In a redox reaction, an element is oxidised. What role does that element play?

1. Oxidation is the loss of electrons and reduction is the gain of electrons. 2. The electrons lost by one species have to be gained by another species. 3. The element that is oxidised is the one handing electrons over. 4. By handing them over it causes the other species to be reduced. 5. An element that is oxidised is therefore called a reducing agent. 6. Naming it the oxidising agent swaps the two roles, which is the trap this wording sets. _Source: Siyavula Physical Sciences Grade 11 (Everything Science, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 13: Types of reactions_