Y06W21VC Word Roots — -path- (feeling / suffering)

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

Word Breakdown: -path- (root meaning 'feeling / suffering')

Example: A writer shows empathy when they portray a character's struggle in a way that makes the reader truly feel it.

Synonyms: understanding, compassion, sympathy

Collocations: show empathy, empathy for others, develop empathy

Feelings of care, concern or pity for someone who is suffering or in difficulty.

Example: She expressed sympathy for the characters in the story whose homes had been destroyed by the disaster.

Synonyms: compassion, pity, concern

Collocations: express sympathy, have sympathy for, in sympathy with

Producing a feeling of sadness or pity. In informal contexts, it can also mean inadequate or feeble.

Example: The author described the abandoned village in pathetic terms, hoping to move the reader to compassion.

Synonyms: pitiful, sad, moving

Collocations: a pathetic sight, a pathetic attempt, feel pathetic

The way in which something is organised or arranged. As a verb, to organise something in a planned way.

Word family: structure (n./v.), structural (adj.)

Example: A clear structure helps the reader follow the argument from the introduction through to the conclusion.

Synonyms: organisation, framework, layout

Collocations: the structure of, clear structure, structure an essay

To arrange or put something in order so that it works efficiently or effectively.

Word family: organise (v.), organisation (n.), organised (adj.)

Example: Good writers organise their ideas before they begin drafting to ensure the argument flows logically.

Synonyms: arrange, plan, order

Collocations: organise ideas, well-organised, organise information

A particular order in which things follow each other. As a verb, to arrange things in a set order.

Word family: sequence (n./v.), sequential (adj.)

Example: The writer used a clear sequence of events to guide the reader through the timeline of the conflict.

Synonyms: order, series, progression

Collocations: in sequence, a logical sequence, sequence of events

A section of a piece of writing that begins on a new line and deals with one main idea.

Word family: paragraph (n.)

Example: Each paragraph in a persuasive text should begin with a clear topic sentence that states its main idea.

Synonyms: section, passage, block

Collocations: write a paragraph, a topic sentence starts each paragraph, paragraph structure

The quality of forming a whole that sticks together in a logical and consistent way. In writing, the smooth linking of ideas and sentences.

Word family: cohesion (n.), cohesive (adj.), cohesively (adv.)

Example: Using linking words and pronouns improves the cohesion of a text by helping ideas connect smoothly.

Synonyms: connection, unity, flow

Collocations: textual cohesion, improve cohesion, a sense of cohesion

‘Firstly’ introduces the first point in a sequence of ideas or steps.

Example: Firstly, read the question carefully so you know exactly what to answer.

Synonyms: first of all, to begin with, first

Collocations: firstly, the; firstly, students should; firstly, it is important