Add or delete sentences
60 flashcards covering Add or delete sentences for the ACT English & Reading section.
Adding or deleting sentences is an essential editing skill in writing, where you decide whether to include a new sentence to enhance clarity, provide evidence, or strengthen the flow, or to remove one that's unnecessary, repetitive, or off-topic. This process ensures that a piece of writing remains focused, logical, and engaging, making it easier for readers to follow the main ideas without distractions.
On the ACT English section, these questions typically appear as multiple-choice prompts that ask you to evaluate a passage and choose whether to add a sentence for better support or delete one that weakens the overall coherence. Common traps include sentences that seem related but actually introduce irrelevant details or disrupt the logic, so watch for inconsistencies in tone or argument. Focus on the passage's purpose, such as maintaining unity or improving transitions, to make the right choice.
A good tip: Always ask if the sentence advances the main idea.
Terms (60)
- 01
Adding a sentence
Adding a sentence means inserting new text into a passage to improve clarity, provide support, or enhance flow, ensuring it fits the context and purpose of the writing.
- 02
Deleting a sentence
Deleting a sentence involves removing text from a passage that is irrelevant, redundant, or disrupts the flow, helping to maintain focus and conciseness.
- 03
Adding for clarification
Adding a sentence for clarification introduces details that make an idea easier to understand, such as explaining a term or concept without altering the main argument.
- 04
Deleting irrelevant details
Deleting irrelevant details removes information that does not support the main topic or thesis, preventing the passage from wandering off course.
- 05
Adding transitional sentences
Adding transitional sentences helps connect ideas between paragraphs or sections, improving the overall coherence and logical progression of the text.
- 06
Deleting redundant phrases
Deleting redundant phrases eliminates repeated ideas or unnecessary words that do not add new value, making the writing more concise and direct.
- 07
Adding supporting evidence
Adding supporting evidence includes facts, examples, or quotes that back up a claim, strengthening the argument and making it more persuasive.
- 08
Deleting unsupported opinions
Deleting unsupported opinions removes personal views that lack evidence or relevance, ensuring the passage remains objective and credible.
- 09
Adding to maintain unity
Adding a sentence to maintain unity reinforces the central theme by linking disparate ideas, preventing the paragraph from feeling disjointed.
- 10
Deleting for coherence
Deleting for coherence involves removing elements that interrupt the logical flow, such as abrupt shifts in topic that confuse the reader.
- 11
Adding for emphasis
Adding a sentence for emphasis highlights key points by restating them in a stronger way or providing additional context, without overwhelming the text.
- 12
Deleting for conciseness
Deleting for conciseness cuts out wordy or unnecessary parts to make the passage more straightforward and easier to read.
- 13
Adding background information
Adding background information provides essential context that helps readers understand the topic, especially if the passage assumes prior knowledge.
- 14
Avoiding contradictory additions
Avoiding contradictory additions means not inserting sentences that conflict with the main argument, as this would undermine the passage's consistency.
- 15
Deleting repeated ideas
Deleting repeated ideas removes instances where the same point is made multiple times, reducing redundancy and improving efficiency.
- 16
Adding concluding sentences
Adding concluding sentences wraps up a paragraph or passage by summarizing key points or providing a final thought, giving a sense of closure.
- 17
Deleting introductory fluff
Deleting introductory fluff eliminates overly general or unnecessary opening statements that delay the main content without adding value.
- 18
Adding examples
Adding examples illustrates abstract concepts with specific instances, making the passage more relatable and easier to comprehend.
- 19
Deleting vague statements
Deleting vague statements removes imprecise language that could confuse readers, ensuring all points are clear and specific.
- 20
Strategy for sentence placement
A strategy for sentence placement involves deciding where to add a new sentence based on the passage's structure to maximize its impact on flow and logic.
- 21
Common traps in deletion
Common traps in deletion include accidentally removing essential details that support the main idea, which can weaken the overall argument.
- 22
Balancing additions and deletions
Balancing additions and deletions ensures the passage remains focused and engaging by adding only what's necessary and removing what's excessive.
- 23
Adding to develop ideas
Adding to develop ideas expands on initial points with more depth, such as explanations or subpoints, to fully explore the topic.
- 24
Deleting to improve focus
Deleting to improve focus removes digressions or tangents that distract from the primary thesis, sharpening the passage's direction.
- 25
Recognizing author's intent
Recognizing author's intent involves considering the original purpose of the passage when deciding to add sentences, ensuring they align with the tone and goals.
- 26
Avoiding over-deletion
Avoiding over-deletion means not removing too much content that could leave the passage incomplete or lacking necessary support.
- 27
Adding details for vividness
Adding details for vividness incorporates descriptive elements that bring ideas to life, making the writing more engaging and immersive.
