Information Expansion: Resources and Graphic Signs

The Expansion of Information

A) Expansion of Information Resources

• Apposition

  An apposition is a word or phrase that is positioned immediately after another and that serves to explain something because of consequence (explanatory apposition) or to add information that differentiates and specifies (specifying apposition). Example: "Water, the vital element, had a strong presence in that garden."

• The Example

  The example serves to define or specify a general statement. Example: "My neighbor is a consumer; for example, his greatest happiness is walking through the malls on weekends in order to buy pleasure."

• Sentences with Adjectives and Explanatory Specifications

  Examples: "The students, who study, will pass" and "The students studying will pass."

• Paraphrases for Clarification or Reformulation

  Paraphrases are used to restate the message, usually to facilitate understanding, to introduce new shades of information, ratings, or outlook. We use them when we want to emphasize the importance of something, to reformulate ideas and expose them more understandably, or to qualify a significant synonym.

  The connectors used are: that is, in other words, rather...

• Citations

  Citations are fragments of other texts that are reproduced or quoted, indicating the author and year.

• Footnotes

  Footnotes refer the receiver to documentary sources.

B) Graphic Signs

They are very important elements of cohesion in written texts.

• Comma

  The comma is used to insert the apposition, the relative explanatory, the vocatives, etc.

• Long Dashes and Parentheses

  Long dashes and parentheses are used to introduce and explain data.

• Brackets

  Brackets are auxiliary signs.

• Two Points

  Two points introduce enumerations, examples, text citations, etc.

• Numerical Figures

  Numerical figures are used to guide and organize the footnotes on a page. You can also use the asterisk itself.

• Quotes

  Quotes are used to enter citations, or direct style, in the text and to highlight any word.

• Ellipsis

  The ellipsis is used to leave open the end of an enumeration or a sentence with an expression of doubt or fear.