Weighing the case
Read for meaning first. Select a highlighted word if you want a closer look.
An editorial group was choosing essays for a community anthology. The members were cognizant of a potential conflict: several contributors were their friends. To keep the discussion focused, they reviewed anonymous drafts first. A preponderance of the written evaluations favored one essay for its clear structure and distinctive observations. A later check of its supporting material became pivotal to the final selection.
The group stayed cognizant of the limits of its scoring sheet. A preponderance of favorable evaluations mattered, but the editors still needed to understand the reasons behind them. The source check was pivotal because one central quotation had been attributed incorrectly. After the writer corrected it, the editors could assess the essay on an accurate basis and explain their decision clearly.
Before you move on
Look away from the passage. Can you explain each focus word in your own words?
Original fictional passages for vocabulary practice.