*[[Freewriting]]. A way of identifying ideas or topics by writing for a specific length of time without stopping or limiting the flow of ideas.
*[[Gender-neutral language]]. Language that avoids sexism by using inclusive terms.
*[[Generalization]]. A statement that presents a conclusion about a subject without going into details or specifics. See Overgeneralization.
*[[Genre]]. A division or type of literature. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama are examples of genres. Each of these is further divided into subgenres.
*[[Gerund]]. A verb form that ends in -ing and is used as a noun.
*[[Glittering generality]]. An attractive claim based on insufficient evidence.
*[[Graphic organizer]]. A visual way of organizing information; types of graphic organizers include graphs, outlines, charts, tables, webs or clusters, and diagrams.
*[[Home page]]. The location on a Web site by which a user normally enters the site. A typical home page may explain the site, summarize the content, and provide links to other sites.
*[[Hyperlink]]. A button or a highlighted or underlined phrase or word on a Web page that, when clicked, moves the user to another part of the page or to another Web page.
*[[Hypertext]]. Links in some text that can be clicked with a mouse to take the user to another document or to a different section in the same document.
*[[Ideas]]. In writing, the message or theme and the details that elaborate upon that message or theme.
*[[Idiom]]. A word or phrase that has a special meaning different from its standard or dictionary meaning. (In the same boat is an idiom that means "having the same problem.")
*[[Imagery]]. The word pictures that writers create to evoke an emotional response in readers. In creating effective images, writers use sensory details to help readers see, hear, feel, smell, and taste the scenes described in the work.
*[[Imperative mood]]. See Mood of a verb.
*[[Independent clause]]. See Clause.
*[[Indicative mood]]. See Mood of a verb.
*[[Indirect object]]. See Complement.
*[[Inductive reasoning]]. A way of thinking or explaining that uses specific facts to draw a general conclusion.
*[[Infinitive]]. A verb form that begins with the word to and functions as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb in a sentence.
*[[Intensifier]]. An adverb that emphasizes an adjective or another adverb. (very important, quite easily)
*[[Intensive pronoun]]. See Pronoun.
*[[Interjection]]. A word or phrase that expresses emotion or exclamation. An interjection has no grammatical connection to other words.
*[[Internal conflict]]. See Conflict.
*[[Internet]]. A worldwide computer network that allows users to link to any computer on the network electronically for social, commercial, research, and other uses.
*[[Interpretation]]. An explanation of the meaning of something.
*[[Interrogative pronoun]]. See Pronoun.
*[[Intransitive verb]]. See Verb.
*[[Introduction]]. Part of a written or oral work that identifies the subject, gives a general idea of what the body of the composition will contain, sets the tone, and may provide other information necessary for the audience.
*[[Inverted order]]. A sentence in which the predicate comes before the subject. Questions, or interrogative sentences, are generally written in inverted order.
*[[Jargon]]. Terminology peculiar to a specific profession, trade, or other group of people.
*[[Journal]]. A daily record of events kept by a participant in those events or a witness to them; also a personal notebook for freewriting, collecting ideas, and recording thoughts and experiences.
*[[Learning log]]. A type of journal used for recording, questioning, and evaluating information.
*[[Lexicon]]. A wordbook or dictionary.
*[[Listening strategies]]. Techniques that include analysis, evaluation, and identification of oral material.
*[[Literary criticism]]. A type of writing in which the writer analyzes and evaluates a work or works of literature.
*[[Logic]]. The process of clear and organized thinking that leads to a reasonable conclusion. See also Logical fallacy.
*[[Logical fallacy]]. An argument that seems to be plausible but which uses an invalid inference.
*[[Main clause]]. See Clause.
*[[Manual of style]]. Any one of several texts published to inform writers of the conventions of style.
*[[Mechanics]]. In writing, the use of punctuation and capitalization.
*[[Media]]. A plural term used to refer to methods of communication such as newspapers, magazines, television, and radio. The singular form, medium, may be defined as "a means by which something is conveyed."
*[[Memoir]]. A type of narrative nonfiction that presents the story of a period in the writer's life and is usually written from the first-person point of view. A memoir may emphasize the impact of significant historical events on the writer's life.
