Helpful Definitions

     Throughout the Scoring Guide, some words are printed in bold maroon. These words are defined in the box and should be reviewed before beginning. If you have a question about the meaning of a bold maroon term while scoring, refer back to the Helpful Definitions Resource Tab.

Helpful Definitions

Additive conjunction

Additive conjunctions are words and phrases (typically adverbs and adverb phrases) that express addition or continuation of a series of concepts or ideas.

Examples:

 

Bulleted statement

Bulleted statements may use a bullet, dash, arrow, dot, or star in front of a word, phrase, or statement.

Examples:

 

Carrier phrase

An introductory phrase that, by itself, is an incomplete thought, but becomes a complete thought when joined to subsequent text (e.g., Hide and seek is…).

 

Complete sentence

An independent clause that may be combined with other independent and/or dependent clauses to express a complete thought.

 

Conclusion

A conclusion, if included, is either the last sentence(s) of the essay or the last paragraph of the essay.

 

Contrasting word/phrase

Contrasting words and phrases introduce a different idea from what was previously discussed.

Examples:

 

Dependent clause

A dependent clause (also known as a subordinate clause) is a group of words that contains a subject and verb, but does not express a complete thought.

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.

A dependent clause will begin with a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun.

 

Common Subordinate Conjunctions

 

Relative Pronouns

 

Ending punctuation mark

Ending punctuation marks include the following:

Other punctuation marks at the end of the sentence (e.g., ellipsis) do not receive credit.

 

Enumerative word/phrase

An enumerative word/phrase specifies number or order.

 

Examples:

 

one

two

three

first

second

third

finally

last

lastly

next

subsequent

 

 

Independent clause

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.

An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.

 

Introduction

An introduction, if included, is either the first sentence(s) of the essay or the first paragraph of the essay.

 

Numbered statement

Numbered statements use a numeral in front of a word, phrase, or statement.

Example:

Hide and seek is a good game. 1 you can hide anywhere anytime anyplace. 2 you can hide from your parents.

 

Paragraph

A paragraph is text that:

 

Superlative

A superlative is the greatest or utmost form of an adjective or adverb.

Examples:

 

Topic sentence

A topic sentence is one complete sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph rather than the essay as a whole.

 

Transition

A transition is a word or phrase that signals a connection between ideas.

A connection between ideas includes addition, enumeration, example, comparison, summary or conclusion, indication of time, indication of place or direction, or the indication of logical relationships.

All transitions that receive credit are included in the List of Acceptable Transitions.