Writing and Composition: Glossary
155 words, listed in the order you meet them in Courseversity lessons.
All words in this topic
Grade 1
tail letter
From Grade 1
a letter that goes below the line, like g
Learn it in: Lowercase letters (Grade 1)
complete sentence
From Grade 1
a sentence with all its parts
Learn it in: Writing complete sentences (Grade 1), Subject and predicate (Grade 2), Complete sentences (Grade 2)
caption
From Grade 1
a sentence under a picture
Learn it in: Writing about pictures (Grade 1), Creating picture stories (Grade 1), Informational texts (Grade 2)
picture
From Grade 1
a drawing or photo
Learn it in: Writing about pictures (Grade 1), Listening to stories (Grade 1), Story settings (Grade 1)
personal
From Grade 1
about you
Learn it in: Writing personal experiences (Grade 1), Personal narratives (Grade 2)
description
From Grade 1
words that tell what something is like
Learn it in: Writing short descriptions (Grade 1), Text structures (Grade 4), Setting and atmosphere (Grade 6)
senses
From Grade 1
sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste
Learn it in: Writing short descriptions (Grade 1), Observing familiar objects (Grade 1), Descriptive paragraphs (Grade 2)
edit
From Grade 1
fix mistakes
Learn it in: Revising simple sentences (Grade 1), Editing spelling and punctuation (Grade 2), Punctuation and editing (Grade 3)
revise
From Grade 1
make writing better
Learn it in: Revising simple sentences (Grade 1), Revising writing (Grade 2), Creative-writing projects (Grade 2)
Grade 2
run-on
From Grade 2
sentences joined without punctuation
Learn it in: Complete sentences (Grade 2), Complex sentences (Grade 4)
combine
From Grade 2
join together
Learn it in: Combining sentences (Grade 2), Sentence variety (Grade 5)
compound sentence
From Grade 2
two sentences joined by a conjunction
Learn it in: Combining sentences (Grade 2), Compound sentences (Grade 3), Coordinating conjunctions (Grade 4)
conjunction
From Grade 2
a word that joins, such as and or but
Learn it in: Combining sentences (Grade 2), Conjunctions (Grade 3), Compound sentences (Grade 3)
indent
From Grade 2
start a little to the right
Learn it in: Topic sentences (Grade 2), Paragraph organisation (Grade 3)
paragraph
From Grade 2
a group of sentences about one idea
Learn it in: Topic sentences (Grade 2), Short factual reports (Grade 2), Topic sentences (Grade 3)
topic sentence
From Grade 2
the sentence that tells the main idea
Learn it in: Topic sentences (Grade 2), Main ideas (Grade 3), Topic sentences (Grade 3)
graphic organiser
From Grade 2
a chart or web for planning
Learn it in: Organising ideas (Grade 2), Note-taking (Grade 5), Note-taking (Grade 6)
organise
From Grade 2
put in order
Learn it in: Organising ideas (Grade 2), Paragraph organisation (Grade 3)
strong verb
From Grade 2
an exact, lively action word
Learn it in: Descriptive paragraphs (Grade 2), Descriptive vocabulary (Grade 3), Descriptive settings (Grade 4)
vivid
From Grade 2
very clear and lively
Learn it in: Descriptive paragraphs (Grade 2), Descriptive vocabulary (Grade 3), Precise word choice (Grade 5)
narrative
From Grade 2
a story
Learn it in: Personal narratives (Grade 2), Narrative structure (Grade 4), Narrative planning (Grade 5)
sequence word
From Grade 2
a word like first, next, then, finally
Learn it in: Personal narratives (Grade 2), Simple explanations (Grade 2), Explaining information (Grade 3)
explanation
From Grade 2
a text that tells how or why
Learn it in: Simple explanations (Grade 2), Evaluating explanations (Grade 5)
process
From Grade 2
a series of steps
Learn it in: Simple explanations (Grade 2), Explaining information (Grade 3), Explaining processes (Grade 3)
draft
From Grade 2
a first version of writing
Learn it in: Revising writing (Grade 2), Creative-writing projects (Grade 2), Revising narratives (Grade 3)
checklist
From Grade 2
a list of things to check
Learn it in: Editing spelling and punctuation (Grade 2), Revising and editing (Grade 3), Revision and editing (Grade 4)
Grade 3
story map
From Grade 3
a chart showing the parts of a story
Learn it in: Story planning (Grade 3), Narrative planning (Grade 5)
hook
From Grade 3
an opening that makes the reader want to read on
Learn it in: Story beginnings (Grade 3), Presentation organisation (Grade 4), Introductions (Grade 4)
mood
From Grade 3
the feeling a story gives
Learn it in: Settings (Grade 3), Setting and atmosphere (Grade 4), Descriptive settings (Grade 4)
conflict
From Grade 3
a struggle or problem
Learn it in: Plot development (Grade 3), Conflict and resolution (Grade 4), Conflict and resolution (Grade 5)
