1. G ROUNDWORK FOR C OLLEGE R EADING WITH PHONICS Fourth Edition John Langan © 2008 Townsend Press

2. Part II, Chapter Seven: Signal Words I THIS CHAPTER IN A NUTSHELL To help make their ideas clear, writers use signal words, also known as transitions — words that carry readers from one idea to the next. Typical addition words are for one thing, second, also, another, in addition, and finally. Typical time words are first, next, then, after, and last.

3. SIGNAL WORDS Signal words are words that writers provide to make the connections between ideas clear. Signal words are also known as transitions.

4. SIGNAL WORDS There are two common kinds of signal words: Words that show addition Words that show time

5. ADDITION WORDS A. I hate my job because of the long hours. My boss is often rude to me. B. I hate my job because of the long hours. Also, my boss is often rude to me. Look at the following items. Which one is easier to read and understand?

6. ADDITION WORDS Look at the following items. Which one is easier to read and understand? A. I hate my job because of the long hours. My boss is often rude to me. B. I hate my job because of the long hours. Also, my boss is often rude to me. The word also in the second item makes it clear that the writer is presenting two reasons for hating his or her job. This makes the second item easier to understand.

7. ADDITION WORDS Addition words (and other signal words) are also known as “bridge” words because they carry the reader across from one idea to the next.

8. ADDITION WORDS Addition words tell us that writers are adding to their thoughts. Here are some common addition words: one to begin with in additionlast firstanothernextlast of all first of allsecondmoreoverfinal for one thingalsofurthermorefinally

9. ADDITION WORDS Americans spend the biggest portion of their money on medical and dental care. The next biggest area of spending is on groceries. In 1870, the Constitution was amended to guarantee men of any race the right to vote. Another amendment in 1920 granted women the right to vote. In the examples below, notice how the addition words add to what has already been said.

10. TIME WORDS A. I let the cooked turkey sit for thirty minutes. I carved it. B. I let the cooked turkey sit for thirty minutes. Then I carved it. Look at the following items. Which one is easier to read and understand?

11. TIME WORDS A. I let the cooked turkey sit for thirty minutes. I carved it. B. I let the cooked turkey sit for thirty minutes. Then I carved it. Look at the following items. Which one is easier to read and understand? The word then in the second item makes the relationship between the two sentences clear.

12. TIME WORDS Time words, like addition words, carry the reader across from one idea to the next.

13. TIME WORDS Time words tell us when something happened in relation to when something else happened. Here are some common time words: before next whilelater previouslysoonduringafter firstoftenuntileventually secondasnowfinally thirdwhenthenlast Note: Additional ways of showing time are dates (“In 1850…”; “Throughout the 20th century…”; “By 2010…”) and other time references (“Within a week…”; “by the end of the month…”; “in two years…”).

14. TIME WORDS I quickly shut the back door after the mouse ran out. Some teenagers giggled loudly during the movie’s love scenes. Then an usher asked them to leave. In the examples below, notice how the time words show us when something takes place.

15. CHAPTER REVIEW In this chapter, you learned how writers use signal words, also called transitions, to help make their ideas clear. You also learned two common kinds of signal words: Addition words — Writers use addition words to present a list of reasons, examples, or other details that support an idea. The items have no time order, but are listed in whatever order the writer chooses. — Words that signal addition include for one thing, second, also, in addition, and finally. Time words — Writers use time words to discuss a series of events or steps in the order in which they happen. — Words that signal time order include first, next, then, after, and last. The next chapter—Chapter 8—will help you learn three other important kinds of signal words: words that show examples, contrast, and cause-effect.