USING GRAMMATICAL

SIGNALS IN DEVELOPING
IDEAS
Prepared by Mrs. JONETTE C. LANDAYAN
 GRAMMATICAL SIGNALS

•Grammatical signals are

writing devices that serve to
maintain text coherence.
THEY CAN BE DIVIDED
INTO TWO (2) TYPES:
 Sentence connectors are used to link two sentences
using grammatical signals or a semicolon.

Example:
James already knows the title of the song. He downloaded its lyrics.

James already knows the title of the song; he downloaded its lyrics.

James already knows the title of the song, so he downloaded its lyrics.
 Clause connectors are used to connect two clauses
to form a sentence. They are joined by a comma.

Example:
Kim’s parents will be able to attend the PTA meeting. They will be a little bit
late.

Although Kim’s parents will be able to attend the PTA meeting, they will
be a little bit late.

James already knows the title of the song, so he downloaded its lyrics.
 THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES
ILLUSTRATE THE APPROPRIATE USE OF
GRAMMATICAL SIGNALS IN COMBINING
SENTENCES
 A. GENERAL TO PARTICULAR

This uses specific details in writing where a topic sentence or a general idea
is followed by the supporting details.

Example: Topic Sentence: The color of the metal changes when its
temperature changes.

Supporting Details: When metals become very hot, it begins to

glow. First, a metal will glow a dull red color. Then, when the
metals become hotter, it changes to a bright red hot. At higher
temperatures, it becomes yellow and finally white.
The topic sentence is usually found at the
beginning of the sentence. The sentences that
come after it are the supporting/specific
details. Now, the signal words helped the
writer with the flow of the idea.
 B. CLAIM AND COUNTERCLAIM

The word claim refers to your opinion about something based on what you
know or what you have studied.

Example: Succulents are just easy to take care of because

they can survive even with only a little amount of water
supply. Also, they can be left any time of the day under
the sun.
 B. CLAIM AND COUNTERCLAIM

Meanwhile, the word counterclaim is something that contradicts the claim.

It further challenges the opinion

Example: While majority have found out that the succulents are just
easy to take care of, some still think that they have to exert more
effort in taking care of them. Yes, they can be given only a little
amount of water, however, one should also be careful not to put water
on their leaves, or else, they will turn yellow. Not all succulents want
to be placed under the sun. In fact, some just want to be in a bright
shaded area.
 B. CLAIM AND COUNTERCLAIM

Meanwhile, the word counterclaim is something that contradicts the claim.

It further challenges the opinion

Example: While majority have found out that the succulents are just
easy to take care of, some still think that they have to exert more
effort in taking care of them. Yes, they can be given only a little
amount of water, however, one should also be careful not to put water
on their leaves, or else, they will turn yellow. Not all succulents want
to be placed under the sun. In fact, some just want to be in a bright
shaded area.
 C. PROBLEM – SOLUTION

This provides corresponding remedy to a

conflict. This allows the writers to think of
possible solutions to certain problems being
encountered in everyday life.
 C. PROBLEM – SOLUTION

Example:
Problem: Nowadays, one challenge being dealt by parents is the addiction to
online games of their children. Some even skip meals because they are
engrossed in playing.

Solution:
One way to resolve this is for the parents to give a certain time for the
children to be allowed to play the games, and that they should be strict
about it.
 COMPARE AND CONTRAST

When writers compare, they show the similarities between two

subjects. When they contrast, the differences between two subjects are
featured. This manner of idea development exposes not the obvious,
but the “little of the differences or their unpredicted similarities of
things.”

Example: Let us compare and contrast face-to-face learning versus

modular/TV learning. We can list down the things they have in
common and the things wherein they differ
EXAMPLES:
• Face-to-face learning, as well as the modular learning, uses reading
materials in dealing with the lessons. (comparing

• The lessons are discussed by elders to the learners; however, instead

of teachers discussing the lessons in face-to-face learning, parents’
guide the learners this time in the modular learning. (contrasting)

• Just like in the face-to-face learning, a teacher discusses the lessons in the
televisionaided instruction. Unlike face-to-face learning where the teacher
is physically present in the classroom, the learners only watch on a
television while a teacher discusses in the television-aided learning.
(comparing and contrasting)
 CONTINUATION SIGNALS

They tell that the writer’s idea is going to continue in the same
direction. Information related to the idea presented is added whenever
these signals are used.

Example: South Korea is known as the “Land of the Morning Calm”

because of its picturesque landscape. Moreover, it boasts of its
captivating mountains, clear waters, and serenity especially in the
morning
 CAUSE AND EFFECT

In simple words, a cause is the reason why something

happened, and the effect is the result of that action.
“When an author gives reasons why something
happened, he or she is explaining what caused an effect
(reasons are causes and the thing that happens is the
effect).” They can be written as causes and effects or as
effects and causes.
EXAMPLES:

(cause-effect)
Since the students are not required to be physically present in school,
new students will not be buying new sets of uniforms yet.

(effect-cause)
New students will not be buying new sets of uniforms yet since they
are not required to be physically present in school.