Signal words are words or phrases that are used to indicate the purpose or meaning of a sentence or a paragraph. They are helpful in guiding readers to understand the main idea or the relationships between different parts of a text.
In the context of the question, signal words are used for the following purposes:
1) Providing examples: Signal words like "for example," "such as," or "for instance" are used to introduce examples that support or illustrate a point. For example:
- "Many fruits are healthy, such as apples, bananas, and oranges."
- "He loves playing different sports, for example, basketball, soccer, and tennis."
2) Asking questions: Signal words like "what," "why," "how," or "who" are used to introduce questions. These signal words indicate that the following text will provide an explanation or discuss a topic in more detail. For example:
- "What is the purpose of this experiment?"
- "How does gravity affect the motion of objects?"
3) Giving explanations: Signal words like "because," "since," or "therefore" are used to introduce explanations or cause-and-effect relationships. These signal words help readers understand why something is true or how one thing leads to another. For example:
- "The experiment was successful because we followed the instructions carefully."
- "She didn't study for the test, therefore, she didn't perform well."
4) Making comparisons: Signal words like "similarly," "in contrast," or "on the other hand" are used to introduce comparisons or contrasting ideas. These signal words help readers understand the similarities or differences between different concepts or situations. For example:
- "Both dogs and cats make great pets. Similarly, they require love and care."
- "In contrast to his brother, John prefers tea over coffee."
These signal words play an important role in guiding readers to understand the purpose and meaning of a text, and they help in organizing and connecting ideas effectively. By recognizing and understanding signal words, readers can better comprehend the overall message and structure of a piece of writing.