

READING, ADVISING, & MENTORING PROGRAM (RAMP)

Recognizing Signal Words Part II

Understanding the Basic Patterns for Organizing Information

How do you normally go about explaining your ideas to someone? Most of us do pretty much the same thing: we use patterns
of speech.

Although there are many ways to express ideas, writers usually use speech patterns and generally mix or combine them in
paragraphs and passages. Once you begin to understand these patterns, you should be able to follow the writer’s sequence
of ideas more readily and improve your comprehension. These patterns will further help to clarify topics, key ideas, and the
relationship of supporting statements.

The writers’ purpose and the topic help determine how their material will be arranged. Terms writers use to signal to the
reader which organizational method is being used should be familiar to you, since these are often the very words instructors
use in exams and quizzes: for example, classify, define, list, describe, analyze. You have probably used these words
unconsciously when writing responses in test-taking situations. Understanding patterns of organizations used by writers
assists you in your reading/study tasks and better prepares you to take examinations. These patterns can also serve as
models or examples for your own writing tasks.

Sources: Flemming, Reading for Results, Houghton Mifflin Co., MA 1993.

Langan, College Writing Skills with Readings, McGraw-Hill Book Co., NY 1989.

Vogel & Lehmann, Fundamentals of College Reading, Prentice Hall, NJ 1993.

Wassman & Rinsky, Effective Reading in a Changing World, Prentice Hall, NJ 1993.
College Reading Skills Program, 5/93; Revised 9/98.

SPACE

Space signal words alert the reader as to the position or direction of a particular subject, inanimate or not.

next to
across

to the left
on the opposite side

to the right
below

nearby above

Example:

On a recent Wednesday afternoon thousands of people gathered around City Hall in Philadelphia to witness an experiment.
Could a professional ballplayer catch a baseball thrown from a height of 500 feet? Standing atop City Hall was a pitcher for
the Philadelphia Phillies. In the street below an outfielder pounded his glove. The baseball, upon reaching the outfielder, would
be traveling with a force great enough to maim or even kill.

Exercises:

1. The vegetable bin of my refrigerator contained an assortment of weird-looking items. Next to a shriveled, white-coated
lemon was a pair of oranges covered with blue fuzz. To the right of the oranges was a bunch of carrots that had begun to
sprout points, spikes, knobs, and tendrils. Near the carrots was a net bag of onions. The most horrible item, though, was
a head of lettuce that had turned into a pool of brown goo. This brown goo had seeped out of the bag and lined the
bottom with a sticky, bad-smelling liquid. (3 signal words)
2. Lake Tahoe is a wonderful place to visit. The lake is an unbelievable royal blue color at its deepest parts and a fantastic
aqua green color at its shallowest. Across the majestic lake are the Sierra Nevada mountains. Nearby the lake is the hot
dd fN d i i l hi i i f h h f h l k Of ll i d i bl
 and dry state of Nevada; it is only thirty minutes away coming from the northeast part of the lake. Of all its admirable
qualities, Lake Tahoe¹s vibrant colors is the best one. (3 signal words) 

CLASSIFICATION

In using signal words of classification, a writer classifies information in a series of statements giving supporting facts or
details. The order in which the information is presented is usually not significant and can be switched around without
changing the meaning.

categories
elements
numbers

characteristics
features
parts

classes
groups
sorts

classify
kinds
types

divide
methods
ways
dimensions aspects

Example:

The Chinese responded to prejudice and persecution in two ways: First, they created an insulated society-within-a-society that
needed little time from the dominant culture. Second, they displayed a stoic willingness to persevere, and to take without
complaint or resistance whatever America dished out.

Exercises:

1. Many people have to communicate and work with members of other cultures, and social skills training is now being given
to some of these who are about to work abroad. Intercultural communication is necessary for several kinds of people:
tourist, government/business visitors, and students in the peace corps. (1 signal word)
2. Not all violence is the same. Various thinkers have categorized violence in several ways. One of the best is that of
political scientist Fred R. van der Mehden, who sees five general types of violence: primordial, separatist, revolutionary,
coups, and issues. (3 signal words)

SEQUENCE OR TIME ORDER

Sequence or time order signal words help the reader see which important details will be developed in a sequential pattern.
Numbers may be used, but for the purpose of showing time order or steps in a process, not for the purpose of merely listing
at random.

first
above
finally

second
adjacent
furthermore

third
after
later

next
before
stages

most important
below
steps

last
down
when

eventually
subsequently following this while

then
step
during
meanwhile as

now

Example:

Most children go through similar stages when they are beginning to talk. According to linguists, first, babies learn to babble.
Next, they speak in one word utterances. Following this stage, at about the age of one and a half or two years old, children are
speaking in two word utterances. Subsequently, they are speaking in short sentences. The actual age that children go through
these stages varies but most follow a similar sequence.

