ACT: The Language of the Test: The Language of the Test, List 3

To emphasize is to stress or call attention to something. Writers use a variety of techniques to emphasize certain ideas.

To highlight is to emphasize. Think of when you use a highlighter to make certain words stand out in color. Writers highlight ideas without highlighters; they use language.

To underscore something is to give it emphasis, a little extra oomph. Think about underlining something that you are reading because you want it to stand out. Authors underscore ideas by using strong language or rhetorical devices. This word has a lot in common with highlight; you may see either or both of these words on the ACT Reading Test — usually to refer to how an author makes certain ideas stand out in a passage.

Although the word address might make you think of your street address, when you see address on the ACT, it is most likely being used in the sense of "to discuss a topic or issue." For example, a reading passage might address the effects of automobiles on air pollution.

On standardized tests, you'll see refer a lot, especially in questions that read, "The author refers to X primarily to suggest..." In this context refers to means "brings up." You might also see the noun form reference used in a similar way.

The verb cite has nothing to do with the nouns sight or site. When you cite something, you are giving credit where credit is due in a piece of writing. You can cite a source formally with a citation (like you would in a research paper) or you can informally cite something as you refer to it in a piece of writing.

Tone refers to an author's attitude or point of view toward his or her subject. A line, paragraph, or an entire passage could be described as communicating a gloomy tone, an optimistic tone, a playful tone, a critical tone, etc. You get the idea.

To reinforce is to make stronger. An author can refer to specific examples or make specific claims that reinforce a main idea. For example, an author might use data to call attention to increased water pollution in her state, and then include a personal story about fishing in a polluted river in order to reinforce her point.

When you restate something, you say or write it again. This word isn't only used to refer to exact repetition, however. A passage could restate an idea using different terms, and you could restate the main idea of a passage using your own words.

When you see the word develop on the ACT Reading Test, it usually has to do with developing ideas throughout a piece of writing. A writer cannot usually make his or her case in one sentence; a good argument requires the development of ideas over the course of several paragraphs.

To convey is to communicate, either directly or indirectly. You might be asked about the ideas a writer is trying to convey.

On the ACT, you may see the phrase "to advance a point" or "to advance a claim." This is a formal way of saying that the writer is developing or pushing a particular idea forward. Think of advancing an idea as giving it a little extra push so that readers will be sure to notice it.

The verb elaborate has to do with fleshing out ideas. Your English teacher might ask you to elaborate if you make an undeveloped point in an essay.