*[[Memorandum]]. A short written reminder commonly referred to as a memo.
*[[Metaphor]]. A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things. A metaphor does not use words such as like or as.
*[[Mood of a verb]]. The indicative mood makes a statement or asks a question. The imperative mood expresses a command or makes a request. The subjunctive mood expresses a formal demand, suggestion, or statement of necessity. The subjunctive mood may also state a condition or wish that is contrary to fact.
*[[Multimedia presentation]]. The presentation of a piece of writing accompanied by other media, such as video, music, and visual art.
*[[Narrative writing]]. A type of writing that tells about events or actions as they change over a period of time and often includes story elements such as character, setting, and plot.
*[[Nominative pronoun]]. See Pronoun case.
*[[Nonessential clause]]. A clause that adds information but is not absolutely needed to express the meaning of the sentence.
*[[Nonfiction]]. Literature that deals with real people, events, and experiences. Among the categories of nonfiction are biographies, autobiographies, and essays.
*[[Nonverbal strategies]]. Techniques of a speaker to get across ideas in ways other than by the use of words. Gestures, body language, and facial expression are common strategies used by speakers.
*[[Noun]]. A word that names a person, place, thing, quality, characteristic, or idea. An abstract noun names an idea, a quality, or a characteristic. A collective noun names a group of people or things. A common noun names a general type of person, place, thing, idea, characteristic, or quality. A proper noun names a particular person, place, thing, or idea.
*[[Noun clause]]. A dependent clause that functions as a noun. See also Clause.
*[[Number]]. The form of a noun, pronoun, or verb that indicates whether it refers to one (singular) or to more than one (plural).
*[[Objective pronoun]]. See Pronoun case.
*[[Omniscient point of view]]. See Point of view.
*[[Oral tradition]]. Literature that passes by word of mouth from one generation to the next and perpetuates history and values of a culture.
*[[Order of importance]]. A way of organizing details in a paragraph or composition from least to most or most to least important.
*[[Organization]]. The arrangement of the main points and supporting details in a piece of writing; the internal structure of a piece of writing.
*[[Outline]]. A condensed arrangement of main topics and supporting ideas, usually including numbered words or phrases in a logical sequence.
*[[Overgeneralization]]. Drawing a broad conclusion that is not supported by facts. See also Generalization and Deductive reasoning.
*[[Paragraph]]. A unit of writing that consists of related sentences.
*[[Parallelism]]. The use of a series of words, phrases, or sentences that have similar grammatical form.
*[[Paraphrase]]. A restatement of a passage in different words that retains the meaning, tone, and general length of the original.
*[[Parenthetical documentation]]. A specific reference to the source of a piece of information; it is placed in parentheses directly after the information appears in a piece of writing.
*[[Participle]]. A verb form that can function as an adjective. Present participles always end in -ing. Past participles often end in -ed but can take other forms as well.
*[[Parody]]. The imitative use of the style, tone, and ideas of an author for the purpose of comic effect or ridicule.
*[[Passive voice]]. The form of a verb used when the subject of the sentence receives the action of the verb.
*[[Peer response]]. The suggestions and comments provided by peers, or classmates, about a piece of writing or another type of presentation.
*[[Personal pronoun]]. See Pronoun.
*[[Personal writing]]. Writing that expresses the writer's thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
*[[Persuasive writing]]. Writing, usually nonfiction, that seeks to move the reader to the author's viewpoint by one or more means, such as logic, emotion, entreaty, or salesmanship.
*[[Phrase]]. A group of words that functions as a unit in a sentence. A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object and can function as an adjective or adverb. A verb phrase consists of one or more auxiliary verbs followed by a main verb.
*[[Plagiarism]]. The presentation of another's words or ideas as one's own; the use of material without crediting the source or without the permission of the original creator or owner of the work.
*[[Plot]]. The sequence of events in a narrative work. The plot begins with the exposition, or the introduction of the characters, the setting, and the conflict. The rising action adds complications to the conflict, leading to the climax, or emotional high point. The climax gives way rapidly to its logical result in the falling action, and finally to the resolution, or dénouement, in which the final outcome is revealed.
