



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 |



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 |
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 |



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 |
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 |



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 |
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 |



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: |
|
Bold type |
| Indentation of paragraph | “Quotation marks” | Graphic illustrations |
| 1.2 Subheading |
That is the end of our section on signal words.


