Glossary
Contextual Information
Background details, historical facts, or cultural insights that help readers understand the circumstances surrounding a text or argument.
Example:
Understanding the contextual information of the Cold War era helps explain the pervasive sense of paranoia in the novel.
Evidence Analysis
The process of explaining how and why a chosen piece of evidence supports the thesis, often involving interpretation and connection to the broader argument.
Example:
After presenting a quote, the student's evidence analysis explained how the author's word choice in that quote revealed a subtle bias against the subject.
Evidence Selection
The critical process of choosing the most appropriate and impactful pieces of evidence from a text to support a specific claim or thesis.
Example:
Effective evidence selection for an essay on environmental policy would involve choosing specific legislative acts and their measurable outcomes, rather than general statements.
Literary Devices
Techniques or structures used by writers to convey meaning, create effects, or enhance their writing, such as imagery, symbolism, or metaphor.
Example:
Analyzing the repeated use of bird imagery as a literary device can reveal a character's longing for freedom.
Paraphrased
Restating someone else's ideas or information in your own words, while maintaining the original meaning and attributing the source.
Example:
Instead of quoting the entire paragraph, the student paraphrased the author's main argument about the economic impact of the new policy.
Quotations
Direct reproductions of words or passages from a text, used to provide exact phrasing and specific details as evidence.
Example:
To show the author's tone, the essay included the quotation, 'The desolate landscape stretched endlessly, mirroring the despair in her heart.'
Relevant Evidence
Information or data that directly pertains to and supports the specific claim or argument being made in an essay.
Example:
When arguing that a character is brave, citing their act of self-sacrifice in a dangerous situation would be relevant evidence.
Rhetorical Situation
The circumstances surrounding a piece of writing or speech, including the speaker/writer, audience, purpose, context, and message, which influence rhetorical choices.
Example:
Considering the rhetorical situation of a political speech means understanding who the speaker is, who they are addressing, and what they hope to achieve.
SELECT Method
An acronym (See, Evaluate, Locate, Explain, Connect, Tailor) used as a mnemonic device to guide students in effectively choosing, analyzing, and integrating evidence.
Example:
When preparing for an argumentative essay, applying the SELECT Method ensures that each piece of evidence is thoroughly considered and effectively utilized.
Strategic Evidence
Evidence chosen not just for its relevance, but also for its persuasive power and effectiveness in maximizing the impact on the intended audience.
Example:
To persuade a skeptical audience about climate change, a writer might use strategic evidence like recent, verifiable scientific data rather than anecdotal observations.
Thesis Statement
A concise, arguable statement that presents the main argument or controlling idea of an essay, typically appearing in the introduction.
Example:
The essay's thesis statement argued that social media platforms, despite their benefits, significantly contribute to feelings of isolation among young adults.