english

Relationship Signaled

Transitions that signal the relationship

Addition

In addition, furthermore, moreover, equally important, another, first, second, also, and, then, too.

Sequence

Now, then, before, after, afterwards, earlier, later, immediately, soon, next, meanwhile, gradually, suddenly, finally, previously, before, next, often, eventually

Spatial arrangement

Near, near to, nearly, far, far from, beside, in front of, next to, beyond, above, below, to the right, to the left, around, surrounding, on one side, inside, outside, across, opposite to, far off, behind, alongside, there,

Comparison

In the same way, similarly, just like, just as, in like manner, likewise

Contrast

However, on the other hand, yet, on the contrary, nevertheless, despite, in spite of, but, still,

Cause & effect

Because, since, so consequently, hence, as a result, therefore, thus, because of this,

Purpose

For this purpose, so that this may occur, in order to

Emphasis

Indeed, in fact, surely, undoubtedly, without a doubt, certainly, truly, to be sure, I am certain

Illustration

For example, for instance, as an illustration, specifically, to be specific, in particular

Summary or clarification

In summary, in conclusion, as I have shown, in brief, in short, in other words, all in all, that is,

Admitting a point

Although, while this may be true, granted, even though, while it is true that,

The Positive Impact of Bike Share Programs

Analyze Writing Skills

People talk about the smog more than they talk about the weather in my community. Recently, the mayor urged people to give up their cars and use public transportation or the new bike-share program to decrease air pollution. I use the bike-share program to get to school and work, and I like it. I heard on the news that it is working well and that there are fewer cars on the streets. I know that sometimes cars are a necessity, but the problem of smog is serious because it has a negative effect on people's health and the quality of life in the city. A bike-share program is good for cities and the people who live there because it is a convenient way to travel, improves life in the city, and makes people healthier.

The first sentence engages the reader. Identify the type of sentence used to introduce the topic:

1. thought-provoking question

2. request to reflect

3. relevant quotation

4. Surprising statistics

The purpose of sentences 2-5 is to provide one of the following:

1. an engaging lead

2. background information

3. the thesis statement

4. a recommendation 

Select the alternative that shows a point of discussion in the thesis statement.

1. talk about the smog

2. decrease air pollution

3. use a bike-share program

4. improve life in the city

First, a bike-share program is easy for people to use. For instance, commuters who travel to the city can ride around and go wherever they want. They do not have to rely on the schedules of buses and trains. Driving a car is also difficult because of traffic. In addition, bike stations are everywhere, so it is usually easy to find and park a bike. One problem sometimes is that the supply of bikes is less than the demand for them. That was a problem in my city. However, we now have an app that tells where available bikes are, so people do not have to spend time searching for one. Therefore, the bike-share program is more convenient than buses and other kinds of transportation.

Why is a bike-share program easy to use?

1. relies on schedules of buses

2. causes difficult traffic in the city

3. shows the convenience of using trains

4. includes an app that tells the availability of bikes

In addition, a bike-share program strengthens the quality of life in the city. Suppose many people use bikes, fewer cars, and less traffic and noise. People feel comfortable traveling around, so they spend more time enjoying the city. Maybe it will attract more tourists, which is good for the city, too. Also, when many people are around, the city feels less dangerous. I come home from work late at night. When there was no bike-share, I felt a little scared when I walked home. Now I see more people riding bikes in my neighborhood, and I feel less afraid. The bike-share has made the city more comfortable and fun.

Refer to the topic sentence, especially the word that introduces the idea that the writer will discuss in the paragraph. Identify the purpose of the word:

1. State one point of discussion of the thesis statement

2. Offer details or more information about the main idea.

3. State the results of the thesis statement

4. Challenge readers to research the thesis statement

Answer: A

The best reason for having a bike-share is its positive effects on people's health. When people bike daily, they exercise their whole body every day. I ride at least five miles a day, so I know my heart and lungs are strong. Also, biking is a good source of energy. I work and go to school, but I still feel energetic. I think it is because I use the bike-share. Finally, exercise can reduce stress, too, and students who work and go to college often feel a lot of stress. Clearly, a bike-share improves people's health.

