Reading Comprehension Success in 20 Minutes a Day, 3rd Edition

L e a s t I m p o r t a n t t o M o s t
I m p o r t a n t
Some writers prefer the opposite approach, depending
on the subject and the effect they want their writing to
have. Rather than 
starting
with the most important
idea, they prefer to 
end
with what is most important.
Not only do they leave you with a strong concluding
impression, but they also take advantage of the “snow-
ball effect.” The snowball effect is the “buildup” or force
that a writer gets from starting with what’s least impor-
tant and moving toward what’s most important. Like
a snowball, the writer’s idea builds and builds, gets
bigger and bigger, more and more important. By start-
ing with the least important point, writers can also
create suspense—the reader is waiting for that final
idea. And each idea or item builds upon the ones that
come before it (as in a snowball).
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O R D E R O F I M P O R TA N C E
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6 2

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Here’s an example of a passage that builds from least important to most important. Read the passage, mark-
ing it up as you go along. Answer the questions that follow.
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O R D E R O F I M P O R TA N C E
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6 3
There are a number of reasons why the current voting age of 18 should be low-
ered to 16. First, a lower voting age in the United States would encourage other
countries to follow this example. Many countries are discussing and debating the
pros and cons of lowering the voting age, and if the United States gives 16-year-
olds the right to vote, it will serve as an important example for the rest of the
world.
More importantly, if 16-year-olds are old enough to engage in other adult
activities, then they are old enough to vote. In many states, 16-year-olds can work,
get a driver’s license, and engage in many other adult activities that make them
mature enough to vote. If, at 16, a young person is old enough to manage the
responsibilities of work and school, then it is clear that they are responsible
enough to make informed decisions about politics and politicians.
But the most important reason why the voting age should be lowered to 16
is that it will decrease apathy and cynicism while stimulating a lifelong interest
in political participation. Many young people feel as though their opinion
doesn’t matter. By the time they reach voting age, they are often disenchanted
with politics and cynical about the entire political process. If the voting age was
lowered to 16, young people would know that their opinion does count. They
would be inspired to exercise their right to vote not just as young adults but
throughout their lives. The long-term results—a much higher percentage of
interested voters and better voter turnout—will benefit our entire nation.
In the following spaces, list the reasons the author
provides for why the voting age should be lowered 
in
the order in which they are listed in the passage
. In the
next set of blanks, list those same reasons 
in their order
of importance
.