252 WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition
communication modes: interpretive mode (listening, reading, and viewing) and expressive mode
(speaking, writing, and representing) are the two types of communication modes incorporated
into the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework’s Language Expectations and
Proficiency Level Descriptors.
conjunctions: words that combine clauses or sentences. Examples of conjunctions include the
following:
• coordinating conjunctions: a conjunction placed between words, phrases, clauses, or
sentences of equal rank such as and, nor, yet, so, but, and others.
• subordinating conjunctions: a conjunction that introduces a subordinate clause and creates
concessive, contrastive, and causal relationships (e.g, while, although, however, because). See
connectors.
connectors: text connectives, coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, and linking phrases
used to connect ideas in sentences and signal different relationships (causal, additive, chronological).
Connectors create cohesion and logical development across a text. Examples of connectors:
• addition: and, and then, furthermore, in addition, apart from that, furthermore, besides, along
with, again, along with
• cause/consequence: because, so, despite, nevertheless, even though, so, therefore,
consequently, due to, because of this, as a result
• comparison/contrast: but, for example, instead, in other words, however, in fact, in that case,
while, although, on the other hand, despite
• concession: while, although
• condition: if, unless
• purpose: in order to, so
• sequence: first, second, finally, in the first place, to start with, at this point, to get back to the
point, in short, all in all, to conclude
• time: when, then, next, afterward, after a while, at the same time, at this moment, meanwhile,
previously, before that, finally
connotation and denotation: While the denotation of a word refers to its primary, dictionary meaning,
connotation refers to a range of secondary, inferred, or associated significances and feelings a word
may imply. Most words have denotative and connotative meanings that speakers and writers interpret
within their contexts of identity, history, culture, and situation. For example, the dictionary defines
“cheap” as inexpensive. Yet, cheap may invoke connotative meanings of frugality and good value,
whereas in another situation, the word may convey stinginess and poor quality.
cross-disciplinary language: common academic language used across content areas, e.g.,
analyze, evaluate,
critique, identify, evidence,
analysis, summary, explanations.
See also everyday
language and technical language.
culture: practices and beliefs members of a group share. Cultural practices are dynamic—changing
based on context.
declarative sentence: a sentence with subject-verb order, typically used to make statements that are
not commands or questions. For example, declarative sentences evaluate and interpret events (e.g.,
The review describes how the author used the graphic novel format.)