Exercises:

1. When a car overheats and stalls from vapor lock, follow these steps. First, if you are on the freeway, stay in your car. Wait
until a member of the highway patrol comes to help you get to the side of the road. However, if it is safe to push the car
 to the side of the road by yourself, do it. Once you are at the side of the road, lift the hood and place a wet cloth on the
fuel line and the fuel pump. If you do not have a wet rag, then just sit there until things cool off. Once you have cooled the 
line so that the gasoline is no longer boiling, wrap the rag around the line. Better yet, carry some tinfoil in your car. Tinfoil,
wrapped around the line, carries the heat away. When the car has cooled down, get back on the road, and act as though
nothing had happened. (7 signal words)
2. If you are going to be recording a lot of tapes, it would be wise to follow these steps. Find a brand and type of tape that
works well in your machine and stick with it. This will save you money in the long run, since tape is cheaper when bought
by the case. Then, when unwrapping a new tape, fast-wind it all the way through and then rewind it back to the beginning.
This will free up any sticking that may have developed in the tape while it was stored. Following this step, check the
microphone and line level controls. If the recorder has separate controls, turn down the one for the input you¹re not using,
to prevent unnecessary noise in recording. Finally, be sure that the recorder¹s bias and EQ switching are set to the correct
position for the tape in use. (4 signal words)

DEFINITION

Signal words which define teach the technical language of the subject. Sometimes they are straightforward; some are
abstract.

define known as
we mean

is
that is
we can state

is defined as the term means we refer to

Example:

Our country has been obsessed with youth for far too many years. Age has been defined only as a decline from a peak of
youth. Age is a fate worse than death. Negative stereotypes of older people are reinforced daily in the popular media, which
contain very few examples of anyone 60 or older doing anything active or dynamic in society.

Exercises:

1. By self-esteem, we refer to the evaluation which the individual makes and customarily maintains with regard to himself or
herself; it expresses an attitude of approval or disapproval, and indicates the extent to which an individual believes
himself to be capable, significant, successful, and worthy. In short, self-esteem is a personal judgment of worthiness and
is expressed in the attitudes that the individual holds towards himself. It is a subjective experience which the individual
conveys to others by verbal reports and other overt expressive behavior. (4 signal words)
2. Creativity is known as the act of bringing something new into the world, whether a symphony, a novel, an improved layout
for a supermarket, a new and unexpected casserole dish. It is based first on communication with oneself, then testing
that communication with experience and the realities one has to contend with. The result is the highest, most exciting
kind of learning. (2 signal words)

END OF THE ROAD SIGNALS – STOP

Stop signals warn the reader to “slow down.” You should be anticipating important information at this point. The most
important ideas are about to be presented in brief form or restated.

accordingly
last of all
basically

to summarize
consequently
therefore

finally
the effect
hence

the implication
in conclusion
the most inportant

in retrospect
thus
in summary

to recapitulate
then
as a result

last of all
in brief
in short

on the whole to sum up ultimately

Example:

Euthanasia is defined as mercy killing, either by the sick people themselves or by their relatives or close friends. One
controversial doctor is a strong proponent of this act: Dr. Jack Krevorkian. Dr. Krevorkian has publicly admitted to giving
i t t l h h itt d i id A lt h h b ll d i tb d b th
assistance to people who have committed suicide. As a result, he has been called a saint by some, a murderer by others.

