Writing Terminology
Primary Source - A primary source is a document, speech, or other sort of evidence written, created or otherwise produced during the time under study. (ex. The Declaration of Independence, Pride and Prejudice, the journal of King James I, National Security Data Archives). You can limit searches in many of the databases to just primary sources.
Secondary Source - Secondary sources provide interpretation and analysis of primary sources. Secondary sources are one step removed from the original event. (ex. Scholarly journal article, encyclopedia article, literary criticism text, textbook.)
Note Card – An index card on which is written any direct quote, paraphrased idea, or summary of information found in a source that may be later used in the final product. This can be combined with the source card per teacher instructions. See the Writing/MLA page for detailed information on note cards.
Source Card – An index card on which is written the formatted citation (for works cited or bibliography) for the corresponding note card’s information. This can be combined with the note card per teacher instructions. See the Writing/MLA page for detailed information on note cards.
NoodleTools – An online tool that assists with documenting sources, in-text citations, staying organized, and taking notes online. For info on how NoodleTools works, check out the tutorials here.
Parenthetical Citation –Citation placed in parenthesis and directly after the material in the essay/project being cited. Anything that was found in a location outside the writers own knowledge should be cited. Use correct MLA format. A handout is available in the media center or on the Writing/MLA page.
Works Cited page – Page placed directly after the research paper on which all sources cited in the paper are listed. This page list ONLY those sources parenthetically cited in the paper. This should be in correct MLA format. A handout is available in the media center or on the Writing/MLA page.
Bibliography page – Page placed after the Works Cited page on which any additional, noteworthy sources NOT cited in the essay/project may be listed for the readers continued research. Can be annotated. Necessary only for certain teachers/classes.
Electronic Database – Online search engine that contains accurate, scholarly information. Think "Google for school."
Parts of the Paper
Introduction: Sometimes called the introductory paragraph, this is the first paragraph in the essay. It includes the thesis, usually toward the end.
Body paragraph: A middle paragraph in an essay. It develops a point you want to make that supports your thesis.
Concluding paragraph: Also called the conclusion, this is the last paragraph in your essay. It may sum up your ideas, reflect on what you said, offer more commentary about your subject, or give a personal statement.
Thesis: A sentence with a subject and opinion (also called commentary). This comes somewhere in your introductory paragraph and most often at the end.
Concrete Details: Specific details that form the backbone or core of your body paragraphs. Synonyms for concrete detail include facts, specifics, examples, descriptions, illustrations, support, proof, evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, or plot references.
Commentary: Your opinion or comment about something; not concrete detail. Synonyms include opinion, insight, analysis, interpretation, inference, personal response, feelings evaluation, explication, and reflection.
Topic sentence: The first sentence in a body paragraph. This must have a subject and opinion (commentary) for the paragraph. It does the same thing for a body paragraph that the thesis does for the whole essay.
Concluding sentence: The last sentence in a body paragraph. It is all commentary, does not repeat key words, and gives a finished feeling to the paragraph.
Chunk: One sentence of concrete detail and two sentences of commentary.
Weaving: Blending concrete details and commentary in a body paragraph.
Secondary Source - Secondary sources provide interpretation and analysis of primary sources. Secondary sources are one step removed from the original event. (ex. Scholarly journal article, encyclopedia article, literary criticism text, textbook.)
Note Card – An index card on which is written any direct quote, paraphrased idea, or summary of information found in a source that may be later used in the final product. This can be combined with the source card per teacher instructions. See the Writing/MLA page for detailed information on note cards.
Source Card – An index card on which is written the formatted citation (for works cited or bibliography) for the corresponding note card’s information. This can be combined with the note card per teacher instructions. See the Writing/MLA page for detailed information on note cards.
NoodleTools – An online tool that assists with documenting sources, in-text citations, staying organized, and taking notes online. For info on how NoodleTools works, check out the tutorials here.
Parenthetical Citation –Citation placed in parenthesis and directly after the material in the essay/project being cited. Anything that was found in a location outside the writers own knowledge should be cited. Use correct MLA format. A handout is available in the media center or on the Writing/MLA page.
Works Cited page – Page placed directly after the research paper on which all sources cited in the paper are listed. This page list ONLY those sources parenthetically cited in the paper. This should be in correct MLA format. A handout is available in the media center or on the Writing/MLA page.
Bibliography page – Page placed after the Works Cited page on which any additional, noteworthy sources NOT cited in the essay/project may be listed for the readers continued research. Can be annotated. Necessary only for certain teachers/classes.
Electronic Database – Online search engine that contains accurate, scholarly information. Think "Google for school."
Parts of the Paper
Introduction: Sometimes called the introductory paragraph, this is the first paragraph in the essay. It includes the thesis, usually toward the end.
Body paragraph: A middle paragraph in an essay. It develops a point you want to make that supports your thesis.
Concluding paragraph: Also called the conclusion, this is the last paragraph in your essay. It may sum up your ideas, reflect on what you said, offer more commentary about your subject, or give a personal statement.
Thesis: A sentence with a subject and opinion (also called commentary). This comes somewhere in your introductory paragraph and most often at the end.
Concrete Details: Specific details that form the backbone or core of your body paragraphs. Synonyms for concrete detail include facts, specifics, examples, descriptions, illustrations, support, proof, evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, or plot references.
Commentary: Your opinion or comment about something; not concrete detail. Synonyms include opinion, insight, analysis, interpretation, inference, personal response, feelings evaluation, explication, and reflection.
Topic sentence: The first sentence in a body paragraph. This must have a subject and opinion (commentary) for the paragraph. It does the same thing for a body paragraph that the thesis does for the whole essay.
Concluding sentence: The last sentence in a body paragraph. It is all commentary, does not repeat key words, and gives a finished feeling to the paragraph.
Chunk: One sentence of concrete detail and two sentences of commentary.
Weaving: Blending concrete details and commentary in a body paragraph.