- 28
Deleting for grammatical reasons
Deleting for grammatical reasons involves removing sentences that contain errors or inconsistencies that disrupt the standard rules of English.
- 29
Role of context in additions
The role of context in additions requires ensuring that new sentences fit the surrounding text in terms of style, time period, and subject matter.
- 30
Pitfalls of unnecessary additions
Pitfalls of unnecessary additions include making the passage longer without adding value, which can bore readers or dilute the main message.
- 31
Deleting tone-shifting sentences
Deleting tone-shifting sentences removes elements that change the overall mood, such as from formal to casual, to maintain consistency.
- 32
Adding to connect ideas
Adding to connect ideas bridges gaps between thoughts, using phrases or sentences that link one concept smoothly to the next.
- 33
Ensuring additions match style
Ensuring additions match style means that new sentences adhere to the passage's voice, vocabulary, and structure for a seamless integration.
- 34
Deleting for brevity in arguments
Deleting for brevity in arguments cuts out non-essential parts to make persuasive writing more impactful and easier to follow.
- 35
Adding counterarguments
Adding counterarguments introduces opposing views to strengthen the main argument by addressing and refuting them, adding depth to the discussion.
- 36
Removing biased language
Removing biased language deletes words or sentences that show unfair prejudice, promoting neutrality and objectivity in the text.
- 37
Adding transitional words
Adding transitional words within sentences helps guide the reader through complex ideas, improving readability and logical connections.
- 38
Deleting awkward phrasing
Deleting awkward phrasing removes clumsy or unnatural expressions that hinder the flow, resulting in smoother and more professional writing.
- 39
Strategy for add/delete questions
A strategy for add/delete questions is to evaluate how the sentence affects the passage's purpose, relevance, and coherence before deciding.
- 40
Identifying redundant information
Identifying redundant information involves spotting repeated content that doesn't enhance understanding, making it a prime candidate for deletion.
- 41
Adding supporting details
Adding supporting details provides specific facts or descriptions that bolster the main points, making the argument more convincing.
- 42
Deleting extraneous examples
Deleting extraneous examples removes additional illustrations that are not directly related, keeping the passage concise and on topic.
- 43
Maintaining flow through additions
Maintaining flow through additions ensures that new sentences enhance the progression of ideas without causing abrupt changes.
- 44
Avoiding deletion of key points
Avoiding deletion of key points means carefully preserving essential elements that directly contribute to the passage's core message.
- 45
Adding for rhetorical effect
Adding for rhetorical effect includes sentences that use techniques like repetition or questions to engage readers and emphasize important ideas.
- 46
Deleting for clarity
Deleting for clarity removes confusing or ambiguous parts that obscure the meaning, resulting in a more straightforward passage.
- 47
Recognizing tangential sentences
Recognizing tangential sentences involves identifying those that veer off the main path, making them suitable for deletion to stay focused.
- 48
Adding evidence from text
Adding evidence from text incorporates references or quotes from the passage itself to support claims, enhancing credibility.
- 49
Deleting opinions in facts
Deleting opinions in facts removes subjective statements from objective writing, ensuring the content remains based on evidence.
- 50
Impact of additions on length
The impact of additions on length considers how new sentences affect the overall word count, balancing detail with brevity for optimal readability.
- 51
Deleting to eliminate repetition
Deleting to eliminate repetition targets echoed ideas to avoid monotony and keep the writing fresh and engaging.
- 52
Adding for completeness
Adding for completeness fills in gaps in the argument or explanation, ensuring all aspects of the topic are adequately covered.
- 53
Deleting disruptive elements
Deleting disruptive elements removes sentences that interrupt the rhythm or logic, fostering a more harmonious passage.
- 54
Adding to enhance persuasion
Adding to enhance persuasion introduces elements like appeals to emotion or logic that make the argument more compelling and effective.
- 55
Deleting for precision
Deleting for precision eliminates vague or overly broad statements, allowing the passage to convey ideas with exactness and accuracy.
- 56
Strategy for contextual additions
A strategy for contextual additions is to ensure new sentences align with the passage's setting, audience, and purpose to avoid mismatches.
- 57
Avoiding additions that confuse
Avoiding additions that confuse means not including sentences that introduce unrelated complexities, keeping the text accessible.
- 58
Deleting to strengthen tone
Deleting to strengthen tone removes elements that weaken the intended mood, such as overly casual language in a formal piece.
- 59
Adding introductory context
Adding introductory context provides necessary setup for complex topics, helping readers grasp the material from the start.
- 60
Recognizing over-addition
Recognizing over-addition involves spotting when extra sentences make the passage bloated, prompting selective removal for better balance.