Exercises: 

1. Garlic is used in various old-fashioned, cure-all remedies. A syrup made from garlic is said to cure colds. A clove of garlic
wrapped in a wet cloth and kept on the chest will relive the discomforts of bronchitis. And garlic really can be soothing
when rubbed on insect bites. Garlic does contain an antibiotic, allium, which doctors use to lower high blood pressure in
patients. Consequently, garlic¹s value is not all superstition. (1 signal word)
2. Basically, my grandmother was an extremely thrifty person. She was one of those people who hoard pieces of used
aluminum foil after carefully scraping off the cake icing or beef gravy. She had a drawer full of old eyeglasses that dated
back at least thirty years. The lens prescriptions were no longer accurate, but Gran couldn’t bear to throw away “a pair of
good eyeglasses.” She kept them “just in case,” but we could never figure out what horrible situation would involve a
desperate need for a dozen pairs of old eyeglasses. We never realized the true extent of Gran’s thriftiness, though, until
after she died. Her house was to be sold, and therefore we cleaned out its dusty attic. We donated some of her
belongings to charity, and some were sold. On the whole, we made a decent amount of money and decided to donate
that to charity as well. (2 signal words)

PRACTICE IN RECOGNIZING SIGNAL WORDS

Activity 1

Below are some of the signal words that are most often used by writers. Place each word under its proper heading below.

classes next is

accordingly that is hence

across features in summary

to the right near we mean

last after sorts

Classification Definition Space

_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Stop
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
Time Sequence
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________

Activity 2

Please circle the signal words in the passage below and then identify the various types used.

1. Creative thinking usually involves five stages. First, the problem is defined. Second, creative thinkers saturate themselves
with as much information as they can find. Then comes the incubation stage. Next, problem solving moves to an
unconscious level and the mind ponders different possible, or even impossible, solutions. The incubation stage is
followed by illumination. By illumination, we refer to a period of sudden understanding or insight. Finally, there is the
verification stage when solutions or answers are critically evaluated. (9 signal words)
2. If we study a child’s handwriting, certain personality types are revealed. First, if children have handwriting that is slanted
only a little to the right or is straight up and down, they have a moderate temperament and use good judgment. This type
is usually affectionate and sharing. Second, if the handwriting slants to the far right, they are usually emotional children
who react quickly. Their quick responses are often negative responses. The third type, children who write with a
backhand slant, are very logical, unemotional, and sometimes very insecure. Therefore, their world seems to revolve
around themselves rather than around friends and loved ones. (7 signal words)
 ( g )


ANSWER KEY for RECOGNIZING SIGNAL WORDS PART II
 

SPACE Exercises

1. The vegetable bin of my refrigerator contained an assortment of weird-looking items. Next to a shriveled, white-coated
lemon was a pair of oranges covered with blue fuzz. To the right of the oranges was a bunch of carrots that had begun to
sprout points, spikes, knobs, and tendrils. Near the carrots was a net bag of onions. The most horrible item, though, was
a head of lettuce that had turned into a pool of brown goo. This brown goo had seeped out of the bag and lined the
bottom with a sticky, bad-smelling liquid. (3 signal words)
2. Lake Tahoe is a wonderful place to visit. The lake is an unbelievable royal blue color at its deepest parts and a fantastic
aqua green color at its shallowest. Across the majestic lake are the Sierra Nevada mountains. Nearby the lake is the hot
and dry state of Nevada; it is only thirty minutes away coming from the northeast part of the lake. Of all its admirable
qualities, Lake Tahoe¹s vibrant colors is the best one. (3 signal words)

CLASSIFICATION Exercises

1. Many people have to communicate and work with members of other cultures, and social skills training is now being given
to some of these who are about to work abroad. Intercultural communication is necessary for several kinds of people:
tourist, government/business visitors, and students in the peace corps. (1 signal word)
2. Not all violence is the same. Various thinkers have categorized violence in several ways. One of the best is that of
political scientist Fred R. van der Mehden, who sees five general types of violence: primordial, separatist, revolutionary,
coups, and issues. (3 signal words)

SEQUENCE OR TIME ORDER Exercises

1. When a car overheats and stalls from vapor lock, follow these steps. First, if you are on the freeway, stay in your car. Wait
until a member of the highway patrol comes to help you get to the side of the road. However, if it is safe to push the car
to the side of the road by yourself, do it. Once you are at the side of the road, lift the hood and place a wet cloth on the
fuel line and the fuel pump. If you do not have a wet rag, then just sit there until things cool off. Once you have cooled the
line so that the gasoline is no longer boiling, wrap the rag around the line. Better yet, carry some tinfoil in your car. Tinfoil,
wrapped around the line, carries the heat away. When the car has cooled down, get back on the road, and act as though
nothing had happened. (7 signal words)
2. If you are going to be recording a lot of tapes, it would be wise to follow these steps. Find a brand and type of tape that
works well in your machine and stick with it. This will save you money in the long run, since tape is cheaper when bought
by the case. Then, when unwrapping a new tape, fast-wind it all the way through and then rewind it back to the beginning.
This will free up any sticking that may have developed in the tape while it was stored. Following this step, check the
microphone and line level controls. If the recorder has separate controls, turn down the one for the input you¹re not using,
to prevent unnecessary noise in recording. Finally, be sure that the recorder¹s bias and EQ switching are set to the correct
position for the tape in use. (4 signal words)