Identify the alternative that best expresses the topic of this paragraph:

1. Biking gives people energy.

2. Some people lose weight when they use the bike share program regularly.

3. People develop a sense of togetherness when they use the bike-share program.

4. Biking improves people's health.

Answer: D

In conclusion, a bike-share program not only helps the environment but also makes a city easier to get around, makes a city more pleasant, and makes people feel and look better. I think bike-share programs are an amazing way to get back our blue skies and enjoy our lives.

What is the purpose of the first sentence in paragraph 5?

1. To introduce a new idea

2. To give the writers opinion and some facts

3. To remind the reader of the thesis statement

4. To transition from the lead to the background information.

Answer: C

Narrative: use fictional or nonfictional stories in a chronological sequence of events, often including detailed descriptions and appeals to the senses and emotions of readers while storytelling to reveal a theme or moment.

Metaphor: describe an object or action in a way that isn't true but helps explain an idea or make a comparison.

Example: " cauldron of changing greens and blues" and " the great palace of the earth." These descriptions reinforce the deep beauty of the earth.

In Mary Oliver's essay "Flow," the author uses metaphors to describe the ocean's magnificence.

Personification:  gives human characteristics and feelings to inanimate objects, animals, or nature, provides a more dramatic effect, and creates vivid imagery in readers' minds.

Example:   Her heart was divided between concern for her sister and resentment against all the others.

Jane Austen writes about how the character's (Elizabeth) 'heart' was divided between concern and resentment. It is a way of signifying how Elizabeth herself was torn between these two emotions.

Descriptive:  provides detailed information using adjectives that appeal to the five senses (what people see, hear, smell, taste, and touch) and other vivid details that help readers visualize a concept.

Imagery: describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses. However, one image can represent more than one thing on a deeper level. For example, a rose may present visual imagery while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks and symbolizing some degree of perfection.

Onomatopoeia: use words that imitate natural sounds so readers can hear the sound. 

Example:   The car spun out of control with a "screeeeek" of skidding tires and hit the wall, "kablam!" with a powerful crash and scrape of crushed metal.

Simile: show a similarity between two different things and that the words "like" or "as" link the different things. Not all similes employ "as" or "like." 

Examples: 

I wandered lonely as a cloud.

Life is but a walking shadow.

The slice of meat was pounded so thin that  it adhered like wet tissue paper to the plate. Its texture was off-putting; its taste, sadly muted. (Frank Bruni, 3/4/09, New York Times)

Expository: investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea clearly and concisely. This can be accomplished through comparison and contrast, definition, example, and cause and effect.

Euphemism: use a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept, for example, to adhere to social or political correctness standards or to add humor or ironic understatement.

Example: "earthly remains" rather than "corpse"

Analogy:  compare the shared qualities of two unrelated objects, support logic, present rational arguments, and back up ideas by showing the relationship between disparate things.

Example: The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal aim to provide national news coverage, albeit in their respective fashions. The New York Times presents itself as the premiere source for national and international news and an authority on fashion and entertainment. The Wall Street Journal, on the other hand, covers American and international business/financial topics and has strengths in columnists and writers that are respected in the literary world.

Persuasive: logically attempts to convince readers to take action.

Antithesis: refer to the absolute opposite of something to define through contrast.

Example:   Higher education isn't as slow-moving as we thought. The shift to remote learning in the wake of COVID-19 shows how innovative colleges and universities can be. The ability to be adaptable and overcome the traditional barriers of time and space of specific roles has been incredible.

Alliteration: use the same sound at the beginning of more than one words that are close together. The repeated sounds make slogans and names easier to remember and help to unify or emphasize key phrases.

Example:  We send well wishes to the Winchester crew.

Argumentative: logically attempts to support a controversial point or defend a position on which there is a difference of opinion. 

Hyperbole: use of highly exaggerated terms to draw emphasis and attention.

Example:   The room was seemingly capable of holding millions of people.

Analytical: concentrate on how the piece was written – for example, how certain themes present themselves in a story.

Metonym:  use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated

The Firm is used to describe the British Royal Family. The following line suggests the royal family is both a sprawling business with wide-ranging financial ties.

Example: "We're not a family, we're a firm."