Cheatsheet

Semantic patterns

• Inference → Fact → Conclusion /Reason / Result / Action-Result

• Contrast → Then vs. Now / Although / Despite / Partial Concession

• Reasoning → All but / Unlike / Also

• Time → Before / Now / At this moment

• Condition → Given / Even if / Participial clause

• Process → Begins / Underway / Can be undone

• Effect → Makes / Leads to

• Prediction → Long-term / Casual

• Organization → Ranked ideas / Action series (modal + verbs)

Sentence qualities

• Crisp → fast, clear, easy, effective. Clarity and readability. Feels lighter.

• Tight → precise, controlled, dense, economical. Precision and efficiency

• Elegant → polished, smooth, sophisticated, flow, graceful. Grace, sophistication, or aesthetic pleasure

Pro strategy: Combine them when possible. A sentence can be crisp, tight, and elegant — sharp, efficient, and polished all at once.

Rhetorical effect of style

• Strong rhetoric → Persuasive, Argumentative, Critical

• Moderate rhetoric → Deliberative, Comparative, Interpretive

• Light rhetoric → Speculative, Discursive

• Low rhetoric (by default) → Expository, Analytical, Descriptive, Narrative, Reflective

Rhythmic variety

Every sentence makes a point. Too many short sentences overwhelm the reader with constant points, while too many long sentences increase the effort required to reach each one. A good paragraph balances the two.

• Syntactic Variety: Using different sentence lengths to keep the reader engaged.

• Pacing: The speed at which the reader consumes the information.

• The “Punchy” Conclusion: Using a short sentence at the end of a long paragraph to summarize the point.

Edit

• Main point is either in the start or the end of the sentence

• Words between the subject and the verb.

• Topic prominence

• A single thought per sentence.

• Thoughts are linked

• Where does the main emphasis fall?

• What part carries the emphasis?

• Cognitive load

• What is important? What draws attention?

• Can you bolster the point of the sentence?

• Unnecessarily busy?

• Main info should not be slipped as background: not in subordinates, not in adjuncts

• Redundant info?

• Specifics: Any occurrence of more than one word for a single lexeme (openly disregard → flouting)

• Specific NP (users → readers)

• Adv + verb → specific verb: show clearly → demonstrate, go on → continue

• General verb + abstract noun → precise verb. Typically make/do/have/take/give/get specific: make decision → decide

• Stranding

• Dangling modifier

• Keeping the Anchor (the start) lean and simple, the Punchline (the end) carries all the power.

• Info package: Balanced, theme feels proper, strong subject, easy to grasp and follow topic, correct Theme/Subject/Topic

• Paragraph cohesion, “Baton”. No gaps.

Information package

Device	Marked Form (a)	Unmarked / Basic Form (b)
Preposing	This one you can keep.	You can keep this one.
Postposing	I’ve lent to Jill the only copy that has been corrected.	I’ve lent the only copy that has been corrected to Jill.
Inversion	In the bag was a gold watch.	A gold watch was in the bag.
Passive	The car was driven by Sue.	Sue drove the car.
Existential	There was a doctor on board.	A doctor was on board.
Extraposition	It’s clear that she is ill.	That she is ill is clear.
Cleft	It was Kim that suggested it.	Kim suggested it.
Pseudo-cleft	What I need is a cold drink.	I need a cold drink.
Dislocation	It’s excellent, this curry.	This curry is excellent.