HiSET Writing cheat sheet

Paragraph unity test: every sentence must support the topic sentence; delete or relocate sentences that introduce an unrelated idea.

Topic sentence: the most general sentence in a paragraph; it may appear first, or last for emphasis, and the other sentences explain or support it.

Chronological order uses time signals such as first, next, then, and finally; it suits narratives and process explanations.

Cause-and-effect order uses transitions such as because, therefore, and as a result to connect reasons with outcomes.

Contrast and comparison order uses however, although, similarly, and on the other hand to show relationships between ideas.

Order of importance arranges details from least to most important, or most to least, so the strongest point comes last.

Cohesion improves when pronouns refer clearly to earlier nouns; every pronoun needs one obvious antecedent.

A concluding sentence restates or summarizes the main idea without adding new evidence or a new topic.

In sentence-order questions, find the most general opening statement and the summarizing close, then test whether each sentence logically follows the one before it.

Concision rule: replace wordy phrases with single words, such as due to the fact that with because and at this point in time with now.

Parallel structure rule: items in a list or comparison must share the same grammatical form, such as reading, writing, and speaking.

Active voice: the subject performs the action, as in The committee approved the plan; it is usually clearer and more direct.

Passive voice: the subject receives the action, as in The plan was approved; use it when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

Dangling modifier rule: an introductory phrase must describe the subject of the main clause, not another noun.

Subject-verb agreement rule: ignore prepositional phrases between a subject and its verb, as in The box of tools is heavy.

Pronoun case rule: use object pronouns after between, as in between you and me.

Formal tone rule: avoid slang, clichés, contractions, and conversational language in academic writing.

Sentence variety rule: combine short sentences with subordinating conjunctions such as although, because, and when to show relationships.

Comma splice rule: two independent clauses joined by only a comma are incorrect; repair with a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating conjunction.

Semicolon rule: a semicolon joins two related independent clauses or separates list items that already contain commas.

Apostrophe rule: singular possessive adds apostrophe s; plural possessive ending in s adds only an apostrophe; its is possessive and it's means it is.

Subject-verb agreement rule: compound subjects joined by and take a plural verb; subjects joined by or or nor take the verb matching the nearer subject.

Pronoun-antecedent rule: a pronoun must match its antecedent in number and gender; everyone, each, and everybody are singular.

Comma rule: use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause before the main clause.

Restrictive clause rule: an essential clause is not set off by commas; a nonessential clause is set off by commas.

Capitalization rule: capitalize proper nouns, the first word of a sentence, and titles before names; do not capitalize seasons or general subject names.

Tense consistency rule: keep verbs in the same tense throughout a passage unless a shift is needed to show a change in time.