Language Functions

Language Functions: Signal Words

They identify the tasks or purpose of language. Or they are signals or what to do, look for, how to respond to a text or question.

Functions: You know these!

• Cause and Effect: Results of something

• Compare and Contrast: how are this alike and different

• Explain and Describe: define and describe

• Propose and Support: offer solution, defend a position, justify

• Sequence: step-by-step or summarizing event

Cause and Effect: Signal Word and Phrases

Because/because of... After

if.... then... , leads/led to/caused

Since, Thus, as a result

when, stems from, Brought about

after, Therefore, consequently

Multiple Select

Click on all Cause and Effect Signal Words

• Resulted in

• Because of

• Thus

• Express

• caused

Compare and Contrast Signal Words

• in contrast... Just like

• compared to... __er/__est

• similarly ... both

• shared/in common... Unlike

• are the same.... on the other hand

• Whereas.... opposed to... alternatively

Multiple Select

Check the Compare & COntrast Signal Words

• Compared to

• Whereas

• in contrast

• next

• on the other hand

Explain and Describe Signal Words

• is known for... defined by... for example

• shows... illustrates... in essence...

• has... have... is/are... refers to

• consists of... defined by...

• includes/contains... consists of

• 
  

Open Ended

What are some explain and describe signal words?

Proposition and Support Signal Words

• Think/Believe... one reason that... claim

• Argue for/against... evidence for/against...

• as I see it... according to... problem/solution

• in support of/against

• opinion... agree/disagree

Poll

Vote for the Proposition and support Signal Words

• Believe/According to/agree/disagree/in support of/opinion

• because of/therefore/one reason for/when/if...then

• unlike/like/compared to/similarly/both

• first/second/third/fourth/before/after/prior to

Sequencing Signal Words and Phrases

• first, second, third, and so on...

• in the past... currently... eventually... over time

• prior to... before/after... simultaneously... previously

Multiple Choice

Sequence can be signaled by words that have something to do with...

• time and steps in a process

• jumping to conclusions

• cause and effect

• writing

• reading