Objective This section defines and offers examples of several types of signal words.

1. Part Four, Reading Comprehension Skills Skill Four, Recognizing Signal Words Objective This section defines and offers examples of several types of signal words.

2. Signal words help the reader follow the direction of a writer’s thought. • They are like signposts on the road that guide the traveler. • Common signal words show: • emphasis • addition • comparison or contrast • illustration • cause and effect

3. Emphasis words tell you directly that a particular idea or detail is especially important. Some typical words used for emphasis: important to note especially valuable the chief factor most of all most noteworthy a vital force a significant factor remember that above all a primary concern a major event a central issue the chief outcome a distinctive quality the most substantial issue a key feature should be noted pay particular attention to the main value

4. Addition words tell you that the writer’s thought is going to continue in the same direction. The author is going to add on more points or details of the same kind. Addition words are typically used to signal enumerations. Some typical addition words: also first of all last of all and another for one thing likewise second finally first in addition next furthermore moreover the third reason

5. Comparison or contrast words Comparison words signal that the author is pointing out a similarity between two subjects. They tell you that the second idea is like the first one in some way. Typical comparison words: like just as in the same way similarly likewise in like manner alike equally just like in a similar fashion similarly as

6. Contrast words signal a change in the direction of the writer’s thought. They tell you that the author is pointing out a difference between two subjects or statements. Typical contrast words: but yet variation on the other hand however differ still conversely in contrast difference on the contrary otherwise

7. Illustration words tell you that an example or illustrations will be given to make an idea clear. Such words are typically used in textbooks that present a number of definitions and examples of those definitions. Typical illustration words: for example specifically for instance to illustrate once such as

8. Cause and effect words signal that the author is going to describe results or effects. Typical cause and effect words: because reason since therefore effect as a result so that thus if…. then cause consequently result in