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| Thesis Statement | An essay's main idea; the idea that all the points in the body of the essay support. It may be implied, but it is usually stated explicitly in the form of a statement. It conveys the essay's main idea, and may indicate the writer's approach to the subject and the writer's purpose. It may also indicate the pattern of development that will structure the essay. |
| Topic Sentence | It states the main idea of a paragraph. Often, but not always, it opens the paragraph. |
| Body Paragraphs | This develops and supports an essay's thesis. |
| Brainstorming | A technique that can be done individually or in a group. It relates to jotting down every fact or idea that relates to a particular topic. |
| Conclusion | Is a group of sentences or paragraphs that brings an essay to a close. This means not only "to end" but "to resolve." |
| Introduction | Depending on the length of an essay, this may be one paragraph, several paragraphs, or even a few pages long. The writer tries to encourage the audience to read what follows. The writer must choose tone and diction carefully, indicate what the paper is about, and suggest to readers what direction it will take. |
| Antithesis | A viewpoint opposite to one expressed in a thesis. In an argumentative essay, the thesis must be debatable. If this does not exist, then the writer's thesis is not debatable. |
| Audience | The people listening to a writer's words. |
