Glossary / 441inflection a change of form by which words show number, case, gender, tense,
comparison, and so on. For instance, the inflection of a noun can be singular
(car), plural (cars), or possessive (car’s).
informal language colloquial language, used on a daily basis for conversation
and other informal communication.
informal style a manner of writing that relies on colloquial language and pays
only casual regard to precise grammar. Informal writing, which is not to be
confused with poor writing, permits the use of contractions, conversational lan-
guage, and a first- or second-person point of view.
intensive pronoun pronoun ending in –self or –selves that emphasizes, or inten-
sifies, the antecedent. Example: I’ll take care of the work myself. [Compare with
reflexive pronoun.]
interjection an exclamatory word or phrase, such as ah! or good grief! Note: Inter-
jections are followed by exclamation marks.
interrogative pronoun a pronoun used to ask a question. Example: What did
you say?
interrogative sentence a sentence that asks a question. Example: When did
you arrive? Compare with imperative, exclamatory, and declarative sentences. [See
Glossary entries.]
interview a meeting in which a person is asked about his opinions, activities, and
so on, as by a reporter.
in-text note a comment or reference inserted parenthetically into the text of a
paper, as opposed to an endnote; sometimes referred to as parenthetical documen-
tation. [See also endnote. For specific details for form of in-text notes, see Chapter 34,
Research Paper.]
intransitive verb a verb that does not require a direct object to complete its
meaning. Example: He shouted with joy. Opposite of transitive. [See transitive
verb.]
introduction the first part of a paragraph or multi-paragraph paper, which attracts
the reader’s attention and announces the subject. The introduction sets the tone
and mood and, except in certain situations, tells the reader what ideas to expect.
[See Writing a Paragraph and Writing a Multi-Paragraph Paper in Chapter 2, Writ-
ing, for examples of introductions. Also see each type of writing in Parts II and III
for sample introductions appropriate for the type.]
irony 1. a method of humorous or sarcastic expression in which the meaning given
to the words is the opposite of their usual sense. Example: She used irony when
she said the stupid plan was clever. 2. an event or result opposite to what might
be expected. Example: That the fire station burned down was ironic.