Beginnings & Endings
Stress
Clarity & Conciseness
Revision Tactics
100
Readers prefer sentences that move from ______ to ______
simplicity to complexity
100
When reading aloud, how can you tell which word receives stress?
By noticing which syllable your voice rises on near the end of the sentence
100
Why is this sentence less clear than it should be? "The completion of the project was achieved by the students in record time."
It uses a nominalization ("completion") instead of a verb; clearer: "The students completed the project in record time"
100
Trim the end: "The manager announced a new schedule for employee breaks that would be implemented starting next month in the company"
The manager announced a new schedule for employee breaks will begin next month
200
According to Lesson 6, when readers build momentum in the first 9–10 words, what happens?
They can more easily get through complex material that follows
200
Why is “Global warming could raise sea levels… according to most atmospheric scientists” weaker than “According to most atmospheric scientists, global warming could raise sea levels…” even though both state the same facts?
Because, the first version ends on “scientists” (a weak source note), while the second ends on “sea levels” (the key idea), so the emphasis lands on the main claim rather than background attribution.
200
What makes this sentence wordy? "At this point in time, the company is in need of more financial resources."
Redundant phrases ("at this point in time," "is in need of"); clearer: The company needs more financial resources
200
Which tactic is being used in this revision? "It was predicted by many analysts that social media would reshape how political campaigns reach voters?"
It shift When you have a subject consisting of a long noun clause, you can move it to the end of the sentence and start with an it
300
*Random Trivia*
Which country?
New Zealand
Fun fact:
J.R.R. Tolkien himself never visited New Zealand — but Peter Jackson’s film adaptations were made there.
300
Diagnose the stress error and revise: "The new regulations caused widespread confusion in the industry, many experts have noted."
The stress falls on weak metadiscourse ('experts have noted'); revision: "Many experts have noted that the new regulations caused widespread confusion in the industry."
300
Why does this passage feel choppy? "The city expanded its subway lines last year. Funding was provided by federal grants. The approval of the project came from the mayor's office. Construction delays frustrated commuters."
Each sentence introduces new topics without repeating familiar ones, breaking cohesion.
300
The Theorem of Pythagoras
400
The proverb “Beginning and end shake hands with each other” introduces this section. How does that metaphor connect to sentence design?
It shows how openings and closings must work together to give balance and emphasis to writing
400
*Random Trivia*
William Shakespeare
400
*Random Trivia*
Which planet is known as the “Red Planet”?
Mars
400
Apply the tactic of shifting new information to the right: "The rapid pace of technological change is the main reason people struggle with online learning platforms"
The main reason people struggle with online learning platforms is the rapid pace of technological change.
500
Describe how metadiscourse can be used to emphasize technical terms at the end of a sentence.
Metadiscourse can be used to create emphasis by deliberately placing new technical terms or important information at the end of a sentence, making them stand out and receive special attention from the reader.
500
NO
XQQ IV
IT
No excuse for it
500
Rewrite for clarity and emphasis: "The professor who assigns long research papers at the end of the semester and then provides no feedback other than a grade is often mentioned by students as a frequent source of frustration"
"Students are often frustrated by professors who assign long research papers at the end of the semester but give only a grade with no feedback"
500
Examine the sentence: "A clear explanation of the budget deficit and its long-term consequences is what the citizens demanded from the government." 1.What tactic did the writer try to use here? 2. Why is it not implemented effectively?
1. What shift ('what the citizens demanded') 2. It is weakly implemented because the meaningful information (“budget deficit and its consequences”) gets buried in the middle. The sentence feels backwards. better revision: What the citizens demanded from the government was a clear explanation of the budget deficit and its long-term consequences.