Unit 7 · Style – Reading

Sentence structure ● (core concept) — Writers express ideas in sentences built from clauses; every sentence needs at least one independent clause.

Independent clause ○ — A group of words with a subject and verb that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Dependent clause ○ — A group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone; it must attach to an independent clause.

Emphasis through sentence arrangement ● (core concept) — The order and arrangement of sentences in a text can emphasize particular ideas.

Coordination ● (core concept) — Joining ideas of equal weight (often with and, but, or), which illustrates balance or equality between them.

Subordination ● (core concept) — Placing one idea beneath another (with because, although, when...), which illustrates imbalance or inequality between ideas.

Emphasis within the sentence ● (core concept) — The arrangement of clauses, phrases, and words in a sentence can emphasize ideas.

Grammar and mechanics ● (core concept) — Following established conventions of language enables clear communication and contributes to an argument's clarity and effectiveness.

Strategic punctuation ● (core concept) — Using punctuation deliberately to demonstrate the relationships among ideas in a sentence.

Purposes of punctuation ● (core concept) — Commas, colons, semicolons, dashes, hyphens, parentheses, quotation marks, and end marks clarify, organize, emphasize, indicate purpose, supplement information, or contribute to tone.

Design features ● (core concept) — Visual choices such as italics or boldface that create emphasis.

Oversimplification ● (core concept) — When a writer doesn't grasp a subject's complexity, the argument collapses into oversimplification or sweeping generalizations.

Qualifying a claim ● (core concept) — Limiting a claim's scope instead of stating it in absolute terms, since arguments live within an ongoing discourse. (Example: “often” instead of “always.”)

Qualifiers ● (core concept) — Words, phrases, or clauses used strategically to qualify or limit the scope of an argument.