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The Essay Section

For the Essay Section of the TSI, you will be asked to write a five paragraph persuasive essay (350-500 words) on a controversial issue or current events topic. You will be assessed on your ability to clearly state a main idea, provide specific examples and details to back up your main idea, and follow the …

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Modifiers

A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that adds detail or changes (modifies) another word in the sentence. Descriptive words such as adjectives and adverbs are examples of modifiers. The Role of Modifiers in a Sentence Modifiers make a sentence more descriptive and interesting. Look at these simple sentences. Notice how much more interesting …

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Essay Revisions and Transitions

A well-written essay should be easy to follow and convincing. The words should be well-chosen, and the transitions should be smooth. Content, Organization, and Coherence To revise an essay effectively, you must read through your own work with a critical eye. As you read, consider the content, organization, and flow of ideas. Content Every time …

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Active and Passive Voice

Active and passive voice are two different styles of writing that are used to create a certain effect. This lesson will cover how to recognize, form, and use (1) active voice and (2) passive voice in writing. Active Voice Active voice is most often used in non-scientific academic writing. In active voice, the subject of …

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The Writing Process

Effective writers break the writing task down into steps to tackle one at a time. They allow a certain amount of room for messiness and mistakes in the early stages of writing but attempt to create a polished finished product in the end. KEEP IN MIND . . . If your writing process varies from …

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Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies

In order to utilize language to the best of your ability while reading, writing, or speaking, you must know how to interpret and use new vocabulary words, and also understand how these words relate to one another. Sometimes words have the same meaning. Sometimes words are complete opposites of each other. Understanding how the words …

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