*[[Point of view]]. The relationship of the narrator to the story. Most writing is written from the first-person, third-person limited, or thirdperson omniscient point of view.
*[[Portfolio]]. A set of creative works representing the achievements of a writer or artist.
*[[Positive degree]]. See Adjective and Adverb.
*[[Predicate]]. The part of a sentence that expresses the essential thought about the subject of the sentence; includes the simple predicate (the key verb or verb phrase) and all the words that modify it.
*[[Preposition]]. A word that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to some other word in the sentence.
*[[Prepositional phrase]]. See Phrase.
*[[Presentation]]. The way words and design elements look on the page.
*[[Presenting]]/[[Publishing]]. The final step in the writing process; the presentation of the finished work. Any method of sharing a completed piece of writing is a form of presenting.
*[[Prewriting]]. Gathering information, checking facts, and organizing and discussing the substance of a planned work are among the steps used by writers in the prewriting phase.
*[[Primary source]]. Original documents such as letters, newspaper or magazine articles, interviews, or historical documents from a specific time period.
*[[Problem solving]]. The use of skills to identify a problem, list possible solutions, and determine an action.
*[[Progressive form]]. See Verb tense.
*[[Pronoun]]. A word that takes the place of a noun, a group of words acting as a noun, or another pronoun. The word or group of words that a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent. A demonstrative pronoun points out specific persons, places, things, or ideas. An indefinite pronoun refers to persons, places, or things in a more general way than a noun does. An intensive pronoun has the same form as a reflexive pronoun. An intensive pronoun adds emphasis to another noun or pronoun. An interrogative pronoun is used to form questions. A personal pronoun refers to a specific person or thing. A reflexive pronoun reflects back to a noun or pronoun used earlier in the sentence, indicating that the same person or thing is involved. (I will admire myself in the mirror.) A relative pronoun is used to begin a subordinate clause.
*[[Pronoun case]]. The form of a pronoun that is determined by its use in a sentence. Personal pronouns may be in the nominative, objective, or possessive case, depending upon their function in a sentence. See also Case.
*[[Proofreading]]. The last part of the editing process that involves checking work to discover typographical and spelling errors.
*[[Propaganda]]. The spreading of information for the purpose of influencing thoughts and actions to help or harm a group, idea, or person.
*[[Proper noun]]. See Noun.
*[[Prose]]. Writing distinguished from poetry by its similarity to the diction and rhythms of ordinary speech.
*[[Publishing]]. The presentation to an audience of a creative work in its final form.
*[[Purpose]]. The aim of writing, which may be to express, discover, record, develop, reflect on ideas, problem solve, entertain, influence, inform, or describe.
*[[Reflection]]. The careful consideration of an idea or creative work.
*[[Relative pronoun]]. See Pronoun.
*[[Representation]]. A way in which information or ideas are presented to an audience; a dramatic or artistic presentation.
*[[Research]]. The action of locating information on a topic from a variety of reputable sources.
*[[Resolution]]. See Plot.
*[[Résumé]]. A written summary of one's education and work experience.
*[[Revising]]. The stage of the writing process in which a writer goes over a draft, evaluating the writing for clarity, purpose, and suitability to the audience, and making changes in content, organization, and style in order to improve it. Revision techniques include adding, elaborating, deleting, combining, and rearranging text.
*[[Rhetoric]]. The art of using language to present facts and ideas in order to persuade.
*[[Rising action]]. See Plot.
*[[Root]]. The part of a word that carries the main meaning.
*[[Script]]. The written text to be used in a performance.
*[[Secondary source]]. Writings about a specific event or time period, written after the time described. Historical essays, biographies, and critics' reviews are examples of secondary sources.
*[[Sensory detail]]. See Imagery.
*[[Sentence]]. A group of words expressing a complete thought. Sentences can be classified by structure: simple sentences with a main clause, compound sentences with two or more main clauses, complex sentences made up of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses, and compound-complex sentences with two or more main clauses and at least one subordinate clause.
*[[Sentence fluency]]. The smooth rhythm and flow of sentences that vary in length and style.
*[[Sentence variety]]. The use of different types of sentences to add interest to writing.