resolution
From Grade 3
how the problem is solved
Learn it in: Plot development (Grade 3), Plot structure (Grade 4), Conflict and resolution (Grade 4)
rising action
From Grade 3
events that build the problem
Learn it in: Plot development (Grade 3), Plot development (Grade 5), Plot and narrative structure (Grade 6)
logical
From Grade 3
making sense in order
Learn it in: Sequencing events (Grade 3), Logical reasoning (Grade 4), Evaluating conclusions (Grade 6)
transition
From Grade 3
a word or phrase linking ideas
Learn it in: Sequencing events (Grade 3), Paragraph transitions (Grade 4), Transitions (Grade 4)
reflect
From Grade 3
to think back on what happened
Learn it in: Story endings (Grade 3), Publishing compositions (Grade 5)
supporting sentence
From Grade 3
a sentence that gives a detail
Learn it in: Topic sentences (Grade 3), Paragraph organisation (Grade 4), Main ideas (Grade 5)
elaborate
From Grade 3
to add more detail
Learn it in: Supporting details (Grade 3), Supporting evidence (Grade 5)
closing sentence
From Grade 3
a sentence that ends the paragraph
Learn it in: Paragraph organisation (Grade 3), Explanatory paragraphs (Grade 6)
linking word
From Grade 3
a word that connects ideas, such as also
Learn it in: Paragraph organisation (Grade 3)
command verb
From Grade 3
a verb that tells someone what to do
Learn it in: Explaining processes (Grade 3)
call to action
From Grade 3
a sentence asking readers to do something
Learn it in: Conclusions (Grade 3), Persuasive speaking (Grade 5), Conclusions (Grade 6)
final thought
From Grade 3
a closing idea for the reader to remember
Learn it in: Conclusions (Grade 3), Conclusions (Grade 4), Conclusions (Grade 5)
restate
From Grade 3
to say again in different words
Learn it in: Conclusions (Grade 3), Explaining opinions (Grade 4), Conclusions (Grade 4)
Grade 4
brainstorm
From Grade 4
to collect many ideas quickly
Learn it in: Story planning (Grade 4), Creative expression (Grade 5), Narrative planning (Grade 6)
show, don’t tell
From Grade 4
showing traits through actions, not stating them
Learn it in: Character development (Grade 4), Characterisation (Grade 6)
action beat
From Grade 4
an action between lines of speech
stakes
From Grade 4
what the character could win or lose
Learn it in: Conflict and resolution (Grade 4)
tension
From Grade 4
the feeling of worry about what will happen
Learn it in: Conflict and resolution (Grade 4), Pacing (Grade 5), Plot structure (Grade 6)
time transition
From Grade 4
a transition showing when, such as later
Learn it in: Paragraph transitions (Grade 4)
consistent
From Grade 4
staying the same throughout
Learn it in: Narrative voice (Grade 4), Verb tense consistency (Grade 5)
narrative voice
From Grade 4
the personality of the person telling the story
Learn it in: Narrative voice (Grade 4)
author’s note
From Grade 4
a short note from the writer
Learn it in: Publishing creative writing (Grade 4)
final copy
From Grade 4
the finished version
Learn it in: Publishing creative writing (Grade 4), Publishing compositions (Grade 5)
concluding sentence
From Grade 4
a sentence that wraps up the idea
Learn it in: Paragraph organisation (Grade 4), Main ideas (Grade 5)
preview
From Grade 4
to give a short look ahead
Learn it in: Introductions (Grade 4), Reading complex texts (Grade 5), Introductions (Grade 6)
thesis
From Grade 4
a sentence that states the main point
Learn it in: Introductions (Grade 4), Opinion essays (Grade 4), Introductions (Grade 6)
body paragraph
From Grade 4
a paragraph that develops one point
Learn it in: Informational reports (Grade 4), Essay structure (Grade 5), Essay organisation (Grade 6)
opinion essay
From Grade 4
writing that argues for a point of view
Learn it in: Opinion essays (Grade 4)
counterargument
From Grade 4
a reason on the opposite side
Learn it in: Logical reasoning (Grade 4), Opinion and persuasive writing (Grade 5), Organising arguments (Grade 6)
rebuttal
From Grade 4
your answer to a counterargument
Learn it in: Logical reasoning (Grade 4), Opinion and persuasive writing (Grade 5), Introductory debates (Grade 6)
addition
From Grade 4
a transition that adds an idea
Learn it in: Transitions (Grade 4), Transitions (Grade 5), Transitions (Grade 6)
peer feedback
From Grade 4
comments from a classmate
Learn it in: Revision and editing (Grade 4), Revising arguments (Grade 6)
Grade 5
characterisation
From Grade 5
how a writer shows a character
Learn it in: Characterisation (Grade 5), Characterisation (Grade 6)
motive
From Grade 5
the reason a character acts
