Welcome to SMIRK Unit
6 - Signal words


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Continuation and
directional words

This information has been produced by the EBE Learning Development Centre. If you are a student in this school, you have access to their blackboard community. You can also contact your own learning development centre for further help.

Continuation words
These words work as signals; this means that there are more ideas to come.  These words occur within sentences, not at the beginning.   

and also another
again and finally  first of all 
furthermore in addition more
moreover   next   one reason
other secondly similarly 
too with  

Change of direction words
These words mean: ‘Watch out - we are changing direction of the argument’. These words occur within sentences, not at the beginning.

although but conversely  
despite different from  even though
however    in contrast instead of 
the opposite on  the contrary on  the other hand  
rather    still  yet
while though   
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Sequence and
illustration words

Sequence Words

These words indicate that there is an order to the following ideas, discussion or description.

first, second, third A,B,C  in the first place   
for one thing then  next 
before now after 
while  into   until
last   during since 
always  later  earlier

Illustration Words

These words let the reader know that an example will follow.

for example   specifically  for instance
to illustrate  such as  focusing on
in the same way  including
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Emphasis and cause
words

Emphasis Words

These words and phrases signal that the information provided is important.           

a major development importantly  a significant factor
most of all   a primary concern most noteworthy
a key feature  the basic concept  a central issue       
It should be noted a distinctive quality   the critical criteria
above all   the main value especially relevant 
the crux of the matter important to note  the principal item

Cause, Condition or Result Words

These words indicate that an explanation is following.

because  if of
for     from so
while   then  but
that until   since
as  whether  in order that
so that   therefore  unless
yet   thus due to
resulting from  consequently  
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Spatial and contrast
words

Spatial Words

These words demonstrate the direction of the argument.

between  on  by    outside    next to  
here  there left inside  near
right    these close to alongside upon
near  this side over      opposite
middle  beside about out below   
under   away in front of far adjacent   
across into   behind in    above
toward beyond      

Additional and Contrast Words

These words occur within sentences, not at the beginning.

and     or   also too   best
most either  less less than more than
same  better even then    half
much as   like analogous to but though
still yet however although opposite  
rather   while different from    
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Conclusion, fuzz and
emphasis

Conclusion Words
These words indicate the end of a discussion.

as a result consequently   finally     therefore from this 
in  conclusion   in summary hence    

Fuzz Words
The idea is not definite, or the author wishes to qualify a statement.

almost  if     purported maybe   could  
suggested except   should alleged nearly   
might     reputed probably  may assumed
possibly  implies indicated some    seems   
supposed        

Emphasis Signals
These are graphic formatting words that highlight specific words, ideas or sections.

Underline never use this on a web page or blog, as it indicates a live link Numbered points (1, 2, 3) Italics beware of using this on a web page
Short sentence:
  • Bullet point   
Bold type
Indentation of paragraph  “Quotation marks” Graphic illustrations     
1.2 Subheading  

That is the end of our section on signal words.

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