436 / Glossary
crisis the turning point of a conflict, when it becomes clear how the conflict will
be resolved.
critical writing aesthetic judgment based on analysis, most often applied to para-
graphs or multi-paragraph papers written about a piece of literature.
dangling modifier a modifier with no clear reference. Example: His heart beat-
ing fast, the car sped away. (The participial phrase his heart beating fast seems to
modify car but logically cannot. Thus, it is a dangling modifier.)
dash a mark of punctuation ( — ) used to indicate a sudden break in thought, as
for something added or left out. Most experienced writers avoid dashes in formal
writing.
declarative sentence a sentence that makes a statement, as opposed to inter-
rogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences. [See Glossary entries.] Example:
Dogwood and redbud blossoms give the first hint of spring.
definition a method for developing an expository paragraph or multi-paragraph
paper in which a term or idea is defined. [See Chapter 9, Definition, for an expla-
nation and examples.]
demonstrative pronoun one of four pronouns that point: this, that, these, and
those. [See also pronoun.]
denotation the basic or literal meaning; opposite of connotation.
dependent clause a clause that cannot stand alone but depends on an indepen-
dent or main clause for its meaning; also called subordinate clause. [See Chapter 44,
Phrases and Clauses.]
description a method of developing an expository paragraph or multi-paragraph
paper by picturing something in words. [See Chapter 10, Description, for an expla-
nation and examples.]
detail a small part, item, or particular used to support a main idea. [See Chapter 3,
Revising, for examples of writing with and without detail.]
development, methods of means by which a subject can be supported or
explained. Methods of development include analogy, cause and effect, classifica-
tion, comparison and contrast, definition, description, narration, opinion, persua-
sion, and process analysis. [See each of these detailed and illustrated in Part II.]
dialogue 1. a written work in the form of conversation. 2. the actors’ lines in a
play, story, and so on. [See Chapter 22, Dialogue, for detailed explanations for writ-
ing dialogue as well as for example and analysis.]
diction 1. the choice and arrangement of words. Example: The diction of every-
day speech is different from that of a formal essay. 2. manner of speaking or pro-
nouncing words; enunciation. Example: An actor must have good, clear diction.