Learn it in: Characterisation (Grade 5), Character interpretation (Grade 5)
show, do not tell
From Grade 5
showing traits through actions instead of naming them
Learn it in: Characterisation (Grade 5)
speech tag
From Grade 5
words such as she said that name the speaker
first-person narrator
From Grade 5
a character who tells the story using I
Learn it in: Narrative perspective (Grade 5)
limited
From Grade 5
knowing only one character’s thoughts
Learn it in: Narrative perspective (Grade 5)
omniscient
From Grade 5
knowing all characters’ thoughts
Learn it in: Narrative perspective (Grade 5), Point of view (Grade 6)
third-person narrator
From Grade 5
an outside voice using he, she or they
Learn it in: Narrative perspective (Grade 5)
creative expression
From Grade 5
sharing original ideas and feelings in writing
Learn it in: Creative expression (Grade 5)
form
From Grade 5
the type of writing, such as story or poem
Learn it in: Creative expression (Grade 5), Comparing genres (Grade 6)
essay
From Grade 5
a piece of writing on one topic in several paragraphs
Learn it in: Essay structure (Grade 5), Essay organisation (Grade 6)
focus
From Grade 5
the main point an essay centres on
Learn it in: Introductions (Grade 5), Central ideas (Grade 6)
thesis statement
From Grade 5
a sentence stating the main idea of an essay
Learn it in: Introductions (Grade 5), Developing claims (Grade 6)
introduce evidence
From Grade 5
lead into a fact or quote with a phrase
Learn it in: Supporting evidence (Grade 5)
informative essay
From Grade 5
an essay that explains facts about a topic
Learn it in: Informative essays (Grade 5)
persuasive writing
From Grade 5
writing meant to convince the reader
Learn it in: Opinion and persuasive writing (Grade 5)
faulty reasoning
From Grade 5
reasoning that does not truly support the claim
Learn it in: Logical reasoning (Grade 5)
generalisation
From Grade 5
a broad statement based on a few cases
Learn it in: Logical reasoning (Grade 5)
peer review
From Grade 5
feedback from a classmate
Learn it in: Editing and revision (Grade 5), Revision and editing (Grade 6), Digital communication projects (Grade 6)
Grade 6
indirect characterisation
From Grade 6
revealing traits through actions and words
Learn it in: Characterisation (Grade 6)
revising
From Grade 6
making big improvements to ideas, structure and language
Learn it in: Revision (Grade 6)
integrate
From Grade 6
to blend evidence smoothly into your writing
Learn it in: Supporting evidence (Grade 6)
paragraph unity
From Grade 6
all sentences focused on one idea
Learn it in: Explanatory paragraphs (Grade 6)
causal chain
From Grade 6
a series of linked causes and effects
Learn it in: Cause-and-effect writing (Grade 6)
false cause
From Grade 6
wrongly claiming one thing caused another
Learn it in: Cause-and-effect writing (Grade 6)
block method
From Grade 6
writing about one subject then the other
Learn it in: Compare-and-contrast writing (Grade 6)
in contrast
From Grade 6
a transition showing difference
Learn it in: Compare-and-contrast writing (Grade 6)
point-by-point
From Grade 6
comparing both subjects on one point at a time
Learn it in: Compare-and-contrast writing (Grade 6)
similarly
From Grade 6
a transition showing likeness
Learn it in: Compare-and-contrast writing (Grade 6)
order of importance
From Grade 6
arranging points from most to least important, or the reverse
Learn it in: Supporting reasons (Grade 6)
link
From Grade 6
the explanation of how evidence proves a point
Learn it in: Selecting evidence (Grade 6)
argumentative essay
From Grade 6
an essay that tries to persuade with reasoned support
Learn it in: Organising arguments (Grade 6)
alternative viewpoint
From Grade 6
a different opinion on the same issue
Learn it in: Alternative viewpoints (Grade 6)
claim sentence
From Grade 6
a sentence stating the paragraph’s point in support of the thesis
Learn it in: Argumentative paragraphs (Grade 6)
commentary
From Grade 6
your explanation of how evidence proves the point
Learn it in: Argumentative paragraphs (Grade 6)
link back
From Grade 6
a sentence returning to the thesis
Learn it in: Argumentative paragraphs (Grade 6)
formal style
From Grade 6
polite, precise language without slang
Learn it in: Introductory argument essays (Grade 6)
either/or thinking
From Grade 6
pretending there are only two options
Learn it in: Evaluating reasoning (Grade 6)
hasty generalisation
From Grade 6
a broad claim from too little evidence
Learn it in: Evaluating reasoning (Grade 6)
personal attack
From Grade 6
attacking the person instead of the argument
Learn it in: Evaluating reasoning (Grade 6)