DEFINITION Exercises

1. By self-esteem, we refer to the evaluation which the individual makes and customarily maintains with regard to himself or
herself; it expresses an attitude of approval or disapproval, and indicates the extent to which an individual believes
himself to be capable, significant, successful, and worthy. In short, self-esteem is a personal judgment of worthiness and
is expressed in the attitudes that the individual holds towards himself. It is a subjective experience which the individual
conveys to others by verbal reports and other overt expressive behavior. (4 signal words)
2. Creativity is known as the act of bringing something new into the world, whether a symphony, a novel, an improved layout
for a supermarket, a new and unexpected casserole dish. It is based first on communication with oneself, then testing
that communication with experience and the realities one has to contend with. The result is the highest, most exciting
kind of learning. (2 signal words)
END OF THE ROAD SIGNALS – STOP Exercises


1. Garlic is used in various old-fashioned, cure-all remedies. A syrup made from garlic is said to cure colds. A clove of garlic
wrapped in a wet cloth and kept on the chest will relive the discomforts of bronchitis. And garlic really can be soothing
when rubbed on insect bites. Garlic does contain an antibiotic, allium, which doctors use to lower high blood pressure in
patients. Consequently, garlic¹s value is not all superstition. (1 signal word)
2. Basically, my grandmother was an extremely thrifty person. She was one of those people who hoard pieces of used
aluminum foil after carefully scraping off the cake icing or beef gravy. She had a drawer full of old eyeglasses that dated
back at least thirty years. The lens prescriptions were no longer accurate, but Gran couldn’t bear to throw away “a pair of
good eyeglasses.” She kept them “just in case,” but we could never figure out what horrible situation would involve a
desperate need for a dozen pairs of old eyeglasses. We never realized the true extent of Gran’s thriftiness, though, until
after she died. Her house was to be sold, and therefore we cleaned out its dusty attic. We donated some of her
belongings to charity, and some were sold. On the whole, we made a decent amount of money and decided to donate
that to charity as well. (2 signal words)

PRACTICE IN RECOGNIZING SIGNAL WORDS Exercises

Classification Definition Space

classes is near
features that is across
sorts we mean to the right
 
Stop Time Sequence
hence next
in summary last
accordingly after

Activity 2

Please circle the signal words in the passage below and then identify the various types used.

1. Creative thinking usually involves five stages (classification). First (time sequence) , the problem is defined. Second (time
sequence), creative thinkers saturate themselves with as much information as they can find. Then (time sequence)
comes the incubation stage. Next (time sequence), problem solving moves to an unconscious level and the mind
ponders different possible, or even impossible, solutions. The incubation stage (classification) is followed by (time
sequence) illumination. By illumination, we refer to (definition) a period of sudden understanding or insight. Finally (time
sequence), there is the verification stage when solutions or answers are critically evaluated. (9 signal words)
2. If we study a child’s handwriting, certain personality types (classification) are revealed. First (time sequence), if children
have handwriting that is slanted only a little to the right or is straight up and down, they have a moderate temperament
and use good judgment. This type (classification) is usually affectionate and sharing. Second (time sequence), if the
handwriting slants to the far right, they are usually emotional children who react quickly. Their quick responses are often
negative responses. The third (time sequence) type (classification), children who write with a backhand slant, are very
logical, unemotional, and sometimes very insecure. Therefore (stop), their world seems to revolve around themselves
rather than around friends and loved ones. (7 signal words)

Flemming, Reading for Results, Houghton Mifflin Co., MA 1993.

Langan, Reading and Study Skills, McGraw-Hill Book Co., NY 1989.

Vogel & Lehmann, Fundamentals of College Reading, Prentice Hall, NJ 1993.

Wassman & Rinsky, Effective Reading in a Changing World, Prentice Hall, NJ 1993.

Contact Us

Mo - Fr 8 am - 5 pm

Reading, Advising, & Mentoring Program

15-Library Room 2919
909-869-4349 
909-869-3120
ramp@cpp.edu

Social Media