GLA GLA Writing Skills and Composition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of transition words and phrases in GLA writing?
- To make the essay longer
- To signal relationships between ideas and guide readers smoothly from one point to the next (Correct answer)
- To introduce new arguments not connected to the thesis
- To replace evidence when none is available
Correct answer: To signal relationships between ideas and guide readers smoothly from one point to the next
Transitions like 'furthermore,' 'however,' and 'as a result' show how ideas are logically connected, improving the flow and coherence of an essay.
Question 2: How does a writer establish credibility in a GLA argumentative response?
- By using emotional language and personal opinions throughout
- By citing specific textual evidence, using accurate information, and reasoning logically (Correct answer)
- By writing as many paragraphs as possible
- By avoiding any counterarguments
Correct answer: By citing specific textual evidence, using accurate information, and reasoning logically
Credibility in argumentative writing comes from grounding claims in accurate evidence, logical reasoning, and acknowledging the complexity of the issue.
Question 3: What does 'audience awareness' mean in the context of GLA writing tasks?
- Knowing how many people will read your essay
- Adjusting tone, vocabulary, and content to suit the intended reader (Correct answer)
- Writing informally since the grader is just one person
- Using slang to make the essay relatable
Correct answer: Adjusting tone, vocabulary, and content to suit the intended reader
Audience awareness means recognizing who will read the writing and making deliberate choices about language, tone, and content to communicate effectively with that reader.
Question 4: Which revision strategy most effectively improves the clarity of written arguments in GLA essays?
- Adding more adjectives to every sentence
- Re-reading to check that each claim is clearly stated and directly supported by evidence (Correct answer)
- Increasing paragraph length without adding new ideas
- Removing all transition words to save space
Correct answer: Re-reading to check that each claim is clearly stated and directly supported by evidence
Effective revision focuses on ensuring every claim is precise, every piece of evidence is relevant, and the logical connections between ideas are explicit.
Question 5: What is the key difference between editing and revising in the GLA writing process?
- They are the same step in the writing process
- Revising focuses on ideas, structure, and argument; editing focuses on grammar, spelling, and mechanics (Correct answer)
- Editing changes the content; revising fixes punctuation
- Revising happens before drafting; editing happens before drafting too
Correct answer: Revising focuses on ideas, structure, and argument; editing focuses on grammar, spelling, and mechanics
Revision addresses higher-order concerns like argument strength and organization, while editing corrects surface-level errors in grammar and punctuation.
Question 6: How should students properly integrate source material in GLA written responses?
- Copy full paragraphs from the passage without quotation marks
- Use direct quotes or paraphrases with an attribution phrase indicating where the evidence comes from (Correct answer)
- Avoid referencing the passage to show original thinking
- Only cite sources in the introduction, not body paragraphs
Correct answer: Use direct quotes or paraphrases with an attribution phrase indicating where the evidence comes from
Proper source integration involves attributing borrowed ideas or words to the original text using phrases like 'According to the passage…' or 'The author states…'
GLA GLA Writing Skills and Composition 2
What is the primary purpose of transition words and phrases in GLA writing?