STEP 2: USE STRUCTURAL CLUES TO CONNECT THE SENTENCES IN SUCH A WAY
THAT THEY LOGICALLY FOLLOW THE TOPIC SENTENCE
The key to connecting the sentences is to keep in mind that endings connect with beginnings. Every sentence has to connect smoothly
to the next, without any ambiguity or loose ends. Structural clues are the tools that enable you to make these connections.
Your topic sentence says:The phrase “appear to be” should make you suspicious that despite the fact that porpoises and sharks appear similar, the author is
going to tell you how they are not similar. Therefore, it’s a good idea to actively look for a sentence that talks about differences. As
soon as you do this, voilá, Sentence R leaps out at you:
R.Important differences are apparent, however, to marine biologists who study these species.
This sentence starts by talking about the important differences that you predicted would be discussed. Furthermore, the sentence
uses the big Structural Clue “however.” “However” tells you that there is some type of contrast (i.e., that even though things seem
one way, in reality they are another).
Now that you’ve seen how the second sentence connects with the first, you have to think about how the second sentence will connect
with the third. Sentence R mentioned differences between porpoises and sharks generally. What do you think the next sentence will
address? Here’s a hint: Paragraphs tend to move from the general to the specific.
At this point, Sentence Q should be screaming for you to look at it:
Q.For example, the shark has gills, cold blood, and scales, whereas the porpoise has lungs, warm blood, and hair.
This sentence begins with the words “For example.” This is a pretty big clue that the rest of the sentence is going to present a
specific example of something. And this sentence delivers exactly what it promises. It discusses specific differences between
porpoises and sharks.
Sentence U picks up where Sentence Q ends: “From this contrast in features...” refers specifically to the physiological differences
mentioned in Sentence Q.
BE A DETECTIVE
Use your deductive reasoning skills. Scrambled paragraphs tend to move from the general to the specific.Porpoises and sharks appear to be similar in that they are streamlined, are good swimmers, and live in the sea.