What You Need to Know

Key Concept Diagram

Word choice (diction) is never neutral: connotation, register, and level of technicality all shape the reader's response

Sentence types (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex) create varied effects — short sentences create impact; long ones create flow or complexity

Modality refers to the degree of certainty or obligation expressed: high modality ("must", "will") vs. low modality ("might", "could")

Passive and active voice change the focus and the agent of an action: active foregrounds the actor; passive can obscure responsibility

Key Vocabulary

Connotation

The emotional or cultural associations attached to a word beyond its literal dictionary meaning

Modality

The degree of certainty or obligation in a statement, expressed through modal verbs like "must", "should", "might", "could"

Active voice

Sentence structure where the subject performs the action (e.g., "The government introduced the policy")

Passive voice

Sentence structure where the subject receives the action, often obscuring the agent (e.g., "The policy was introduced")

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

What is the difference in effect between "The company caused the pollution" (active) and "Pollution was caused" (passive)?

There is no difference in meaning or effect The passive removes accountability by omitting who caused the pollution The passive makes the company more responsible The active voice is incorrect grammatically

Question 2

A government document states: "Citizens must comply with the regulation." The word "must" indicates:

Low modality — suggestion only No modality High modality — strong obligation Tentative modality — uncertainty

Question 3

The words "home" and "residence" have the same denotation but different connotations. What does "home" connote compared to "residence"?

"Home" sounds more formal and official There is no difference in connotation "Home" is a technical, specialised term "Home" connotes warmth, belonging, and emotion; "residence" is more neutral and formal

Language Choices & Effect