ACT English Rhetorical Skills: Transitions, Concision and Clarity

Not every ACT English question is about grammar. Many ask what makes the writing clear, concise and focused.

Transitions: match the relationship

A transition tells the reader how two ideas relate. Decide the relationship first, then pick the word.

• Contrast: however, but, yet, on the other hand, nevertheless.
• Cause and effect: therefore, as a result, consequently, so.
• Addition: also, furthermore, in addition, moreover.
• Example: for example, for instance, specifically.
• Sequence: first, then, next, afterward, finally.

Concision: shortest correct answer wins

When every choice is grammatical and keeps the meaning, choose the shortest. Watch for repetition (“past history,” “each and every,” “the reason is because”) and padded phrases (“due to the fact that” for “because”).

Pronoun clarity

A pronoun must clearly point to one noun. If “he,” “it” or “they” could refer to two things, replace the pronoun with the noun it stands for.

Adding, deleting and moving sentences

• Check the writer's stated goal in the question. The right answer must accomplish that exact goal.
• Keep a sentence only if it supports the paragraph's main point. A true detail that goes off topic should be cut.
• For order questions, look for words that point backward or forward, like “this,” “however” and “first.”

Practice questions

1. The library's hours were cut last year. ___, attendance has dropped.

   • A. For example
   • B. However
   • C. As a result
   • D. Meanwhile
   Show answer and solution

   Answer: C. The drop in attendance follows from the cut hours, so the relationship is cause and effect. “As a result” fits. “However” signals a contrast and “for example” introduces an instance, neither of which is present.

2. Which choice is the most concise and keeps the meaning? ___

   • A. The reason the team lost was because they were tired.
   • B. The team lost on account of the fact that they were tired.
   • C. The team lost because they were tired.
   • D. The team lost, and the reason is that they were tired.
   Show answer and solution

   Answer: C. “The team lost because they were tired” says the same thing in the fewest words. The others add “the reason … was because,” “on account of the fact that” or an extra clause.

3. Sam told Luis that he had left the keys on the bus. Which revision makes clear that Luis was the one who left the keys?

   • A. Sam told Luis that Luis had left the keys on the bus.
   • B. Sam told Luis that he himself had left the keys on the bus.
   • C. Sam told Luis that they had left the keys on the bus.
   • D. Sam told Luis that the keys were left on the bus by him.
   Show answer and solution

   Answer: A. Naming Luis removes the doubt. In the other choices “he,” “himself” and “him” could still point to Sam, and “they” changes who left the keys.

For grammar questions, see ACT English practice questions with answers.

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