Clauses are Arguments
Independent Clauses Emphasize Claims
Since it lowers the crime rate by giving free heroin to the addicts,
the program won’t help them end their addiction.
While it doesn’t help addicts end their addiction, the program reduces the crime rates in the city by providing the addicts free heroin in the cleanest way possible.
Dependent Clauses Minimize Objections
While the addicts will unfortunately remain dependent on heroin, the city will have the opportunity to thrive.
Although this program might save the city, the addicts will still be dependent on heroin.
EXERCISE:
Does the author want to emphasize the cost or the benefit?
- Although it costs more than my parents’ first home, I’ll be comfortable living in my new car when the time comes.
- While it’s more spacious than my first apartment, this car costs more than my parents’ first home.
- Even if I have to live in it some day, I’ll never get over the fact that this car costs more than my parents’ first home.
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Counterintuitive Fall 2022 
1. The benefit is more emphasized
2. The cost is more emphasized
3. The cost is more emphasized
1. In the first statement, the writer emphasizes benefit.
2. In the second statement, the writer emphasizes the cost.
3. In the third statement, the writer emphasizes the cost.
1. Although it costs more than my parents’ first home, I’ll be comfortable living in my new car when the time comes. ( This highlights benefit not cost since comfortable living is the emphasized over the cost)
While it’s more spacious than my first apartment, this car costs more than my parents’ first home. ( This highlights cost more than benefit even though it briefly mentions it being spacious )
Even if I have to live in it some day, I’ll never get over the fact that this car costs more than my parents’ first home.( This highlights cost yet again because it emphasizes the cost more so than the benefit )
1. The benefit is more emphasized. They are focusing on how they will be more comfortable.
2. The cost is more emphasized. Focuses on how the car is more expensive than their parents first home.
3. The cost is more emphasized. “I’ll never get over the fact” that it’s more expensive than their parents first home. Does not mention a benefit.
1. The author emphasizes the benefit.
2. The author emphasizes the cost.
3. The author emphasizes the cost.
1. The author emphasizes the benefit of getting a new car. The benefit the author emphasizes is that the car will be comfortable.
2. The author emphasizes the cost of getting a new car by stating the car cost more than his parents first home.
3. The author emphasizes the cost of the car by stating the fact that it is more expensive than his parents first home.
1. The benefit of getting a new car is emphasized.
2. The cost of the new car is emphasized.
3. The cost of the car is emphasized.
1. The benefit is emphasized. (His comfort)
2. The cost is emphasized. (The cars cost)
3. Cost is emphasized. (car costing more than parents home.)
I love your answers.
1. Did anybody ever tell you this before?
2. Are you surprised how easily you can emphasize benefits or costs with grammar?
3. Will you pay more attention to this simple and surprisingly effective technique in your writing?
1. The author wants to emphasize the benefit. (The benefit is his comfort).
2. The author wants to emphasize the cost ( The cost is the car).
3. The author wants to emphasize the cost ( The cost is the car is more than his parent’s home).