*[[Setting goals]]. Determining the end for which an activity is taking place.
*[[Sexist language]]. Word choice that promotes prejudice or discrimination based on gender.
*[[Short story]]. A brief fictional narrative in prose. A short story will usually concentrate on a single event with only a few characters.
*[[Simile]]. A figure of speech that compares two unlike things, using the word like or as.
*[[Source]]. The point of origin of any piece of information. A primary source is the original source of the information. A secondary source is a report based on a primary source.
*[[Spatial order]]. The arrangement of the details of a setting according to their location -- for example, from left to right or from top to bottom.
*[[Speech]]. An oral communication; a public address.
*[[Standard English]]. The most widely used and accepted form of the English language.
*[[Stereotype]]. A generalization about a group of people that is made without regard for individual differences.
*[[Structure]]. The framework or general plan of a literary work. Structure refers to the relationship of the parts of a work to each other and to the whole piece.
*[[Style]]. The expressive qualities that distinguish an author's work, including diction, sentence structure, and figures of speech.
*[[Subject]]. The part of a sentence that tells what the sentence is about; includes the simple subject (the key noun or pronoun) and all the words that modify it.
*[[Subjunctive mood]]. See Mood of a verb.
*[[Subordinate clause]]. See Clause.
*[[Subordinating conjunction]]. See Conjunction.
*[[Summary]]. A brief statement of the main idea of a written work or of a proceeding.
*[[Superlative degree]]. See Adjective; Adverb.
*[[Support]]. In nonfiction writing, details that verify or add credence to a main idea.
*[[Symbol]]. Any person, animal, place, object, or event that exists on a literal level within a work but also represents something on a figurative level.
*[[Technology]]. A way of accomplishing a task using technical processes or knowledge.
*[[Tense]]. See Verb tense.
*[[Theme]]. The main idea or message of a story, poem, novel, or play, sometimes expressed as a general statement about life.
*[[Thesis]]. A position or proposition advanced by a speaker or writer.
*[[Tone]]. A reflection of the writer's attitude toward a subject as conveyed through such elements as word choice, punctuation, sentence structure, and figures of speech.
*[[Topic sentence]]. A sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph.
*[[Transition]]. A connecting word that clarifies the relationship of words or ideas.
*[[Transitive verb]]. See Verb.
*[[Unity]]. The quality of a composition in which all the sentences and paragraphs support one main idea.
*[[URL]]. The standard form of an Internet address; stands for Uniform Resource Locator.
*[[Venn diagram]]. A visual representation consisting of two or more overlapping circles used to show similarities and differences.
*[[Verb]]. A word that expresses action or a state of being and is necessary to make a statement. An action verb tells what someone or something does. A transitive verb is an action verb that is followed by a word or words that answer the question What? or Whom? An intransitive verb is an action verb that is not followed by a word that answers the question What? or Whom? A linking verb links, or joins, the subject of a sentence with a word or expression that identifies or describes the subject. Auxiliary verbs, or helping verbs, are words that accompany the main verb.
*[[Verb tense]]. The tense of a verb indicates when the action or state of being occurs. In addition to present, past, and future tenses, there are three perfect tenses: the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. The progressive form of a verb expresses a continuing action with any of the six tenses. To make the progressive forms, use the appropriate tense of the verb be with the present participle of the main verb. The emphatic form adds special force, or emphasis, to the present or past tense of a verb. For the emphatic form, use do, does, or did with the base form.
*[[Verbal]]. A verb form that can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. The three kinds of verbals are gerunds, infinitives, and participles. See Gerund; Infinitive; Participle.
*[[Voice]]. A writer's unique way of using tone and style to communicate with the audience.
*[[Web site]]. A site on the World Wide Web that can be reached through links or by accessing a Web address or URL. See URL.
*[[Word choice]]. The vocabulary a writer chooses to convey meaning.
*[[Word processing]]. The use of a computer for the writing and editing of written text.
*[[World Wide Web]]. A global system that uses the Internet and allows users to create, link, and access fields of information. See Internet.
*[[Writing process]]. The series of stages or steps that a writer goes through to develop ideas and to communicate them.

[[Category: Reference Books]]